The best autumn school holiday activities in Sydney

It wouldn't be Easter in Sydney without a visit to the Easter Show. Showbags, woodchopping contests, baby animals, roller coasters, stunt cars, showbags, fruit and veg displays, cake decorating comps, fireworks... did we mention showbags? Yep, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is back at Sydney Showground from April 2-13, 2026 with all the old-time favourites – and plenty of new offerings as well.

The Art Gallery of NSW is a fab, kid-friendly space that allows creative minds to wonder and wander. The Nelson Packer Tank has hosted some incredible exhibitions, but the layout of Mike Hewson’s The Key’s Under the Mat might just take the cake. Explore the space as it’s transformed into a playground for the young and old alike, featuring swings, monkey bars, a real sauna and steam room, showers, and barbecues slinging sangas. On till August 2026. Entry is free. Find out more here.

At Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, there are tons of things to keep the kids busy, have fun and learn while they're at it. These Easter school holidays, take the kids to watch Lewis Carroll’s absurd and wickedly clever classic Alice in Wonderland brought to life (April 4-19). If your kids love plants, the hands-on holiday program 'Budding Bontanists' lets them uncover the secrets of leaves, flowers and plants. Another cool adventure is the Sunset Spotlight Tour (April 8 and 15) where you can experience the fascinating nightlife around the Garden by torchlight. While you're there, take a peek at the artworks of Pamela Pauline's series Where the Wild Things Grow (it's free). Find out more here.

Planning a trip to the eucalyptus-scented Blue Mountains these school hols? Be sure to add Scenic World in Katoomba to your list. Here, adventure comes in many forms – from the heart-pounding Scenic Railway to the glass-walled Scenic Cableway, offering jaw-dropping views of this heritage-listed national park. It’s perfect for anyone chasing sweeping vistas of the Jamison Valley and the iconic Three Sisters. From now until August 31, kids can do The Gruffalo Spotter's Trail, a self-guided, augmented reality experience where kids look out for all the creatures in the beloved Julia Donaldson book The Gruffalo, including the Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo – who are hiding in the deep, dark rainforest at Scenic World. 

Dinosaurs are stomping their way back to the Sydney Opera House with Erth's Dinosaurs – a show that blends puppetry with powerful storytelling. Premiering this April school holidays, it's packed with hair-raising encounters and humour that kids will love. Find out more here. 

Ninja Parc in South Granville is a perfect stop for kids wanting to burn off some steam while simultaneously finessing their parkour skills. This indoor obstacle course has rope climbs, bouldering challenges, vertical and horizontal doors, a sea of poles and the ever-classic ‘warped wall’. This gym-meets-play extravaganza is totally equipped to obliterate every last vestige of school holiday boredom. Start off by booking a trial class. Find out more here.

A full 90 years since its famous smile first lit up the Harbour, Luna Park is still Sydney's favourite vintage attraction. You'll be greeted by Martin Sharp's iconic clown face at the entrance, and get the chance to check out the park's new immersive experiences as well as old-school faves – including the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, which is back in action after a multi-million dollar restoration project. From sideshow games and thrilling rides to Coney Island and the ferris wheel, there's something for everyone. Ready?

When it rains in Sydney, it pours. So it pays to have a few wet-weather plans up your sleeve for when the kids are home and bored with YouTube and colouring in. Luckily, our city has a whole load of indoor playgrounds and kid-friendly museums as well as craft workshops, leisure centres and active areas to keep ’em busy. Click here to get inspo.

Coco Chocolate prides itself on making hand-made artisan chocolate meaning chocolate with higher cacao content, cacao butter and real vanilla. It opened its doors in 2004 in Kirribilli and produces all of its chocolate in Sydney. They are running a special Easter workshop at their Middle Head harbour-side location, The Sydney Chocolate School. Kids aged six year and older will learn the tricks of the trade from a French chocolatier and pastry chef who will teach them how to make chocolate hot cross buns and chocolates – which they get to take home – yum. Sign up here.

Nutcote is the harbourside home of May Gibbs (1877-1969),  Australia’s most loved children’s author and illustrator who is best known for The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie. Visit Nutcote in Neutral Bay to reminisce about Gumnut Babies and Banksia Men, learn about Gibbs and relax in the gardens. Find out more here.

Are you kids into culture, history and science? Take them to the Australian Museum where general entry is free. There are tons of interactive and hands-on workshops for kids including nature photography, being a scientist for a day, STEM sessions and documentary screenings. Get the full school holiday program here. 

Get the kids outside with these gorgeous walking routes in and around our beautiful city. From easy breezy coastal walks to half-day bush hikes and multi-day expeditions, Sydney is blessed with many different walking paths that will suit amblers of all abilities.

The new Urbnsurf Sydney is a good place to let kids blow off some steam if it's a sunny day. The "Bays" offer safe, gentle, rolling green and whitewater waves perfect for those who are learning to play in the waves. You can do a Boog in the Bays session, which is a great way for kids to build confidence on a bodyboard while developing fundamental skills. It's open daily from 6am till late. Keen? 

In Sydney, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to pristine stretches of protected wilderness that are just a stone’s throw from the heart of the city. Whether you and your kids like chasing waterfalls ot discovering stunning unspoilled beaches, NSW is home to an abundance of incredible national parks. We’ve rounded up our eight favourite ones that are within 100 kilometres of the CBD.

Hidden deep within the heart of Centennial Park is a playground like no other. Fit out with a wild tree house, bamboo forest, a water-play area, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds and dry creek beds, this ‘wild play’ locale is full of wonderful nooks and crannies that keep kids entertained and connected to the great  outdoors, all from within the controlled paradise of Centennial Park. Open 10am-5pm daily. 

Enrol the little dancer of the house into one of Sydney's most established dance school's school holiday workshops. The School Holiday Workshops from April 7-17, 2026 have everything from jazz and contemporary to commercial dance. The classes target both beginners and kids who have been dancing since they could walk, so find something that suits your child. Find out more here.

Would you believe kids as young as three can do indoor skydiving at iFLY in Penrith? It’s all about the "look mum, look dad" here, as the indoor skydiving takes place behind glass in the middle of the venue – so even being a spectator is fun. They also have a camera taking pictures throughout your ‘dive’ so you can purchase your most impressive pose – complete with G-force cheeks. Find out more here.

Exhausted all that Sydney has to offer? Jump in the car, and you'll discover a whole new world thanks to our round-up of the best day trips close to the city. Don't have a vehicle? This list of the best day trips to take using public transport should help.

Manly Surf School runs lessons across Collaroy, Long Reef, Narrabeen, Palm Beach, and, of course, Manly Beach – with daily dunks in the ocean to keep the kids entertained and active. You can book your kid into a single session or multiples, or into their school holiday program (various dates). You can even take a lesson along with them, if you're keen to upskill. 

Bowling is a lark for all ages, and Strike Bowling has multiple venues throughout Sydney, inclduing the harbourside location at King Street Wharf, complete with a cocktail bar and three escape rooms; the Entertainment Quarter location in Moore Park, as well as the Chatswood, North Ryde and Castle Towers bowling alleys.

Game on, Sydney. In early 2024, Australia’s very first interactive gaming rooms opened in Darling Harbour, offering full-scale, immersive versions of Squid Game, Ghostbusters and a whole lot more. Their offerings include Floor is Lava, Squid Game and Batman. Younger kids can also be part of the adventure with games featuring beloved characters from Paw Patrol and Angry Birds. You can find Immersive Gamebox next door to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. Find out more here.

This little pocket of Alexandria is the perfect place to hide out on a rainy day. You’ve got 9 Degrees for indoor climbing, Hijinx Hotel for group challenges, Holey Moley for mini golf, boozing for the grown-ups at Rocks Brewing Co, plus an arcade of retro games, bowling and laser tag at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Inside, there are bowling lanes, an interactive 3D theatre ride (our pick of the whole venue), a laser tag zone for kids, the tightest dodgem track you’ll ever come across, and a whole lot of arcade games. They've now also opened shop in Chatswood, Penrith, Entertainment Quarter and Castle Towers. Find out more here. 

The largest island in Sydney's harbour was once home to a convict gaol and a huge shipbuilding factory. Today, the island is run by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust – with many of the incredible old buildings still intact and waiting to be exploted. The trust run different types of tours – visitors can opt for a self-guided audio tour or on-demand guided tour (60 or 90 mins.) Those who want to stay on a bit longer also have options – there are camp sites, glamping packages, apartments or heritage holiday houses. Check out their tour offerings here.

The Fullerton is a hotel partly housed in what used to be the Sydney General Post Office (GPO), a heritage building that was built back in 1887. It was Sydney's first major development and regarded as a building that would come to symbolise Sydney in the way the Houses of Parliament in Westminster represent London, and the Eiffel Tower, Paris. You can discover the rich history of the building and the Post Office on the 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Their resident guide will take you on a journey through time, sharing the tales and legends of the city’s iconic grand dame. The tour is on every Tuesday to Saturday at 12 noon. Click here for more information.

Sydney's playgrounds are the perfect place to use up any pent-up energy. Let wriggly little ones run free at these parks and playgrounds that know how to entertain the real bosses of the household. Click through to see our top picks and find one you haven't been to before.

Want your kid to get benefit out of their screen time? Children aged 5-13 can develop valuable computer skills at a two- to three-day Code Camp. There are 121 Code Camp locations around Australia, though they can also join in online. Choose a camp based on their interests – coding, Minecraft, robotics and more. Check out their school holiday offerings here.

IMAX Sydney closed for a rebuild back in 2016, and after a longggg wait, it relaunched in October 2023, better than ever, in the W Sydney building. IMAX Sydney’s new movie screen is the third largest in the world, spanning a staggering 693 square metres. If you're looking to get the title of coolest parent ever, a seat in one of IMAX's private pods or recliner chairs might just bring you one step closer. 

If you're keen to get the kids away from their screens and into the great outdoors, camping is an excellent option. Camping sites near Sydney are not only plentiful, but they're also one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a mini-break. We've tried and tested some of our favourite campgrounds, located in New South Wales’ most breathtaking and secluded spots.

Get creative with the kids and take the mess out of the house. At these pottery studios around the city, getting your hands dirty is encouraged. The best news? You're making, not breaking, household items.

Sydney Olympic Park has you covered with an action-packed program for the school hols, designed for kids of all ages and abilities. Choose from swimming, diving, basketball, writing, cheerleading, table tennis, as well as all-day multi-sports camps. It's a chance for kids to acquire new skills and burn off energy while they're at it. Get the deets here. 

If the sun is shining, Sydney's sparkling shoreline is a magical place to spend a day with the family. We’ve cast our discerning eyes across pretty much every beach in the city, awarding points for accessibility, natural beauty, range of facilities and unique charms. These are our favourites.

Sometimes, a holiday day calls for a visit to the movies, especially when it's muggy or rainy outside. Order a bucket of popcorn and settle in for a family-friendly flick at one or the best cinemas in the city.

Bored of eating lunch at the kitchen table? We've rounded up the best picnic spots in the city. Our top pick for the most perfectly-Sydney alfresco feast? Chargrill Charlies by the ocean. 

Don't worry if it's rainy – Sydney is home to some pretty fascinating museums. You can learn about nature, science, design, ships, time, military history, society, the police force and more. Head out on a journey of discovery at these all-weather-friendly houses of knowledge.