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As much as we dread them, the spring school holidays in Sydney might just be the best school break of the year. The crowds are thinner, the weather is crisp but rarely miserable, and Sydney absolutely comes alive with festivals, events and experiences designed specifically for families. No sunscreen battles, no sweaty car trips. Just cosy adventures and kids who actually sleep at night.
Our ellaslist lineup of spring school holidays activities in Sydney is here to get the kids out of the house and exploring the best our city has to offer. The 2026 NSW spring school holidays run from Monday 28 September – Friday 9 October 2026 — so bookmark this page now and thank yourself later.
Table of Contents
Jump to
Free School Holiday Activities
Spring School Holidays at the Art Gallery of NSW
200 Years of Wonder at the State Library of NSW
Museums of History NSW
Avatar Forms of Vishnu
Museum of Illusions Sydney
School Holiday Fun at the Australian National Maritime Museum
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Everyday Art Adventures For Families at The MCA
The Titanic VR Experience
Madame Tussauds
House Down Under
Cockatoo Island Family Activities & Tours
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Calmsley Hill City Farm
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Monster Jump
Kid Quest Interactive Family Scavenger Hunt
Spring Fruit Picking
Amazement Fun Park & Digger Zone
NSW Rail Museum
Free School Holiday Activities
Spring School Holidays at the Art Gallery of NSW
Get creative these spring school holidays at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where a packed program of exhibitions and activities will keep kids entertained indoors. Weave your own tortoise shell and create a mini tortoise protector, explore key Australian artworks with an expert guide, and get hands-on with creative workshops inspired by artists including Mechelle Bounpraseuth and British-Indian artist Desmond Lazaro.
A highlight of the program is the free drop-in activity, Indian Illustrations, where kids can let their imaginations run wild in the Asian Lantern gallery and be part of a free, hands-on drawing activity inspired by the Elemental exhibition. Children can create their own vibrant scenes using provided materials, drawing inspiration from the intricate patterns, animals, nature, and mythical deities depicted in traditional Indian paintings.
Where: Art Gallery of NSW, Art Gallery Rd, The Domain, Sydney
When: Throughout the October school holidays. Open 10 am – 5 pm daily.
Cost: FREE entry and activities
200 Years of Wonder at the State Library of NSW
The State Library of NSW turns 200 this year, and families are invited to help celebrate with a free program of spring school holiday activities running across the building.
Drop into the 200 Years of Wonder activity space, pick up a 200 Kids Trail map, or join an interactive family tour built for younger visitors. Beyond the holiday program, the hands-on Digital Timeline and Curiosity Wall are worth exploring at your own pace, and The Curious World of Pamela Allen brings favourite storybook characters to life with dress-ups and play spaces.
On Wednesday October 7 you can join Collection viewing: Journeys — fact or fiction? - where you can put on your detective hats and try to work out whether historic travels across land, sea, and sky were real historical events or complete fabrications.
For something to book ahead, A Night at the Library is a Bell Shakespeare performance that brings historical figures and literary characters to life on stage, with public shows starting in September.
Where: State Library of NSW, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney
When: Until Sunday 18 April 2027
Cost: FREE entry and activities
Spring Family Festivals in Blacktown
Looking for budget-friendly ways to entertain the kids this spring? Blacktown is turning on the sunshine with a massive lineup of vibrant, free community festivals perfect for whole-family fun!
Kick off the school holidays with FAM Fest on Saturday 26 September, where Blacktown CBD comes alive with two stages of live music, delicious food trucks, and street art. The action continues on Sunday 27 September at the Blacktown City Pet Festival at the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC). Bring your four-legged family members along for a paw-some day packed with free face painting, pony rides, pet caricatures, and interactive animal displays.
Where: Various, Blacktown
When: Saturday 26 September and Sunday 27 September
Cost: FREE entry and activities
Arts, Culture & Experiences
Museums of History NSW
Museums of History NSW presents a family-friendly spring school holiday program from across Sydney’s iconic heritage sites. Your kids can engage in interactive trails, convict crafts, mock trials, and vintage games at locations like Hyde Park Barracks, Vaucluse House, Elizabeth Farm, and the Museum of Sydney. Highlights of this spring's ticketed program include a Spooky Zines workshop with Lucie Stevens, a traditional ancestral Saaj Flatbread-Making workshop, and a unique Shadow Play puppetry class with artist Jumaadi.
On Friday October 9, kids can participate in a dedicated Family Fun Day at Hyde Park Barracks, and hunt for buried city treasures on the Unearthed archaeological trail at the Museum of Sydney where kids can even get a temporary tattoo to look like a convict with a professional airbrush tattoo!
Where: Museums of History NSW sites and museums
When: Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026
Cost: General admission and activities are FREE. Workshops are ticketed from $20
Avatar Forms of Vishnu
Looking for a creative spring holiday event? Discover 1,500 years of captivating storytelling in Avatar: Forms of Vishnu, an exclusive Sydney exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. The largest display of South and Southeast Asian art at the gallery in over two decades, this family-friendly show features over 200 vibrant sculptures, paintings, textiles, and installations.
Kids and art lovers alike can explore mythic, shape-shifting heroes - from a giant fish and wise tortoise to a fearsome half-lion - sourced from world-renowned international collections.
ellaslist ticket offer: ellaslist readers can get an exclusive discount of 15% off family tickets to see Avatar: Forms of Vishnu. Use promo code: ELLASLISTFAMILY15 when booking.
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
When: Until 5 October 2026
Cost: Adult: $35 / $37 | Youth (12–17 years): $10 | Children under 12: Free | Family (2 adults + up to 3 youth): $80
Play! Kids Festival: School Holiday Fun at Sutherland Pavilion
Celebrate the spring school holidays at Play! Kids Festival 2026, over four action-packed days.
South Sydney’s premier children's performing arts festival is a showcase of award-winning international acts, family theatre, music, and hands-on creative workshops. With daily activities starting at 9am, it's the ultimate interactive playground of fun, movement, and imagination for kids of all ages.
Where: Sutherland Pavilion, 30 Eton Street, Sutherland
When: 30 September to 3 October 2026
Daily activities start from 9 am. Performances at 10 am and 1 pm.
Cost: FREE entry and activities | Performance tickets from $35
Dog Man: The Musical
Everyone's favourite crime-fighting pooch returns to the Seymour Centre in Dog Man: The Musical, based on Dav Pilkey's hit book series.
Written by 5th-grade best buddies George and Harold, this action-packed family show follows Dog Man - part dog, part policeman, and all hero - as he fights crime, chews on furniture, and tries to save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and Petey, the world's most evil cat. Catch this hilarious, high-energy musical before the curtain closes early in the holidays!
Visit Dog Man: The Musical to book your tickets.
Where: Seymour Centre
When: 26-30 September 2026
Cost: From $39; children under 2 go FREE
Runtime: Approx 65 minutes
Recommended for ages 6+
Museum of Illusions Sydney
Looking for an indoor school holiday activity with broad family appeal? Museum of Illusions Sydney invites visitors to step into a world where perception is constantly challenged through immersive installations, optical illusions and hands-on exhibits. Spanning more than 900 square metres, the museum features over 80 interactive experiences, from gravity-defying rooms and holograms to mind-bending perspective zones that are guaranteed to get everyone talking.
Unlike traditional museums, guests are encouraged to interact with the exhibits, explore at their own pace and snap plenty of memorable photos along the way.
Where: 413 George Street, Sydney
When: The Museum is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Cost: Regular admission from $38. Kids under 4 are FREE with an infant ticket.
School Holiday Fun at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Unleash your inner adventurer this spring at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This season, families can step back in time with the spectacular Treasures of the Viking Age exhibition, featuring exclusive kids' trails and interactive activities.
The crowd-favourite Kids on Deck maker space returns daily, inviting children aged 4–12 to get creative with model ship building, clay sculpting, and recycled plastic crafts. Don't miss the high-energy Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus show, running for a limited time from 28 September to 1 October! With tailored sensory play sessions for toddlers under 5 and a historic fleet of ships waiting to be explored, it is the ultimate family day out in Darling Harbour.
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When: 28 September
Cost: Adults $35; Kids $25; $89 for Families; under 4s go FREE
The school holiday program includes a mix of FREE and PAID activities.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter™ The Exhibition is casting a spell over Sydney with an immersive experience packed with movie magic, interactive moments and behind-the-scenes wizardry.
Families can wander through beautifully recreated sets, come face-to-face with authentic costumes and props from the films, and dive into the stories that made the Wizarding World such a global phenomenon. From testing your magical skills to celebrating your Hogwarts house pride, there are plenty of hands-on moments designed to make visitors feel part of the adventure.
With cinematic soundscapes, detailed environments and sensory surprises woven throughout the experience, Harry Potter™ The Exhibition transforms a spring day in Sydney into something far more magical than your average school holiday outing.
Where: Fever Pavilion at Sydney Showground
When: Daily until October 11 2026
Cost: Tickets from $33 per adult and from $20 per child
Everyday Art Adventures For Families at The MCA
There is so much to explore at the MCA! Their permanent collection boasts over 4,700 artworks with a major focus on artists living and working in Australia, including significant works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The ever-changing line-up of exhibitions means there's always something fresh and exciting on display at the MCA, with bold sculptures, immersive installations and thought-provoking artworks that spark the imagination and often invite interaction.
The galleries are designed to be family-friendly, with accessible layouts, engaging artworks and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Plus, current exhibitions are always free for under-18s and Australian students. Look out for drop-in activities and sensory-friendly experiences during school holidays and weekends - they're always a hit with young art lovers!
Where: MCA, 140 George Street, The Rocks
When: Open Wednesday - Monday from 10 am to 5 pm
Closed Tuesdays.
Open public holidays, excluding 25 December
Cost: Adults $35, Concession $28 + online booking fee
FREE for MCA Members, under 18s and students
Madame Tussauds
Meet over 100 lifelike celebrity figures and rub shoulders with Aussie icons and global stars, including Robert Irwin, G-Flip, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé at Madame Tussauds Sydney!
Get closer to fame than ever before, join exhilarating adventures with iconic characters and be enchanted by the world's most celebrated stories as you discover impossible moments alongside your favourite celebrities. Feel the magic at Madame Tussauds Sydney, the ULTIMATE fame experience!
Where: Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour
When: Open daily
Cost: General admission online from $39 per adult, $26 per child
House Down Under
For quirky, fun-filled school holiday activities in Sydney that the whole family will love, step inside House Down Under — Australia's first inverted house photo experience that needs to be seen to be believed!
Behold this topsy-turvy, fully-furnished home where the ceilings are floors, and the floors are ceilings, and strike your most creative poses as you hang from the rafters, float through a flipped kitchen or pour tea on the roof. This gravity-defying out-of-the-box activity guarantees loads of laughs, surreal photos and a one-of-a-kind adventure you won’t find anywhere else.
Your ticket includes unlimited time in the house with six different areas to explore and countless photo opportunities. See life on the flip side and book your visit today!
Where: Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Rouse Hill
When: Weekdays: 12 pm to 6 pm
Weekends: 10 am to 6 pm
Cost: Single Tickets (including kids 4 and over) - $19 per person
Groups of 3 or more (including kids) - $17 per person
Kids Under 4 - FREE
Cockatoo Island Family Activities & Tours
Make the most of the school holidays and embark on an adventure to historic Cockatoo Island. Free to explore all year round, it's the ultimate hidden gem in the middle of Sydney Harbour.
Cockatoo Island's newest family adventure: Our day at Cockatoo Island is a hands-on, self-guided tour that's perfect for curious kids aged 6 to 10. With the help of a vibrant, beautifully illustrated booklet, young adventurers (with a grown-up in tow) will follow the pink cockatoo ground stickers they spot around the island and enjoy 8 activity-packed stops.
Families can also take guided tours running on weekdays to learn about the island's past. For a crash course in Cockatoo Island's incredible history, book the Island Highlights. Alternatively, the Convict Prison Tour will lead you through the turbulent history of the island's former gaol.
Refuel at one of two harbourside cafes, explore a former goal, venture into a historic shipmaking facility and even stay overnight in an award-winning campground. The island is FREE to visit and easy to get to by ferry – under 10 minutes from Barangaroo!
Where: Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
When: Throughout the holidays
Cost: Free entry. 'Our day at Cockatoo Island' $5 | Tours from $16 pp | Camping from $50
Nature & Animals
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is hosting a lineup of spring school holiday activities and it's one of the most glorious seasons to visit. The program features hands-on nature workshops, the return of the Tinkerbell and the Dream Fairies outdoor musical, and a smartphone-based scavenger hunt.
Alchemy of a Rainforest invites families to explore a vibrant tapestry of life featuring over 18,000 rare and unusual tropical plants, alongside one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere. Families with kids aged 5–10 can tackle The Mad Botanist Scavenger Hunt, an interactive, smartphone-guided trail packed with escape-room-style clues to save the garden.
Where: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
When: Open daily 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: General admission is free.
Calmsley Hill City Farm
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and give the kids a taste of country life without straying too far from the city, Calmsley Hill City Farm is the perfect school holidays activity. Just 40 km from Sydney's CBD, this historic working farm has been welcoming families since 1806. It is home to an incredible mix of animals, including koalas, kangaroos, camels, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, reptiles, and plenty of cuddly babies.
Daily Spring Holiday Highlights:
- Animal Patting (10:30am): Get up close with friendly nursery animals like baby lambs, kids, and chicks.
- Cow Milking (11:00am and 2:30pm): Try your hand at traditional cow milking.
- Stock Whip & Working Dog Shows (12:30pm and 1:00pm): Watch clever kelpies round up sheep and see crack whip demonstrations.
- Sheep Shearing (1:30pm) & Koala Talk (2:00pm): Learn about wool production and native Aussie wildlife.
- Tractor Rides: Hop aboard the tractor for a scenic rumble around the farm grounds.
Spread across 500 acres of rolling pastures and bushland, there's loads of space for kids to explore, and a brand-new playground for climbing and sliding. Pack a picnic or fire up the free BBQs, grab something from the kiosk if you prefer, and settle in for a full day of farmyard fun.
Where: 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury
When: Open Daily
Cost: Adult: $32 | Child: $17 | Under 3s FREE | Family of 5: $97. Annual Pass: Adult $90 | Child $45 | Family $230
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
These school holidays, dive into the best of the deep blue in the heart of the city!
From the world-famous dugong to the breathtaking local marine creatures, and even the toothy Grey Nurse Sharks, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour has family fun covered, with over 4,000 spectacular creatures in its underwater exhibits. You'll find over 300 species throughout the aquarium's themed habitat zones, including Jurassic Seas, Penguin Expedition, Shark Valley, Dugong Island and SEA LIFE Sydney’s hands-on Discovery Rockpool.
The fully immersive rockpool zone is home to fascinating creatures, including sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and fish species, and features a giant LED screen with crashing waves as a backdrop and interactive digital displays for a totally engaging experience.
Where: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney
When: Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm. Last entry 4 pm
Cost: General Admission online from $49 for adults, $36 for children. Under 2s go FREE
Sports & Adventure
Monster Jump
Monster Jump is leaping back into action for the spring school holidays at a new Sydney location, in the Hawkesbury. The thrill-packed inflatable obstacle course is your perfect active school holiday adventure for kids aged 3 and up, with over 30 engaging obstacles and 280 metres of immersive fun, including giant slides and climbing walls. Plus, the Monster Sports Jam Inflatable, featuring basketball shootouts, jousting battles, and a giant wrecking ball challenge, is back, exclusive to the new Hawkesbury location.
Tickets are available now. Book online to experience Monster Jump these school holidays.
Where: Hawkesbury Showground
When: 26 September - 11 October 2026
Open daily 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: From $30 per ticket for a 2-hour pass
Kid Quest Interactive Family Scavenger Hunt
Who says superheroes need a cape? Kid Quest turns the streets of Sydney into an action-packed adventure playground. No cape required, just curious kids and a fully charged phone.
This self-guided outdoor scavenger hunt starts at Hyde Park and winds through 10 hand-picked city locations, following clues, solving visual puzzles and collecting virtual rewards along the way. It's part city exploration, part brain workout, and entirely parent-approved. This activity will keep the kids so busy problem-solving that they won't even realise they're walking 2km.
Designed for children aged 4-8, the hunt builds teamwork, critical thinking and observation skills, while keeping screen time to a minimum. The best part? There are no set times, no bookings and no queues!
Where: Starting at Hyde Park, Sydney
When: Any time. This is a completely self-guided scavenger hunt — simply book a time online and go
Cost: From $12 pp
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
School Holiday Programs
Looking to keep the kids busy with structured activities? We've rounded up the best school holiday programs in Sydney — from sports clinics to art workshops and everything in between! See the full School Holiday Programs Guide.
Day Trips From Sydney
Spring Fruit Picking
Kids just love going fruit picking, and when spring rolls around, it's the perfect time to enjoy the gorgeous blossoming fruits come to life in a beautiful farm setting.
Spring is prime time for fruit picking around Sydney and regional NSW, as orchards burst into bloom with juicy berries, late citrus, and early stone fruit - check out the fabulous fruit-picking farms near Sydney that welcome families with open arms during the spring school holidays.
Amazement Fun Park & Digger Zone
Amazement Fun Park is one of those Central Coast days out where the kids can burn through energy in every possible direction.
Little builders can get straight to work in the Kids Digger Zone, climbing aboard the diggers for some hands-on outdoor action, before getting wonderfully lost in the mazes, challenging the family to giant games, meeting furry friends in the petting zoo and hopping aboard the park train. There are also pony rides, amusement rides, photo experiences and plenty of tasty treats to keep snack breaks firmly on the agenda. Add in free animal presentations, bottle feeding, reptile encounters and donkey pats, and you've got a full day of fresh air, muddy shoes and very happy kids.
Where: 170 Yarramalong Rd, Wyong Creek
When: Open 7 days a week from 9.30 am to 4 pm (last entry 3 pm)
Cost: *$40 per adult; $28 per child (3-15); $130 for Family Pass; under 2s go FREE
*Entry includes a complimentary train ride for all guests. Additional train and pony rides are $10 each.
NSW Rail Museum
If your kids have ever pressed their face against a train window and refused to look away, the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere is about to become their favourite place on earth.
Just one hour southwest of Sydney, Australia's largest collection of heritage rolling stock awaits. The museum is stacked with iconic locomotives, historic carriages and undercover interactive exhibits that bring more than a century of Australian railway history to life! Allow at least two hours to explore, and that's before you factor in the highlight of any visit: a 40-minute steam train ride departing from historic Thirlmere Station.
During the school holidays, heritage train rides run daily — even in the rain — making this an excellent wet-weather day trip option. The sprawling site also has over 10,000 square metres of lawn, with sheltered picnic tables, free barbecues and a play space, making it easy to turn the visit into a full-day out. There's also a kiosk serving barista coffee, hot food and snacks.
Plenty of free parking right out front, and infants under 2 are free!
Where: 10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere (approx. 1 hour southwest of Sydney)
When: Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm | Weekends from 9 am to 5 pm
Cost: Museum only: $15 per adult; $5 for kids (2-17 years); Under 2s go FREE
Museum + Train Ride: $35 per adult; $15 for kids (2-17 years); Under 2s go FREE
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FAQs
When are the spring school holidays in Sydney 2026?
NSW school holidays shift each year, so it's always handy to double-check the current calendar. Most families plan a few weeks, so keeping an eye on the official NSW Education website helps you time your activities, bookings and days off without any last-minute surprises. The spring school holidays 2026 run from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026.
What are the best school holiday activities in Sydney?
A well-rounded spring holiday break should include a mix of learning, culture, and play. Achieve this by planning trips to your favourite museums, visiting fantastic playgrounds and interactive installations, booking seats for family-friendly theatre shows, and treating yourselves to yummy cafe pit stops. These picks will give kids a chance to burn energy, explore something new and make fun memories.
What's on in Sydney during the school holidays?
Every holiday period brings a fresh line-up of family events across the city. This spring make sure you don't miss out on kid-friendly favourites, such as spring theatre shows, spring fruit picking, the Harry Potter Exhibition, Monster Jump and more.
Where can I find free or cheap school holiday activities in Sydney?
Sydney has plenty of budget-friendly fun if you know where to look. Council-run events, playgrounds, bushwalks, libraries, and museums often run free or low-cost activities. Fruit picking and community festivals are also great ways to entertain the kids without breaking the bank.
What are the best indoor activities for kids in Sydney during the school holidays?
Rainy day? Heatwave? No worries. Sydney has loads of indoor favourites like arcades, museums, aquariums, indoor play centres, bowling, ice skating, and theatre shows designed just for kids. It's the perfect way to keep the fun going when the weather has other plans. Check out more activities in our guide to Sydney's Best Indoor Activities.
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About ellaslist
ellaslist is a trusted local guide for families across Sydney and NSW, written by parents and family lifestyle editors who understand what makes an outing with kids genuinely work. Our team researches and curates the best family-friendly events, attractions, playgrounds, restaurants and school holiday activities, with practical details on age suitability, accessibility, parking, public transport, facilities and family-friendly tips.
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