Sydney is a fantastic city for kids, with an array of attractions that will keep them entertained all trip long. Families can enjoy everything from wildlife encounters at zoos and aquariums to interactive museums that bring history to life.
Explore the icons
When looking for things to do in Sydney with kids, the icons are a great place to start. Head to the harbour for views of Sydney Opera House and see for yourself why it’s one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Step inside for backstage or architectural tours or wander over to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a stroll. Have a child that's eight or older and isn't afraid of heights? They can tackle BridgeClimb and reach the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or tackle the outdoor Skywalk at Sydney Tower Eye, with its 360-degree views.
The Burrawa Indigenous Experience with BridgeClimb, Sydney
Find the top spots for little foodies
Sign up for a tour of the shiny new Sydney Fish Market which makes for a scenic spot to grab a bite to eat. There’s everything from fresh prawns and fish and chips to pastries and po boys on the menu. For authentic Asian cuisine, Chinatown serves everything from hand-pulled noodles to cream puffs and yum cha. Time your visit with Lunar New Year for plenty of colourful street celebrations. Nearby, Paddy’s Market at Haymarket has long been a city fixture for treats and fresh fruit. Inside you’ll also find the one-stop dining destination Hay St Market. This indoor food hub has 48 outlets serving dishes from around the world.
Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown
Little ones will love The Grounds of Alexandria, a sprawling cafe, restaurant, coffee roastery, bakery, florist and farm all rolled into one. Whether you opt for a leisurely breakfast in the alfresco cafe area or a three-course dinner in The Potting Shed, be sure to leave enough time to wander through the enchanting installations.
Discover Sydney’s wildlife
A trip to Taronga Zoo is a full-day adventure. Instead of driving, take the ferry from Circular Quay across sparkling Sydney Harbour so kids can also take in the Sydney Opera House from a new angle. The zoo has hundreds of animals to see, like Hari – a greater one-horned rhino, who lives at the Rhino Reserve with a trio of Asian water buffalos.
Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman
Spend a day in Darling Harbour where kids can get up close and personal with snakes, koalas and other furry native animals at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, then meet king penguins, sharks and turtles at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Travel a little further out to Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside and Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh, just on the edge of Sydney, to meet more furry friends. In Western Sydney, Sydney Zoo offers an open-air safari-style experience.
After even more quirky animal encounters? Find out where you can come face-to-face with capybaras, numbats, quokkas, owls and nudibranchs here.
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour
Stay indoors at Sydney’s museums & galleries
When it comes to culture, kids are spoiled for choice in Sydney. They can board a replica sailing ship and explore a submarine at the Australian National Maritime Museum while Hyde Park Barracks has immersive experiences that take you back in time to Sydney’s convict days. Budding history buffs can also learn more about early colonisation and Sydney’s First Nations presence at the Museum of Sydney.
Museum of Sydney, New South Wales
Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (which also has an on-site museum for avid sports fans), or explore more than 20 million pieces at the Australian Museum. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of NSW regularly host family-friendly exhibitions and children’s workshops. Sydney’s theatres and the Sydney Opera House host a range of productions, musicals and performances throughout the year, and spending a night watching a movie under the stars at an outdoor cinema is always a winner. For family shows and festivals, check out our events calendar.
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, The Rocks
If you’re happy to venture a little further west, Sydney’s largest museum, Powerhouse Parramatta, is set to open soon with five new exhibitions. Then head to Penrith’s Museum of Fire, where aspiring firefighters can spend a day tackling fire safety activities, computer games and puzzles.
Powerhouse Parramatta, Western Sydney - Credit: Andrea Mora
Get a thrill with action experiences
Mini adrenaline junkies can jump on a wild jet boat ride of Sydney Harbour or make a beeline for Luna Park, an amusement park that has been thrilling children since the 1930s. Ride the Ferris wheel and the rollercoasters, then try your luck at the carnival games.
Luna Park Sydney, Milsons Point
Venture out of the CBD to Western Sydney where thrill seekers can fly like a superhero at iFLY Downunder, soar into the air while strapped into a jetpack with Jetpack Adventures, ride the rapids of a man-made river at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, and walk on water at Cables Wake Park.
iFLY Downunder, Penrith
While out west, Sydney Olympic Park makes for a jam-packed day out for families, where they can learn a new skill at the Archery Centre and swim at the Aquatic Centre. Still have energy to burn? Race down water slides at Sydney Action Park or climb, swing and zip through the trees at TreeTop Adventure Park.
Sydney Action Park, Prospect near Blacktown
Tour Sydney's harbour & beaches
Sydney is famous for its fantastic weather, so make the most of it by getting out and about in nature. Sydney's many family-friendly beaches can be enjoyed all year round and there's one for every kind of swimmer, from floating in calm harbour coves to making a splash at a gorgeous ocean pool or taking on the waves with a surfing lesson at Manly, Bondi, Maroubra or Cronulla.
Want to bring pooch along too? Check out our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Sydney, from the sleepy town of Bundeena in the south to the tranquil Manly Lagoon in the north.
Camp Cove, Watsons Bay
Pack a basket (or swing by a cafe) and stop off to admire the city from one of its many picturesque picnic spots. One of the best places to park yourself is on the grassy slopes of Nielsen Park. Stick around long enough and you’ll catch a flaming sunset over the harbour.
There are many islands in Sydney Harbour, and a number of these can be reached with a quick ferry ride. The most interesting one for families is undoubtedly Cockatoo Island – learn about the city’s convict history on a self-guided audio tour, join the all-ages Dark Past Tour, spend the night in the camping accommodation, or simply take in the incredible views from the cafe.
Cockatoo Island Waterfront Camping, Sydney Harbour
Take the family on an outdoor adventure
For those that like a stroll, you’re in luck. One of the world's most picturesque paths is the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk which hugs the coastline. Follow it past clifftops, beautiful beaches and make a pit stop at one of the many ocean pools. In winter, this walk offers a great vantage point for whale watching.
Prefer parklands to beaches? Saddle up for horse riding in Centennial Park or let the kids run wild at the Ian Potter Children’s Wild Play Garden.
The Ian Potter Children's Wild Play Garden, Centennial Park
See the city on two wheels with a Bonza Bike Tour. Strap on a helmet and pedal around the harbour or Manly Beach while you take in the sights. A little further west, you can also take on the mountain bike trails through Western Sydney Parklands.
Bonza Bike Tours at Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney CBD
Enjoy rainy day activities
Don’t let the rain ruin your fun when there are still plenty of indoor attractions in Sydney for families to discover. Meet your favourite celebrities at Madame Tussauds or spend the day exploring the stores at Queen Victoria Building before sitting down to high tea. While you’re there, join the QVB History Tour and learn all about the historic monument on a 60-minute walking tour.
If you’ve got teenagers in tow, challenge them to a game at Strike Bowling, the interactive rooms at Hijinx Hotel or a round of arcade games at Archie Brothers.
QVB History Tour, Sydney - Credit: Vicinity Centres
