School Holiday Activities Sydney
If you’re reading this then chances are you’re looking for fun things to do in Syndey for the school holidays!
Well, breathe a sigh of relief. You have come to the right spot. We have done all the research for you and have come up with a list of school holiday activities in Sydney that are guaranteed to keep the kids entertained!
At Code Camp, we like to believe that we’re experts in FUN! And we know exactly what kids like when it comes to action-packed, fun-filled, awesome kids activities that will have them yelling best school holidays EVER!
Plus, we know that things are tough right now and it can be hard to find budget-friendly activities for the family. That’s why we have also compiled a list of cheap school holiday activities in Sydney – some of which don’t even cost a cent!
Oh, and if rain ruins plans? No sweat! We also came up with Sydney rainy day activities for kids just in case the weather fails to cooperate with your school holiday idea.
Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
Code Camp activities
Got a child who’s tech-savvy? Budding YouTuber in your midst? Then Code Camp should be your #1 thing to do these school holidays! Over 10,000 kids in Australia have been empowered through Code Camp’s in-person camps, online camps and after-school activities. From building and piloting their own drones at Drone Camp to learning how to mix and spin tunes at DJ Camp!
School Holiday Activities
Whether you’re on the lookout for free school holiday activities in Sydney that won’t cost a cent, or, are open to cheap school holiday activities in Sydney that won’t blow the budget, we’ve got the best school holiday ideas to suit all families.
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Ready? Ok, here are our top things to do in Sydney these school holidays 2022:
Your guide to School Holiday Activities in Sydney
Fun free school holiday activities in Sydney
A fun school holiday activity AND it’s free? Can we get a round of applause?! These free school holiday ideas in Sydney cost nothing but will give your kids a WHOLE LOT of fun!
1. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
Located in The Rocks, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is free fun for both big and small! The museum showcases a huge range of artworks and exhibitions designed to stimulate young minds. Over the school holidays, the museum offers a range of activities including family tours, art classes and activities at an additional cost.
2. The Rocks Discovery Museum
This museum is designed for family fun! The Rocks Discovery Museum is an interactive museum that encourages kids to explore and discover a unique collection of archaeological artefacts found at The Rocks. From indigenous artefacts such as boomerangs to old homewares dating back to the 1800s, this museum gives an insightful history to Sydney at no cost.
3. Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney
Set upon 30 hectares of lush parkland, the Royal Botanic Gardens boasts some of the most beautiful plants, trails and views of surrounding Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Take the kids for a picnic and then tag along on one of the free guided walks that run every day from 10:30am.
4. Blaxland Riverside Park playground
Would it be bold to say that Blaxland Riverside Park playground is one of the best playgrounds in Sydney?! This playground can be enjoyed by the whole family - yes, even the adults will enjoy it! There’s playground equipment for kids of all ages, there’s water play, there’s slides, swingsets, roundabouts, a towering jungle gym, and even a challenging course for teens and adults! Pack a lunch and enjoy it in the picnic area to top off a great day out.
5. Parsley Bay Reserve
This popular family park boasts an enclosed swimming area, children’s playground and a picnic area; keeping kids more than entertained! What’s more, just a short distance from the playground you’ll find a short bushland walking circuit that takes you to a waterfall! There is a wooden suspension bridge that goes over the bay and caves for kids to explore.
6. Day at the beach
Sydneysiders are blessed to have access to some of the best beaches! Why not take advantage of one of them these school holidays? Our pick? Clontarf Beach in Middle Harbour. Here you’ll find a netted swimming area (perfect for small children), a playground, toddler bike path, a sandy play area, BBQ facilities and toilets.
Cheap school holiday activities in Sydney
Want a fun school holiday activity and don’t mind spending just a little bit of money? Then check out our list of cheap school holiday activities in Sydney!
1. Taronga Zoo
Even if you have been here before, you’d want to go again! Taronga Zoo is one of the best Zoos in Australia starting with the short ferry ride from Circular Quay and the Sky Safari cable car up to the zoo! Once there, kids will enjoy seeing animals great and small including family favourites like the giraffe, tiger, elephant and meerkats! You can get an annual Family Pass for $99, permitting two children free entry all year ‘round!
2. Madam Tussauds
Let your kid meet their favourite star or get their picture taken with the Queen at Madam Tussauds! The wax museum features 11 zones of famous faces including Marvel heroes, sports stars, Hollywood actors and more! Children will love Justice League: A Call for Heroes with all the Marvel greats including Batman, WonderWoman and Spiderman!
3. Sydney Tower Eye
Sydney Tower is Sydney’s tallest structure and the second largest observation tower in the southern hemisphere! The kids will delight in seeing the city from way up high and walking the open-air glass-floored platform. There are free telescopes for kids to look through and a 4D cinema taking you through some of the sights and landmarks around Sydney. If your kids are under 15, you will need to accompany them at all times.
4. Treetops Adventure
Treetops Adventure sits at the furthest most tip of Western Sydney Parklands. It boasts 100+ aerial obstacles and tree ropes courses along with ziplines for children who love adventure! For younger children, the park also features a low-to-the-ground children’s course and trampolines. You can also hire a mountain bike or join a segway tour throughout the surrounding parkland.
5. RollerFit
Lace up your rollerskates and roll on over to RollerFit - an indoor recreational rollerskating rink that runs dance classes, roller discos, and rollerskating classes! RollerFit accommodates beginners right through to expert skaters.They also have a Juniors program for kids between 3 and 14, designed to teach kids the basics of rollerskating through a series of fun games and activities.
6. Nurragingy Miniature Railway
All aboard the Nurragingy Miniature Railway! Established in 2014, this attraction is super popular among kids and families. It’s a safe and enjoyable activity for all ages and perfect for train-obsessed children. The train ride is about 10 minutes in duration and takes in the natural beauty of Nurragingy Reserve that also boasts heaps of kid-friendly activities including water parks and the Chinese Chang Lai Yuan Gardens.
Rainy day holiday activities in Sydney
Don’t let rain put a dampener on your kids fun these school holidays! If you find the weather less than ideal, don’t worry – there are plenty of rainy day activities to do in Sydney so that you’ll never hear the words Im bored!!
1. SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Sydney’s Sea Life Aquarium takes kids on a magical underwater adventure. With nine amazing themed zones and hundreds of species of sea life including fish, dolphins, jellyfish and sharks, kids and big kids alike will want to stay here forever!
2. Visit a movie theatre
Going to the movies is always a treat! Luckily, Sydney boasts some of the best movie theatres including the IMAX theatre featuring the biggest movie screens in Australia as well as Ritz Cinemas, a heritage-listed cinema complete with opulent red curtains, velvet seats and a range of delicious cinema snacks.
3. JUMPd trampoline park
JUMPd is Sydney’s newest indoor trampoline park complete with an indoor Ninja zone where kids can channel their inner ninja and spend the whole day being social and active. Kids and adults of all ages can jump to their hearts content!
4. The Edge indoor rockclimbing
For something unique, why not take the kids indoor rockclimbing at The Edge?! The perfect rainy day activity, The Edge lets kids of all ages climb an indoor rockface, testing their agility and strength! The indoor climbing centre also offers abseiling, an indoor top rope, caving, and high ropes.
5. Kids cooking classes
What better way to spend a rainy day than by attending a kids cooking class? There are so many classes available, with many school holiday programs on offer. From chocolate making classes to sushi making, the kids will learn how to prepare and make their own meals in a supervised setting. Bon Appetit!
6. The Shine Shed all abilities indoor play centre
Shine Shed is an indoor play centre designed for all abilities. Your child can meet their sensory needs, develop skills and have fun on a range of play equipment and activities including swings, trampolines and a foam pit.
Easter holiday activities in Sydney
Want to make the kids Eater eggstra special? Try one of the following Easter holiday activities in Sydney for eggcellent family fun!
1. Sydney Royal Easter Show
No Easter in Sydney is complete without a visit to the Sydney Royal Easter Show! Kids will delight in all the rides and attractions including a giant toy box packed with fun and games, showbags filled with all their favourite treats, and the cute farm animals including sheep, alpacas, pigs and more!
2. Easter egg hunt
Nothing beats a good old fashioned Easter egg hunt! There are many venues across Sydney hosting their own easter egg hunts so keep an eye out for one in your local area! For a family day out, consider visiting a local park and hide chocolate easter eggs for the kids and local kids to hunt and find!
3. Enjoy easter high tea at The Sheraton
Enjoy a whimsical Easter at The Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, featuring a festive brunch of donuts, easter eggs, waffles and chocolate fountain! The hotel promises visits from the Easter Bunny himself and will deliver activities including egg hunts, showbags and giveaways.
4. Fairfield Easter Fair
The Fairfield Easter Fair is held annually at the Fairfield Showgrounds and offers a kids big day out complete with carnival rides, games, yummy food and a giant Easter egg hunt! The Easter Bunny also visits, making it a memorable Easter holiday activity for the entire family.
Christmas holiday activities in Sydney
Nowhere does Christmas like Sydney! Here are some of the best Christmas holiday activities in Sydney designed to fill kids with the magical Christmas spirit.
1. Visit Martin Place Christmas Tree
Grab the kids and head down to Martin Place to witness the lighting of the Christmas Tree! Martin Place Christmas Tree is the tallest Christmas tree in NSW, complete with over 110,000 LED lights and a 3.4-metre colour-changing star on top. Alongside the Christmas tree you can enjoy a free children’s concert, fireworks display and a visit from Santa.
2. Carols in the Domain
Nothing marks Christmas more so than Carols in the Domain. This annual Christmas extravaganza encapsulates Christmas with guest stars including The Wiggles and Santa himself! Sing along to all your favourite Christmas carols and enjoy the spectacular fireworks display.
3. David Jones Christmas window display
David Jones at Elizabeth Street reveal their incredible Christmas window display each year to the delight of kids and adults alike. There’s nothing more wonderous than gazing through the windows and seeing the kids faces as they look in awe at the wondrous display of Christmas magic.
4. The Sydney Christmas Fair
A super fun day out for the whole family. The Sydney Christmas Fair is a festive wonderland complete with carnival rides, Christmas kids workshops, Santa photos, carnival games, a DJ dance floor, water activities, showbags and a Christmas market day!
Other fun things to do in Sydney with kids
The fun doesn’t stop here! Sydney has plenty of other fun things to do with kids!
1. Luna Park
Sydney’s Luna Park has surprises and delights around every corner! A family favourite for years, the iconic amusement park has 4 rollercoasters for the big kids and over 20 other rides including a carousel, Coney Island, ferris wheel and dodgem cars. You will also find the typical favourites such as sideshow alley with a mix of fun carnival games, showbags, and delicious snacks to keep little tummies happy after an action-packed day out!
2. iFLY Downunder
Got kids who crave thrill-seeking action? Then head on over to iFLY Downunder - Sydney’s indoor skydiving experience! Fun and safe for kids over 3+, iFLY is open to people of all abilities. After going through the basics and gearing up, the instructor will fly right by their side in a wind tunnel that simulates what it’s like to skydive out of a plane!
3. Sydney Harbour cruise
Argh, me hearties! Grab the kids and walk the plank onto the Sydney Tall Ship for a 1.5 hour cruise around the sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour. Sydney Tall Ships regularly hosts interactive pirate cruises for kids, giving little pirates the chance to hoist their own pirate flag and take part in an interactive pirate story for swashbuckler fun!
4. Visit a skate park
Got a child who loves to BMX or skateboard? Then visit one of the many skate parks in Sydney and let them show their stuff! Even if they don’t want to participate, they will have a blast watching other skateboarders perform tricks and shredding it up! For beginner skaters, head over to North Sydney Skate Plaza - it’s course is perfect for beginners. For a day out watching the pros, Bondi Beach Skate Park will turn on a show as skaters ride the Bondi Bowl.
Code, create and HAVE FUN at Code Camp!
Code Camp is the BEST fun your children will ever have these school holidays! With plenty of interactive programs, Code Camp empowers your kids to design, code, create and play. With over 90 locations Australia-wide including online camps, find your nearest Code Camp here and sign up for the upcoming school holidays.
Find a camp near you
All of our in-person locations have:
- At least one fully-trained primary school teacher with first aid certification
- COVID-Safe plan