Family Fun: Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
Are you a parent who loves arranging great experiences for your children? Then you can’t miss these activities in Sydney!
With fun things to do for children of all ages, Sydney is one of the best cities in the world to explore with kids. Whether you have a toddler or a young teenager, Sydney has something for everyone.
Today, allow us to share some of those activities with you – here’s our list of 18 things to do in Sydney with kids, so that preparing your itinerary becomes a breeze.
Things To Do with Toddlers in Sydney
When in Sydney, a visit to the WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, situated at the heart of Darling Harbour, is a must.
The zoo houses both common and exotic endangered species, including the Tasmanian Devil, Goodfellow’s Tree kangaroos, and koalas.
Give your toddler the experience of exploring the largest collection of Australian animals and plants, meticulously arranged across 10 interactive zones.
Additionally, you can interact with the animal keepers to gain more insights about the various species.
Address: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Wheat Road, Sydney NSW, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 9.30am to 5pm
If your little one has a strong fascination for animals, visiting Taronga Zoo is highly recommended.
The short ferry ride from the city to reach this zoo is an exciting journey for young families.
Top it off with a visit to the sprawling bushlands of the zoo, home to 5000 animals from 350 species, and it’s guaranteed to be a memorable time for you and the family, especially if you have a young toddler with you.
Experience fascinating animal presentations featuring seals and free-flight birds that will leave your kid awestruck.
And, of course, don’t forget to capture some amazing photos with your family amidst the lush green lands and the iconic Sydney skyline.
Address: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia (map)
Opening hours:
Summer: Mon to Sun, 9am to 5pm
Winter: Mon to Sun, 9am to 4.30pm
Looking to give your child an exclusive experience with Australian native animals?
Then Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park is the place to be. Home to 2000 Australian native animals from 260 different species, it’s another top activity to enjoy with toddlers in Sydney.
From dingos, wombats, and bilbies to Tasmanian devils – you name it, and it’s here.
Moreover, you can enjoy observing koalas in their natural habitat and get up close with them – an experience your little one is sure to love.
Address: 217 Kildare Rd, Doonside NSW 2767, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 8am to 5pm
Give your child an experience of the world beneath the waters at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
With nine marvellous themed zones hosting 300 aquatic species, you can see the best of Australia’s marine life here.
Let your kids travel through the beautiful underwater tunnels while schools of fish swim above their heads.
Also, introduce them to penguins and a range of other exotic marine species here.
Address: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Wheat Road, Sydney NSW, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 10am to 4pm
Kids Activities in Sydney
Are you wondering where to take your young kids for fun in Sydney?
Don’t worry; there is a host of kid-friendly activities in Sydney that your child will find interesting. Here, we have compiled the top ones:
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Enjoy a delightful family day out in Sydney at Luna Park, a charming heritage site.
With its vintage allure and thrilling rides, this amusement park truly stands out.
The safe and kid-friendly thrill rides, along with family-friendly attractions, provide the perfect setting for creating lasting memories with your kids.
Engage your young child with interesting games on-site, ensuring it becomes an epic experience for the whole family.”
Address: 1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point NSW 2061, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Mon to Thurs: 10am to 8pm, Fri & Sat: 10am to 10pm, Sun: 10am to 6pm
Captivate your child’s curiosity with an exciting whale-watching cruise.
This 3-hour tour effortlessly blends fun and education into a memorable experience.
What’s cool is you can climb aboard a high-speed boat featuring two levels of decks as you sail into the open ocean.
Specially designed for whale watching, the vessel ensures unhindered views of the sea from its two observation decks.
Address: Wharf 6, Circular Quay, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia (map)
Another top attraction for families in Sydney is the Australian National Maritime Museum, one of the city’s best museums and a must-visit when you’re in town.
Situated at Darling Harbour, this is the place to discover awe-inspiring stories about the ocean.
The museum boasts the world’s largest and most diverse in-water fleets, featuring 14 navy vessels, including a Cold War submarine.
Whether taking a leisurely stroll through the harbour or boarding a vessel, you’ll be treated to captivating tales of marine adventures.
It’s an experience your kids will love!”
Address: 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000 (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 10am to 4pm
Family Activities Sydney with Young Teenagers
Travelling with young teenagers?
We understand the challenge; keeping teenagers engaged can be a task in itself.
But not in Sydney.
Here are some family activities in Sydney to keep your young teenager intrigued during the trip.
Go sandboarding with your young teen at the beautiful dunes off Birubi Beach, Anna Bay.
The dunes stretch for 32 kilometres and reach as high as a ten-story building.
Get trained on how to use custom-designed boards for maximum speed and safety.
Let your children enjoy the adrenaline rush while they slide up and down the sandboard.
The guide will be present to look after safety as well as train your kids on how to be a sandboarding whizz in no time!
Address: Lower Car Park, James Paterson St Anna Bay, NSW, 2316 (map)
Immerse your child in a one-of-a-kind virtual reality experience at this VR Escape Room nestled in Sydney CBD.
Virtual Room Sydney offers an award-winning VR adventure, providing the whole family 40-50 minutes of immersive and unique entertainment.
These engaging games are designed to be played in groups of 2, 3, or 4 players.
And you can transport yourselves to historic times like the moon landing or ancient Egypt, solve challenges, escape from a room, or fight zombies!
Address: Level 5, 393 George Street, Sydney NSW, 2000 (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 10am to 10pm
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Give your child an experience of a lifetime by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Children aged eight and above are allowed to climb this iconic landmark, making it a great bonding experience for you and the family
The view from above is breathtaking – the harbour, the Opera House, and the rest of the city skyline will linger long in the memory.
Pro tip: Go during sunset for an extra special experience.
Address: Sydney Hbr Brg, Sydney NSW, Australia (map)
The perfect place for history enthusiasts and opera lovers, the Sydney Opera House is an iconic location where you can relive glorious moments from various concert hall performances.
Booking a tour of this world-renowned landmark is perfect for admiring the beauty of the city and enjoying scenic views.
Don’t forget to take lots of pictures with your kid!
Address: Sydney Opera House, Sydney Australia (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 9am to 5pm
Madame Tussauds is a standout among the various family attractions in Sydney.
Let your children be introduced to the icons they’ve seen on screen at Madame Tussauds.
Explore different themed zones, like PRIDE inspired by Sydney’s legendary Mardi Gras party, and others.
And capture moments with famous personalities and music superstars such as Troye Sivan and Taylor Swift.
Address: Madame Tussauds Sydney, Wheat Road, Sydney NSW, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 10am to 4pm
Family Day Out in Sydney with Older Children
Travelling with older children who are about to enter their adulthood soon?
Well, this is a perfect time for you to create lovely memories before they spread their wings and create their own world.
And Sydney is the perfect place to do so.
Here are our top picks for things to do:
A visit to Australia is not complete without exploring its native foods – the bush foods.
Walk through the Botanic Gardens while exploring these bush foods and how they have adapted to the modern palate.
This one-hour tour is tailor-made to let you taste the best bush foods in the market and explore their health benefits.
An amalgamation of culinary experience and cultural exploration, this tour is a perfect way to bond with your not-so-little kid.
Address: The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Visitor Centre, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 (map)
Want to gift your child the experience of watching an opera at the iconic Sydney Opera House? How about attending Mozart’s favourite show, ‘The Magic Flute’?
It’s a fascinating tale of love, trials, and transformation.
The beautiful music and amazing storytelling will leave you and your child awestruck.
And watching it while sitting at this iconic building is an experience you and your kids will never forget.
Address: Sydney Opera House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Take a beginner’s surf lesson from local and international surf coaches at the beautiful Bondi Beach.
With limited students, instructors can provide personalised attention to each participant.
Learn safety rules, warm up, and then discover how to paddle.
And soon enough, you’ll be catching waves and standing up.
The professional instructors make it as enjoyable as possible, and you get to pick up a new hobby with your child. Doesn’t that sound awesome?
Address: 128 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi, 2026, NSW (map)
Inspire your teen by visiting The Powerhouse Museum, another of the city’s top museums and a contemporary hub of art, science, design, and innovation at the heart of Sydney.
With over 500,000 items curated over 125 years, this museum encapsulates the best of Australia’s social history, science, technology, design, and much more.
The museum also hosts various exhibitions from time to time, covering various topics.
If your child loves art and history, this place is a must-visit!
Address: 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia (map)
Opening hours: Open daily, 10am to 5pm
Other NSW Attractions for Families
Camden Valley, situated on the outskirts of Sydney, offers a picturesque landscape.
Enjoy this beautiful valley from above as you ride with your kids in a hot air balloon.
Float over the treetops and relish the morning breeze in your hair. The entire experience takes 3.5 to 4.5 hours, and breakfast is served after the flight.
Trust us; this will be a hot favourite with your children.
Address: Camden Valley Inn, 290 Remembrance Drive, Cawdor, NSW 2570 (map)
Kids Activities in Sydney - A Final Word
It is often said, “Don’t tell your children about the world, show them.” and it can’t get better than Sydney.
It is a perfect place to make memories with kids. From toddlers to young teenagers, there is something in Sydney for every kid to enjoy and explore.
