School Holiday Activities in Sydney: The Best for Winter 2025
- Fri Jun 06 - Sat Jul 26 2025
- Preschoolers
Kids
Teens
Family
All Ages - Various depending on activity
The school bells have rung their last ding for the term, the backpacks have been flung into cupboards (hopefully with lunchboxes removed!)- school holidays in Sydney are officially here!
Whether your crew is all about splashing in the waves, visiting the theatre, or soaking up the city's cultural buzz, our school holidays guide has a plan for everyone. So get ready for a break filled with unforgettable memories!
When Are the Winter School Holidays in NSW?
Mark your calendars, NSW parents! Winter school holidays in NSW run from Monday 7 to Friday 18 July 2025.
Things To Do During the School Holidays in Sydney
1. Monster Jump
The thrill-packed Monster Jump inflatable obstacle course is your perfect winter school holiday activity for everyone from children to adults! With sliding, climbing, bouncing, and more, it's fun galore for active kids aged 3 and up, who are ready to tackle over 30 exciting obstacles and a whopping 280 metres of endless fun.
Get little bodies moving, keep warm and play on this thrilling inflatable playground. Challenge each other to see who can race through the course the fastest or stroll through at your own pace and enjoy all the fun challenges, including giant slides, climbing walls, and the Monster Sports Jam Inflatable!
Where: The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
When: Saturday 5 - Sunday 20 July 2025
Cost: $30 per ticket for a 2-hour pass (5 years to adults)
$45 per 2-hour toddler pass (under 5, includes Adult)
Monster Sports Jam is an additional $10 on either pass.
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2. Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo is a perfect school holiday destination for wild winter fun every day! Grab a Zoo Friends membership and enjoy unlimited visits, exclusive perks, and animal adventures all year round! The Family Flex membership includes kids under 16 from the same household for free! Snap up a Taronga Zoo Family Membership now.
Taronga Zoo is going all out these school holidays with an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor activities for families, including the Crawly Critters Alive Show, adorable baby animals, the Aussie Animals Kids’ Trail and an epic indoor Amphibian and Reptile Experience. Plus, you can hop aboard Taronga’s brand-new electric train and choo-choo through the Zoo. All activities are included in your entry!
Where: Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman
When: Open all year
Cost: Zoo Friends Family Flex Annual Membership - $110 per adult + $20 joining fee, includes kids under 16 from the same household.
3. Step Back In Time at Museums of History NSW
Looking for educational and screen-free fun these school holidays? Museums of History NSW offers fantastic programs at Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House, which are perfect for a digital detox. Plus, there are FREE creative workshops at the Museum of Sydney.
Museums of History NSW have an epic lineup of hands-on activities that will keep kids entertained while sneaking in a little learning! Junior detectives can don their sleuthing hats at Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House, where they’ll crack clues, solve puzzles, and uncover the secrets of Sydney’s past.
Budding artists can join free First Nations-led workshops at the Museum of Sydney, where they’ll weave, spin yarns, and explore traditional storytelling.
With beautiful heritage sites, engaging activities, and plenty of opportunities to play, create, and explore, these programs make history the most exciting subject of the holidays!
Where: Elizabeth Farm - 70 Alice Street, Rosehill
Vaucluse House - Wentworth Road, Vaucluse
Museum of Sydney, Corner Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney
When: Select dates from 7 - 18 July 2025
Cost: History Kids - General $15; Member $12
Creative First Nations Workshops - FREE
RELATED: Must-see Winter Events in Sydney for Kids
4. Australian National Maritime Museum
This school holidays, the Australian National Maritime Museum is bursting with fun, creativity, and ocean-themed adventures for kids of all ages. Dive into interactive exhibits like Ultimate Depth featuring James Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, get hands-on in the Kids on Deck maker space, and climb aboard real-life vessels like the HMAS Vampire, HMAS Onslow, and the replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour.
Families can enjoy everything from touch-and-feel sessions at the Cabinet of Curiosities to collaborative art, shadow play, and screenings in the Deep Sea Lounge. Kids can follow the Sea Country activity trail, join the Deep Ocean Dive 'n' Draw, and discover how we can protect our oceans at the Seabin Ocean Health Lab. With outdoor performances, workshops, tours for under 5s, and even underwater drones, there’s something new to discover every day at the Maritime Museum these school holidays.
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When: Saturday 5 - Sunday 20 July 2025
Cost: Museum Entry is $35 per adult, $25 per child under 15, and under 4s FREE
Some workshops incur additional costs.
5. Learn to Swim this Winter
Summer swimmers are made in winter! If you want to get your child ready for the sunny swim season, why not book them in for a winter school holiday session? The Learn to Swim program at Sydney City and Inner City pools is their ticket, and the best part, the pools are heated all year round!
No matter where your child is, the Learn to Swim program is designed to be fun, informative, and progressive, enhancing their strokes in the pool.
Visit your local pool’s website for more information and to register your interest.
- Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Ultimo
- Cook + Phillip Park Pool, Sydney
- Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Zetland
- Prince Alfred Park Pool, Surry Hills
Secure your Learn To Swim spot now.
Where: Various City of Sydney locations
When: Open all year
Cost: TBD, submit an enquiry online
6. See Josephine Wants To Dance Live on Stage
Monkey Baa Theatre Company, the award-winning theatre company for young people, is bringing Josephine Wants to Dance back to the stage these school holidays!
The story follows Josephine, a spirited kangaroo who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Despite her brother Joey's insistence that kangaroos don't dance, Josephine is determined to prove otherwise. When a ballet troupe visits her town and faces an unexpected crisis, Josephine seizes the opportunity to showcase her talent and passion for dance.
Perfect for little theatre lovers and their families, this hilarious new work by Monkey Baa brings to life a tale about a bush kangaroo you’ll never forget!
Where: The Concourse, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood
Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill
When: Chatswood, The Concourse, 16 – 17 July 2025
Coliseum Theatre - 19 July 2025
Cost: Tickets from $33.58 pp
7. Chill Fest Campbelltown
A Winter Wonderland is coming to Campbelltown with the glow of magical lights, amusement rides, an Alpine Winter Market and more. Chill Fest is Campbelltown’s annual winter celebration, transforming Koshigaya Park into a magical wonderland during the July school holidays.
Glide across the open-air rink, enjoy delicious winter-themed meals, be entertained by live performers, roast marshmallows, join a meet and greet with Olaf, and so much more!
In the evening, you will be able to witness the park illuminated with stunning lighting installations.
Where: Koshigaya Park, Campbelltown
When: Friday 4 - Sunday 20 July 2025
Cost: FREE entry, tickets for skating, food and rides will all incur a cost.
8. Bounce Into BOUNCE Sydney
Immerse yourself in the high-energy, gravity-defying fun of BOUNCE Sydney these school holidays. This trampoline park and activity hub is an exhilarating haven for fun-seekers of all ages, with a dynamic atmosphere and diverse range of attractions tailored to maximise both fun and physical fitness across every age and skill level.
It's the perfect destination for seriously high-octane fun during the school holidays.
Where: BOUNCE Homebush, U 2/3 201 Parramatta Road, Homebush West
When: Monday 7 - Friday 18 July 2025
Cost: Pricing varies based on activity and age group, with special rates for families, groups, and multi-visit passes.
9. Kids' Puppet Shows at Puppeteria
With its long association with puppetry, Jackie and John Lewis' company, Jeral Puppets, has been performing professionally since 1966.
Puppeteria Theatre has plenty of exciting performances taking place during the school holidays from an extensive list of classic kids' shows, including Jack & the Beanstalk plus Murgatroid & Aladdin’s Lamp, The Magic Toyroom plus The Adventures of Dudu Duck, Henry Hippo’s Holiday plus Pretzel & the Magic Sausage Machine and Goldilocks & the Three Bears.
Tickets for Puppeteria's shows can be booked online by visiting TryBooking.com.
Where: Puppeteria Theatre, 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove.
When: Throughout the school holidays
Cost: Admission is $13 per child and $16 per adult.
10. Free Fun at The Vineyard
From pony rides to Elsa & Anna to a Minecraft LEGO experience, The Vineyard is bringing the magic to Greater Western Sydney these Winter School Holidays with a line-up of FREE kids’ entertainment every weekday from 12 – 2 pm. Dive into something new each day with a rotating schedule of live shows, hands-on activities and interactive fun designed to keep little ones busy and beaming.
While the kids are entertained, parents can relax with a drink or bite to eat from the bistro, making it an easy and affordable school holiday outing for the whole family!
Where: The Vineyard, 725 Windsor Road, Vineyard
When: Monday 7 - Friday 18 July 2025
Cost: FREE
11. Cockatoo Island Family Activities & Tours
Make the most of the 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.
During the holiday period, families can also take advantage of the extra 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, and the Shipyard Tales Tour will guide you through key landmarks including the convict-built Fitzroy Dock and the cathedral-like Turbine Shop.
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 best part? The island is FREE to visit and easy to get to by ferry – under 10 minutes from Barangaroo! Plus, visit during the July school holidays and you could win a free camping stay.
Where: Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour
When: Throughout the July holidays
Cost: Free entry. 'Our day at Cockatoo Island' $5 | Tours from $16 pp | Camping from $50
12. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium: Two Attractions For The Price Of One
These winter 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 or even the toothy Grey Nurse Sharks, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbour has family fun covered.
Visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium these winter school holidays and you can visit another neighbouring attraction for FREE. That's two attractions for the price of one!
Plan your family's visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium these school holidays before Monday 21 July and book your tickets online at least a day in advance, and you will get a free ticket to either WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo or Madame Tussauds Sydney. That's two attractions for the price of one, for a limited time only.
Go on an amazing animal adventure as you walk through iconic Aussie habitats or experience the glittering world of fame for a day. All venues are centrally located in Darling Harbour, so you can visit each back-to-back or save the second ticket for a rainy day.
Where: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney
When: Offer valid until 20 July 2025 | Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm. Last entry 4 pm
Cost: General Admission online from $55 for adults, $42 for children.
Under 2s FREE.
13. Free School Holiday Fun at Darling Square
If you’re hunting for a fun (and fabulously free) way to keep the kids entertained these school holidays, Darling Square has you covered! From Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 July, this buzzing precinct transforms into a winter wonderland bursting with creative workshops, face painting fun, and delicious dining options the whole family will love.
Kids can unleash their inner artist with snowflake painting and snow globe making workshops, or become frosty-faced forest creatures at the free winter-themed face painting station - perfect for keeping little hands busy and imaginations fired up. And while the kids are getting crafty, parents can unwind with a warm cuppa or dig into Darling Square’s drool-worthy winter eats with over 50 cafés and restaurants for some delicious downtime!
Where: Darling Square, Tumbalong Bvd, Haymarket
When: Thursday 10 - Sunday 20 July 2025 | 11 am to 2 pm on select dates
Cost: FREE activities
14. Art Gallery of New South Wales
It's no secret that we utterly adore the Art Gallery of New South Wales as a destination for family fun in Sydney, and the school holidays are no exception.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales offers a vibrant array of free activities for children during the holidays, designed to inspire creativity and engagement. Don't miss the FREE drop-in workshops where kids can get crafty creating birthday cards or pet portraits! Plus, there are roving tours, storytime and exhibitions to ignite little imaginations, including Young Archie 2025.
Where: Art Gallery Rd, Sydney
When: Monday 7 - Friday 18 July 2025
Cost: FREE entry and activities
15. Splatter Painting Experience at Kaboo Studio
Do your kids like to get messy? Kaboo provides a memorable, mess-friendly environment for them to unleash their inner artist. Kaboo Studio in Bondi Junction offers a vibrant and interactive splatter painting experience for kids of all ages.
Slip on a poncho and goggles, and get ready to throw paint and create your own unique canvas masterpiece.
During a one-hour session, you'll receive a canvas and all necessary materials- including paints, brushes, smocks, goggles, shoe covers, and a custom take-home box to safely transport your artwork. Let their creativity run wild!
Where: Kaboo Studio, 2/78 Spring St, Bondi Junction
When: Throughout the school holidays
Cost: From $59 pp
16. Sydney Tower Eye
Take adventure to the next level with a SKYWALK experience at Sydney Tower Eye, these winter school holidays! Marvel at breathtaking 360-degree views of the city perched 250 meters above ground with an exhilarating outdoor stroll around the tower's edge, providing a unique perspective of Sydney's skyline.
From the Observation Deck, you can engage little ones with interactive touchscreens and high-powered binoculars to spot iconic landmarks from The Rocks to Botany Bay. Children under 2 enjoy free entry!
Where: Westfield Sydney, Level 5/108 Market St, Sydney
When: Open daily
Cost: General admission online from $40 per adult, $32 per child
SKYWALK + Observation Deck from $95 per adult, $70 per child
17. Sydney Opera House Family Shows
This July school holidays, the Sydney Opera House is hosting a series of engaging family-friendly performances:
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The Twits: Roald Dahl’s mischievous duo, Mr and Mrs Twit, come to life in this hilarious stage adaptation.
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BullyBully: A slapstick spectacle featuring two egotistical world leaders engaging in dance battles and childish quarrels.
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City of Wonder: A hands-on creative experience where children can explore art and design through guided activities, encouraging them to build their own imaginativcityscapeses.
These performances and workshops offer a wonderful opportunity for families to experience the magic of live theatre at one of Sydney's most iconic venues.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Select dates from 7 - 18 July 2025
Cost: Various, depending on the show
RELATED: Best Kids Shows in Sydney
18. Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel M-Passport Family Staycation Package
Make your school break extra special with a delightful staycation right in the heart of Sydney! Indulge in the perfect family retreat at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel and enjoy facilities including an indoor swimming pool, various restaurants and bars, and 24-hour in-room dining. The hotel's prime location makes it an ideal base for family fun with Sydney’s top attractions within easy reach.
Book now for the value-packed M-Passport Family Package, including a kids' welcome pack, DIY cupcake box, buffet breakfast at Silvester's, $50 food and beverage credit per night, and a 12 pm late check-out.
Where: Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel At Circular Quay, 30 Pitt Street, Sydney
When: Valid for stays until 30 July 2025
Cost: From $419 per room per night (subject to availability)
19. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Are you ready to embark on the ultimate Wild adventure at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo these school holidays?
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo offers an engaging school holiday experience for families, allowing visitors to encounter Australia's iconic animals right in the heart of Darling Harbour. The zoo features interactive zones where guests can meet creatures such as koalas, kangaroos, and crocodiles, providing both educational and entertaining experiences.
Where: Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour
When: Throughout the holidays
Cost: General admission online from $49 per adult, $36 per child
20. School Holidays at the MCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is the ultimate spot for creative family adventures during the school holidays.
Weave Your Way is a free collaborative art installation inspired by the MCA's major winter exhibition, Cerith Wyn Evans... in light of the visible. Contribute to an evolving woven artwork suspended in mid-air, fostering creativity and community engagement.
Also, during the July school holidays, you'll be able to catch The Intelligence of Painting before it leaves Sydney. The exhibition showcases the dynamic landscape of contemporary Australian painting through the works of 14 distinguished women artists.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks
When: 16 - 19 July 2025
Cost: FREE
21. Visit Madame Tussauds
This July school holidays, get ready to say "Crikey!" Get up close with wildlife warrior Robert Irwin and experience what it’s like behind the lens of the award-winning photographer.
At Madame Tussauds Sydney, you’ll 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 $49 per adult, $36 per child
22. Enjoy Winterfest at Darling Harbour
These winter school holidays, Darling Harbour will be transformed into a snowy wonderland with a plethora of family-friendly activities. Grab your skates for the ice rink, let the kids showcase their singing talents in a fun, guided karaoke session, join a craft workshop, including snow globe making, winter crown crafting, snowman decorating, and so much more.
Darling Harbour's Winter Festival also turns up the heat with a 4-day free alpine-themed festival for the whole family! Head down to Tumbalong Park to see live DJs, dance challenges, and classic games like musical statues for the whole family to take part in.
Where: Darling Harbour
When: Sunday 6 July - Sunday 20 July 2025
Cost: Various, depending on activity, lots of FREE activities on offer
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