The best summer school holiday activities in Sydney

The new Urbnsurf Sydney is a good place to let kids blow off some steam in the summer sun. The "Bays" offer safe, gentle, rolling green and whitewater waves perfect for those who are learning to play in the waves. To use The Bays, it's just $39 per kid. You can also do a Boog in the Bays session, which are a great way for kids to build confidence on a bodyboard while developing the basic, fundamental skills. It's open daily in summer from 6am til late. Keen? 

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. The 2025-26 summer holiday program includes Alchemy of a Rainforest, a sensory exhibition at The Calyx (open daily); Seedlings at Sydney, garden-based activities for littlies on specific Thursdays; Santa’s Studio with Christmas crafts for kids and Dreaming of a Green Christmas, both on December 22 and 23; and an outdoor theatre production of Wind in the Willows from January 7-25. 

Planning a trip to the eucalyptus-scented Blue Mountains this summer? 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. And until January 26, kids can step into Dinosaur Valley and wander among life-sized prehistoric creatures. With thrills, scenery and family fun all in one spot, it’s no wonder Scenic World has been named Australia’s most popular experience.

For a city whose history has always been entwined with its harbour, the sea and water travel, it shouldn't really come as no surprise that this museum is one of the finest when it comes to maritime treasures. The Australian National Maritime Museum's  Summer School Holiday program from December 19-February 1 is chock-full of fun free and paid activities. Activities include making seashore-related art and craft; an interactive discovery station; an exhibition on historic swimwear and beach memorabilia and much more. Also, when you buy your holiday ticket before December 19, you get 20% off. Find out more about their summer holiday program 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 immsersive experiences as well as old-school faves – including the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, which is back in action after a multi-million dollar restoration project. This year, they've got a brand-new Sydney Summer Pass which gives you entry to Luna Park and Raging Waters Sydney. You can also take an interactive journey to Hawkins and navigate the Upside Down in Stranger Things: The Experience or battle through challenges in Squid Game: The Experience. Ready?

Are you kids into culture, history and science? Take them to the Australian Museum where general entry is free. Exhibitions that are open all summer include Relics where you'll find intricate LEGO^® brick civilisations thriving inside objects from our past, all created by LEGO^® Masters winners; the 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition where every photo tells a story; and Wansolmoana which explores the ties Pasifika peoples have with the past and the environment. 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. Find out more here.

If the Art Gallery of NSW wasn't already on your radar for the school holidays, you might want to put it on now. The gallery is a super kid-friendly space for exploring art and it's a great place to foster creative minds. The Hive Festival for kids and families returns on January 17 and 18, 2026 and is all about the power of play. There will be heaps of hands-on activities, performances, tours and workshops, all of which are free. Find out more here. 

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.

Ninja Parc in South Granville is a perfect stop for kids wanting to burn off some steam while simultaneously finessing their parkour skills. Featuring rope climbs, bouldering challengers, 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. 

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.

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Nutcote, the harbourside home of May Gibbs (1877-1969). Australia’s most loved children’s author and illustrator is best known for The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and long-running cartoon strip Bib and Bub. Visit Nutcote in Neutral Bay to reminisce about Gumnut Babies and Banksia Men, learn about Gibbs and relax in the gardens. This Christmas, you can also buy a May Gibbs' Nutcote Gingerbread House. Please note, Nutcote will be closed from December 20, 2025 and will reopen on January 7, 2026. 

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.  

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 in the great outdoors. You can either book your kid into a single or multiple sessions, or into their summer school holiday program (various dates). You can even take a lesson along with them, if you're keen to upskill, too. 

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 new offerings include Escape AI, Floor is Lava and Batman, Young ones aged five and up 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.

If you’ve ever wanted to get seriously close to tigers (without there being a terrible ethical or safety problem in the way), this is your chance. Tiger Trek is an immersive, entertaining but also hugely educational experience that helps you make better supermarket choices to help protect the endangered Sumatran tiger's habitat. The Tiger Trek is included in your ticket to Taronga, so it's free to zoo attendees. Find out more here. 

Enrol the little dancer of the house into one of Sydney's most established dance school's school holiday workshops. The Summer School Holiday Workshops from January 5-23, 2026 have everything from jazz and contemporary to hip-hop and theatre jazz. 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.

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.

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 ($6 per person) or on-demand guided tour (60 or 90 mins; $16). 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 summer 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. 

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 summer 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. When we say this is huge news, we mean it. 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 summer 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. A perfect way to acquire new skills and burn off energy over summer. 

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 stinking hot 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.