School Holiday Activities in Sydney: The Best for Winter 2024

School holidays in Sydney are upon us! The winter holidays are nearly here, so it's the perfect chance to think about how you're going to make the most of this beautiful season with the best school holiday activities in Sydney.

Counter the cabin fever with these fun, family-friendly school holiday activities throughout the winter school holidays.

School Holiday Activities Sydney: The Best for Winter 2024

1. Australian National Maritime Museum

Get ready for an ocean adventure at the Australian National Maritime Museum this school holiday season! The packed program offers interactive exhibitions, vessels to explore, hands-on workshops, and themed activities for all ages.

Explore the galleries with the Sea Country Activity Trail, unleash your creativity at the Kids on Deck Maker Space, and be amazed by the superpowers of cephalopods and groupers in the Slippery Cephalopod Science Circus Performances.

Take a moment to relax with a film screening, dive into the Mermaid Melody Colouring Corner and Book Nook, or enjoy imaginative play at the Octopus Garden Interactive Space. Don't forget to get hands-on with our touch collection at the Cabinet of Curiosities!

Where:    Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Sydney
When:     Throughout the school holidays
Cost:       Entry is $25 per adult, $15 per child under 15, and Children under 4 go FREE
                Some workshops incur additional costs.

RELATED:
The Best School Holiday Programs to Book This Winter

2. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium And WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Enjoy interactive and engaging experiences at Darling Harbour's most iconic attractions. Kids will love exploring both SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, learning all about sea creatures and Aussie animals. Celebrate all things penguin at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, and step into a world of wonder with The Penguin Encounter*—your exclusive pass to an unforgettable meeting with the sub-Antarctic penguin colony (*note, this experience is for a minimum age of 14.)

With so much to see, do, and learn, it's an adventure your kids will cherish! 

Where:   SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, 1-5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
When:     Throughout the winter school holidays
Cost:       2-attraction passes for $65 per adult and $48 per child (free for under 3) Save over 30%

3. Calmsley Hill City Farm

Take a trip to Calmsley Hill City Farm this winter for an authentic, interactive farmyard adventure within an hour from Sydney.

With daily shows, hands-on animal experiences, and fun school holiday activities, you'll learn all about the native and farmyard animals, while spending a beautiful family day out in the countryside. The Calmsley Hill City Farm schedule is packed with entertainment including a cow-milking demonstration, tractor rides, a sheep-shearing show, hands-on patting and feeding, and much more. Plus, Calmsley Hill City Farm hosts fantastic, fuss-free birthday parties for little animal lovers if you're in the market for a school holiday party with clout! 

Where:    31 Darling St, Abbotsbury
When:     Open seven days a week throughout the school holidays
Cost:       Adult: $32 | Child: $17 | Under 3s FREE | Family of 5 $97
                Annual Pass: Adult $90 | Child $45 | Family $230

4. Monster Jump Sydney

Ready, Set, Bounce! Monster Jump is the ultimate school holiday adventure for kids aged 3 and up. Packed with over 30 thrilling obstacles and stretching a whopping 280 metres, it's sure to keep Sydney families entertained and energised.

Little adventurers will be worn out by the endless fun—with obstacles such as giant slides, climbing walls, and bouncy fun galore on offer. Race you there!

Where:   The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
When:    6 - 21 July 2024
Cost:      $35 per ticket for a 2-hour pass (5 years to Adult) or a 2-hour Toddler Tickets (under 5 years + one parent/caregiver)

5. Museum of Contemporary Art

This school holiday, create lasting memories at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Families of all ages are welcome to join the interactive installation, Common Threads, where you can play with soft materials like string, yarn, and fabric to contribute to an ever-growing tapestry.

You can also spark your child's creativity with the MCA's beloved Artplay sessions, perfect for children aged 0–5 years. These sessions are a free-flowing, imaginative play experience not to be missed!

Where:    Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks
When:     Throughout the school holidays
Cost:       FREE

6. Archie Brothers and Strike Bowling

 

School holidays are just around the corner, so Archie Brothers and Strike Bowling are making it easier and more affordable for families to have fun this winter.

Ready to max out your school holiday entertainment? Get the Fun Bundle at Archie Brothers or Strike Bowling and enjoy 3 exciting activities for a cool $36.

Archie Brothers is a vibrant funhouse full of wall-to-wall arcade games and interactive attractions, while Strike boasts exciting laser tag challenges, karaoke experiences and escape rooms, as well as bowling. What an incredible lineup of fun!

Use code FUNBUNDLE to bag this awesome deal when you book online.

Where:  Archie Bros - Alexandria & Penrith
              Strike Bowling - Various locations across NSW including Castle Hill, Macquarie, Moore Park, Chatswood and Darling Harbour.
When:   On now until the end of the school holidays
Cost:     $36 pp for 3 activities

7. WINTERFEST at Darling Harbour

Get ready to dive into a world bursting with wintery fun at Darling Harbour’s annual WINTERFEST.

Throughout the July school holidays, Darling Harbour will be buzzing with epic adventures and activities including a FREE 4-day festival, ice skating, films, fireworks, and so much more. The roster of family fun is jam-packed with something for every age and stage.

Where:   Darling Harbour, Sydney
When:    Saturday 6 July - Sunday 21 July 2024 
Cost:      FREE with some paid activity options

8. Harbour Trust

There are so many ways to enjoy the Harbour Trust’s visitor destinations in Sydney. These are a great source of exploration for kids and parents due to their natural beauty, fascinating stories, and incredible landmarks. 

North Head Sanctuary (Manly), Sub Base Platypus (North Sydney), Macquarie Lightstation (Vaucluse) and the precincts of Headland Park (Mosman) are amongst the extraordinary places protected by the Harbour Trust. They also look after Cockatoo Island / Wareamah, which is both a former shipyard and convict gaol. In fact, the island’s Convict Site is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List with 10 other convict sites nationwide! There are so many ways to explore these rich and vibrant areas—including tours, concerts, staycations and more. 

Where:     Various locations throughout Sydney
When:      Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:        FREE

9. City of Sydney School Holiday Intensives

Make a splash this school holiday with the Fast Track School Holiday Intensive Swimming Program, available at select City of Sydney pools. This program is an exceptional opportunity for your child to rapidly enhance their swimming skills and boost their confidence in the water. To secure a spot in this sought-after program, contact  The Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Cook + Phillip Park Pool or Gunyama Park Pool.

Where:      All six City of Sydney Aquatic and Leisure Centres:
                  Cook + Phillip Park Pool - 4 College St, Sydney 
                  Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre - 458 Harris St, Ultimo
                  Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre - 17 Zetland Avenue, Zetland
                  Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool - 1C Mrs Macquaries Road, The Domain
                  Prince Alfred Park Pool - 105 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills
                  Victoria Park Pool - City Road (cnr Parramatta Road), Camperdown
When:       Enquire for swim intensive program dates
Cost:         Enquire for pricing details at the time of booking

10. Go WILD at Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo has endless entertainment over the school holidays with FREE activities for kids.

• Be captivated by our new Animals Alive show, running twice daily
• Bounce into free fun with jumping castles and an inflatable obstacle course
• Enjoy free face painting for the little ones!
• Explore the Red Energy GOOD VIBRATIONS Animal Trail
• Say hello to six adorable new baby animals ready to steal your heart
• Delight in 19 keeper talks and animal presentations, each offering fascinating insights into our incredible Taronga residents

Head to the Taronga Zoo website to get 20% off tickets OR save and buy an annual membership to unlock 365 days of Zoo adventures.

Where:    Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman
When:      Daily | 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost:        Adults $44.10 | Children (4 - 15 years) $26.10 |  Concession $35.10 | Under 4yrs FREE

11. Tuff Nutterz

Are you ready to scale one of the largest inflatable obstacle courses in the world?!

Tuff Nutterz is taking the winter school holidays by storm with their epic inflatable obstacle course that'll be ready to conquer at Centennial Park. Tuff Nutterz is an exhilarating family-friendly experience for both kids and adults. There are no age restrictions and everyone is welcome to participate and jump for joy. Sessions run for 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

Where:    Brazilian Fields, Centennial Park
When:     11-21 July 2024 | 9 am - 4.45 pm. Last entry 3 pm.
Cost:       From $25 for the Tuff Nutterz Obstacle Course Group Rate (min. 4 people )
                From $30 for a Tuff Nutterz Obstacle course single-entry

12. House of WOW

Get everyone out of the house with a trip to House of WOW during the winter school holidays. Situated in the heart of Prestons, this venue is a paradise for thrill-seekers and fun enthusiasts of all ages.

Indulge in the thrill of bowling at the state-of-the-art Hyper Strike alley; test your climbing prowess on the Turbo Climb wall; watch your little ones explore the vast wonders of Monkey Mania, an expansive indoor play area. Dive into the realm of gaming with a diverse selection of arcade machines. Truly, there's something for every age and stage at House of WOW.

Where:     52 Bernera Rd, Prestons
When:      Throughout the winter school holidays and beyond
Cost:        Various depending on activity, visit the website for details

13. Park Science - Nature's Superpowers at Centennial Parklands

Have you ever wondered how nature has been the ultimate muse for scientific breakthroughs? Bet you didn't know that aeroplanes took a page out of the birds' playbook!

Dive into the world of Park Science - Nature's Superpowers at Centennial Parklands, where your kids can explore how nature has sparked some of the coolest innovations in science. They'll delve into biomimicry, which is just a fancy way of saying "innovation inspired by nature." It's all about taking cues from the natural world to solve problems and create awesome stuff.

Your little scientists will get their hands dirty with exciting activities, team up with new friends, and flex their problem-solving muscles to invent their own nature-inspired creations. It's going to be a blast!

This program is suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years. 

Where:     The WILD PLAY Discovery Centre, Dickens Dr, Centennial Park
When:      8 and 15 July 2024 from 8 am to 4 pm
Cost:        $100 per child

14. DIY Doughnut Decorating at Krispy Kreme

Ready to unleash your inner doughnut artist? Grab your creative Krispy Kreme hat and get set to decorate not one, but TWO of their legendary Original Glazed® doughnuts with a whole rainbow of fun and funky toppings these school holidays in Sydney.

Join in for an ultra-cool doughnut decorating session with sprinkles, chocolate drizzles, and so much more – the possibilities are endless!

This sweet experience is available at select stores in NSW for just $9.50. Come along and craft your very own edible masterpiece!

Where:    Select NSW Krispy Kreme stores 
When:     From 9-18 July 2024
Cost:       $9.50 per participant

15. Erth's Dinosaur Zoo at Carriageworks

Dinosaur fans, you won't want to miss this show!

Erth's Dinosaur Zoo is an interactive show that invites you to meet some of the most astonishing insects and dinosaurs that once roamed the planet. Get up close with the Australovenator—Australia's very own carnivorous theropod discovered in Queensland!

Where:  Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
When:   16-20 July 2024
Cost:     From $20 plus booking fee

16. Enter a Real-Life Upside Down House at House Down Under

 

House Down Under is unlike any experience we've seen in Sydney because it's a house… just UPSIDE DOWN! How is that possible?

Get ready to explore topsy-turvy rooms and upside-down interiors on one seriously kooky day out with the family - you'll be talking about the pictures for years to come!

Where:       Market Square, Rouse Hill Town Centre, Rouse Hill 
When:       Throughout the school holidays
Cost:          Adults $27, Kids(4-15 years) $19, Concession (students and seniors with ID) $23, Family Pass (1 Adult + 2 Kids) $52, Family Pass (2 Adults + 2 Kids) $74, Family Pass (2 Adults + 1 Kid) $59.ney

17. Puppeteria

With its long association with puppetry, Jackie and John Lewis' company, Jeral Puppets, has been performing professionally since 1966.

The Jeral Puppets have plenty of exciting performances taking place during the spring school holidays from an extensive list of shows; including The Gingerbread Man, Little Red Riding Hood + Three Billy Goats Gruff, Hansel and Gretel + Treasure Island and more. Tickets for Puppeteria's shows can be booked online by visiting TryBooking.com.

Where:     Puppeteria Theatre, 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove.
When:      TBA
Cost:        Admission is $13 per child and $15 per adult.

18. Museums of History New South Wales

School holidays are the perfect chance for kids and families to explore our city's fascinating past through fun, interactive and unique experiences and programs at Museums of History New South Wales.

The Museum of Sydney is hosting FREE drop-in activities inspired by new exhibitions, Coomaditchie: The Art of Place and Ngaya (I am) by Peter Waples-Crowe, currently on display at the museum. Design a badge, create a postcard or craft a collage in these inspiring and engaging hands-on workshops that explore themes of place and identity.

Elizabeth House and Vaucluse House are hosting All In A Day's Work workshops this winter, offering kids the chance to discover what life was like in colonial times for a convict servant.

Where:    Various Museums of History New South Wales locations 
When:     Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:       Various - see programs for prices

19. The Best Kids' Shows in Sydney

Sydney is loaded with incredible theatre performances for all ages, and this winter is lining up to be a blockbuster one!

From RATBURGER to Marvel Universe Live and plenty in between, there's a kids' show happening these school holidays in Sydney to appeal to all thespians!

Where:     Various theatres across Sydney
When:      Throughout the school holidays in Sydney
Cost:        Various depending on the show

20. BridgeClimb 

BridgeClimb is the ultimate way to see Sydney, and what better time to do it than during the school holidays? Scale 134 metres above water level and enjoy a unique, 360-panoramic perspective of the city you love. 

This winter, you can scale the iconic coathanger with your little thrill seekers and save 15% off Summit Day and Summit Insider Day Climbs with BridgeClimb's epic Family Bundle tickets. Don't miss your chance to snap up the savings with BridgeClimb's Family Bundles. Book now!

Where:     BridgeClimb Sydney, 3 Cumberland St, The Rocks
When:      TBA
Cost:        BridgeClimb Family Bundles start at $555.15 for one adult and two children 

More Winter Adventures

Exciting Winter Festivals in Sydney
Where to Celebrate Christmas in July This Season
Stay Warm at Sydney's Best Indoor Play Centres
 

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!