Family Events in Sydney City
American architect Harry Seidler built this house for his parents, Rose and Max. The original 1950s colour scheme has been restored, and the furnishings are by important post-war designers such as Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen. It’s run by Sydney Living Museums, and guided tours are available on request. The free karaoke rooms at Goros often fill out on Friday and Saturday nights, but while you’re waiting there’s plenty of arcade games (and drinks and snacks) to keep you busy. Discover the MCA’s collection with free guided tours running daily or explore the museum’s temporary exhibitions. Head upstairs to Canvas for a gorgeous lunch overlooking Sydney Harbour.
Mini adrenaline junkies will 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. Nine new rides were installed in 2021, promising more thrills for indoor things to do in sydney all ages. Raging Waters has more than 30 waterslides and rides, plus a beach and kids' play areas. They can tackle Bridge Climb and reach the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge or take on the outdoor Skywalk at Sydney Tower Eye, with its 360-degree views. Manly Surf School offers mixed lessons for adults and kids, so you and your groms-in-training can tackle the foam together.
It represents the epitome of the country’s creative endeavours and is a remarkable feat of... Escape rooms are definitely a favourite but if getting to one is a problem then why not try one from the comfort of your own home with this unique book. With just 60 minutes to escape from a labyrinth, you must take on the challenges and solve mysteries to finish the book. Spend the time learning how to ride one and impress their friends!. Maybe even a mechanic that loves fiddling and fixing things, this book will help create all sorts of gadgets. You will never believe what they can make with just a rubber band and the ideas between the pages.
There are loads of climbing frames, slides, swings and a fun water play area for cooling off in the Summer. For toddlers under 3, look for venues with dedicated soft play zones separated from older children. Many play cafes across the Inner West and North Shore also cater specifically to the under-3 crowd with age-appropriate toys and safe spaces. Most programs run for full days (typically 9am to 3pm) and cost $60 to $100 per day, with multi-day discounts available.
Nature's Energy's beautiful bath houses have to be the best bang for buck when it comes to sweating it out and scrubbing up in Sydney. There are three Nature’s Energy centres in Sydney (Balmain, Newtown and Glebe), each home to hot and cold plunges, saunas, scrubs and expert therapists on hand to help you along with your self-care journey. While there's bowling, arcade games and pool tables to show off your skills at Kingpin, it's the laser tag field that really gets our hearts pumping with childlike wonderment.
However, overcrowding and cleanliness issues warrant attention to enhance the overall experience for visitors. Darling Quarter offers a delightful and engaging experience for families, with its diverse play options and convenient amenities. Despite the weekend crowds, the playground’s overall appeal and surrounding attractions make it a highly recommended destination for a fun day out. This is the place to be on a rainy day with a whole network of interconnected trampolines, where you can play trampoline dodgeball, bounce into the huge foam pit and take on a challenging climbing wall.
There are many ways to get out and explore the harbour, and the age and interests of your whole family will play a significant factor in your decisions here, so here are just a few options. Greenwich Baths on the Harbour is another one of Sydney’s best kept secrets. There’s a café by a netted harbour pool, plenty of clean sand for kids to dig about in, plus sun lounges and loads of beach toys for visitors to use. Make the outing even more fun by getting there on a Sydney Ferry – the Woolwich/Balmain route docks at Greenwich Point just metres from the baths. Just a short walk from Darling Harbour, Barangaroo Reserve is a Harbourside park with incredible views of the harbour and The Anzac Bridge.
Under Five YearsThe permanent Wiggles exhibition is a must-see for younger kids (and grown-up fans like me!). You can ride in the Big Red Car, see loads of Wiggles memorabilia, and try many musical inspired activities. Play Studio is a beautiful boutique space, decked out in custom-built furniture and immersive play areas designed for hands-on creative and sensory exploration. Thrillophilia works with multiple attractions in Sydney as a reseller. The Archie Brother Cirque Electriq in Alexandria is the ultimate destination for a sensory overload, with all the glowing neon lights and sounds you would experience at a circus, but indoors.
Check out this Museum Educator Tamsin Birch guide if you and your family are new to Australia and want to learn more about Aboriginal history and culture. Sydney is full of great places to visit and educational opportunities for kids of all ages. The great playground in the Darling Quarter and, of course, the Chinese Gardens of Friendship are beautiful and cheap. Book a super affordable Bloomin Botanical walk – a treasure hunt with Adventure Clues – if your family enjoys going on games like the Amazing Race.
Joel has a serious addiction to mountain hiking and is a bona fide beach bum. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain to travel fearlessly, he has explored from the Himalayas to the Andaman Sea, honing over a decade's worth of travel writing experience. The rainy season in Sydney typically occurs during the autumn months (March to June). The vibrant Emerald City has a whole lot to offer indoors - from museum runs and wine-tasting delights to a cozy library and high tea extravaganzas.