Top Places in Sydney to Take Kids on Rainy Days

You wake up and look out the window to see the rain pouring down. Meanwhile, the kids are waking up and are full of energy to burn! What to do? The answer is easy. We’ve found the best places to take kids on rainy days which are indoors and full of fun for the whole family.

The Best Places in Sydney to Take Kids on Rainy Days

1. City of Sydney Pools

 

When it's bucketing down with rain but humidity is high, what better way to spend the day than a trip to an indoor pool? Kids will love burning off some energy, moving their bodies, and enjoying a whole lot of splashing fun. 

The City of Sydney operates six world-class aquatic leisure centres. Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo, Cook + Phillip Park Pool in Sydney City and Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Zetland offer indoor facilities! If you want to brave the rain, you can also take your pick from Prince Alfred Park Pool in Surry Hills, Andrew Boy Charlton Pool at The Domain and Victoria Park Pool in Camperdown. 

2. House of WOW

If there's a place in Sydney that ticks every single box of rainy day requirements, it's House of WOW.

Bursting with activity, House of WOW is home to Monkey Mania, Turbo Climb, Hyper Strike Bowling Alley and Arcade Alley — meaning there's something for everyone! The cafe and welcoming vibe make it an easy place to hang out all day; and you might just find yourself coming back again and again, whatever the weather. 

Location: 52 Bernera Rd, Prestons

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3. Museums of History NSW

For engaging, educational, and downright fun family outings, look no further than Sydney's Museums of History NSW. These indoor gems are packed with stories, activities, and hands-on experiences for curious kids (and grown-ups, too!). With seven exciting museums across Sydney, there's bound to be one to inspire your rainy day. 

Journey through Sydney's exhilarating criminal past with a visit to the Justice & Police Museum. Step back in time at the UNESCO World Heritage Hyde Park Barracks where an intriguing journey through Sydney's convict history awaits. Explore the museum and hear fascinating stories of the Barracks as told by some of the convicts and immigrants who lived there while you complete tasks and listen for clues on the Kids' Trails. Just down the road, unravel the rich history and vibrant culture of Sydney at the Museum of Sydney with a changing program of exhibitions and events that explore the character, cultures and soul of this city.

Or how about a visit to Elizabeth Farm, Australia's oldest surviving homestead? This museum is hands-on heaven: kids can churn butter, explore the stunning homestead, and imagine life in colonial times. Rouse Hill Estate is another must-visit for country lovers with a working farm and Susannah Place Museum in The Rocks offers a peek into the lives of ordinary Sydneysiders through the preserved homes of working-class families. And for a touch of history and architecture, explore a stunning 19th-century mansion at Vaucluse House & Gardens.

4. Trampoline Parks

 

If the kids are bouncing off the walls at home, let them bounce off every spot they can find at Sydney's awesome trampoline parks.

From Flip Out to Ultimate Sydney, and Inflatable World Oz, our list of trampoline parks in Sydney will tempt kids of all ages. Plus, some of these spots have cafes on-site for that extra dose of caffeine! 

5. The Powerhouse Museum

The Powerhouse Museum is an extremely interactive, family-friendly museum, boasting FREE entry!

There is so much to learn at this Ultimo-based museum—including exhibitions on transport, space, design, indigenous narratives and a whole lot more. There is also a range of Learning Programs that can be pre-booked to enhance your child's learning on a particular subject, such as science, electronics, technology, and design.

Please note that The Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo will be shut for three years from February 2024 for refurbishment. The Powerhouse Castle Hill will remain open.

6. Perfect Play Centres

Here at ellaslist, we adore indoor play centres just about every day of the year, but when it's bucketing down outside and the kids are getting on your last nerve, they are the next best thing to be alone on a private tropical island.

Sydney is loaded with indoor play centres to cater to all corners of the city and beyond. Most of these have on-site cafes for drinks and snacks, and there's always a new one opening somewhere so keep checking our list for what's next.

Need to run a few errands with the kids in tow? Check out our list of indoor play centres in shopping centres to find your nearest one so you can tick off your to-do list while keeping the kids happy at the same time. 

7. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia

When should you start exposing your children to the arts? The answer is NOW! Children and their grown-ups can take a journey through the current awe-inspiring exhibitions any day of the year at the MCA - the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Rain, hail or shine, they will be enthralled and inspired by the MCA's eclectic collections.

Join ARTplay with your little ones for games, stories and hands-on art-making activities led by an MCA Artist-Educator. With new themes in each session based on current exhibitions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Location: 140 George St, The Rocks

8. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Get ready for a true-blue Aussie adventure at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in the heart of Darling Harbour! Home to the iconic Aussie Big 5—koalas, kangaroos, wombats, crocodiles and the elusive platypus—this immersive zoo experience brings you face-to-face with some of Australia’s most fascinating wildlife (and don't let the image above fool you—plenty of the zoo is undercover, making it a great choice for rainy days)! 

Snap a selfie with a snoozing koala, spot Ringo the wombat on the move, and watch the platypus glide through the water. With interactive displays, daily keeper talks and open walk-through habitats, it’s a wild day out the whole family will love—right in the middle of the city!

Location: Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour

9. The Australian Museum

 

3,000 square metres of new public space is on offer to Sydney families thanks to the Project Discovery renovation at the Australian Museum, which now includes a whopping new touring exhibition hall (nearly double its original size!), exciting galleries where children can see (and sometimes touch!) real-life models of some of their favourite animals, new education facilities, an expanded Member's Lounge, a family-friendly cafe, Museum gift shop, and the list just goes on and on!

Location: 1 William St, Darlinghurst 

10. Brilliant Bowling Alleys

One of the best places to keep the good times rolling, no matter what the weather is doing, is to go bowling!

Sydney has loads of amazing bowling alleys that make the perfect retreat to while away a few hours indoors with action-packed family fun. Plus, you might even get more than you bargained for as some bowling alleys also have arcade games, escape rooms, ropes courses, cafes and more! So unleash that competitive spirit and get some screen-free time.

11. Three Indoor Attractions in One at Darling Harbour

Venturing into the city with kids on a rainy day might seem like a daunting task, but it's worth it when it offers a full day of indoor entertainment at three of Sydney's top attractions!

Rain, hail or shine, a world of fun awaits at Darling Harbour with WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, and Madame Tussauds all under one roof. Meet your favourite furry friends, discover an exotic underwater world and get selfies with world-famous celebrities, all in a day's work!

Location: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney 

12. Sydney Tower Eye

A gorgeous view is a gorgeous view, and you don't necessarily need bright sunshine to get the best out of it. Soar above the city at Sydney Tower Eye, the tallest building in Sydney and home to unbeatable 360-degree views from the Observation Deck and thrilling SKYWALK experience.

Just a 40-second lift ride whisks you to the top, where you can take in sweeping views across the harbour, skyline and even out to the Blue Mountains. Kids and adults will love spotting iconic landmarks from above!

Location: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney

13. Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum is a must for maritime buffs, but it is also perfect for introducing kids to our national sea-faring history in a fun and engaging way. 

The museum boasts an amazing fleet of tall ships, navy vessels, a Cold War submarine and beautifully restored historic boats to explore, plus immersive experiences and fascinating exhibitions for children and families to discover. Take a curator-led online exhibition tour, be immersed in a 360-degree virtual tour of a vessel and get crafty with ocean-themed kids activities.

Location: 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour

14. Market City & Hay Street Market

Market City in Haymarket is a family-friendly, one-stop shopping and dining destination in Sydney that the whole family will love! The vibrant hub with plenty of activities to keep you entertained and undercover on a rainy day. With its unique blend of big-name outlets, exotic eateries, and exciting events, school holiday fun & cultural festivals, it is the perfect destination for families to spend a fun day out.

The newly opened Hay Street Market - Sydney’s biggest new foodie hub  - is a hive of activity serving up a lively atmosphere and a diverse range of cuisine that will take you on a mouthwatering culinary journey!

Location: Hay St, Haymarket

15. Sydney's Coolest Arcades

Abuzz with a multi-sensory symphony of light and colour, sounds and prizes, these cool arcades across Sydney are enough to make every little gamer's dreams come true! But these days, it's not all about the kids - entertainment is abundant for the whole family at these amusement meccas.

Whether you're into nostalgic retro vibes or the latest, state-of-the-art wizardry, there is something for everyone, and then some - you can also find dodgem cars, bowling, laser tag, karaoke, escape rooms, virtual reality and more!

16. Kid-friendly Cafes

There might be a deluge outside, but we still have to eat and we won't let a little wet weather dampen our weekend brunch plans.

When cabin fever sets in and cooking is the last thing you feel like doing, find one of the best kid-friendly cafes in Sydney to refuel your body and soul. From elegant hotel high tea to dining in a restored train carriage, there is a smorgasbord of delicious spots to discover that welcome both grown-ups and their mini-foodies. Bon appetit!

More Rainy Day Ideas

Best Indoor Playcentres for Kids
Sydney's Best Indoor Swimming Pools
Top Kid-friendly Libraries in Sydney
 

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