Best Indoor Activities in Sydney on Rainy Days

It is home to over 4,000 animals from around the world, including Australian native wildlife like Kangaroos and Koalas. Experience reptile shows, animal talks and unique wildlife encounters. Every few months the theme will change and the alleyways will be transformed with a new magical theme. This is definitely an Instagrammer’s dream, but it’s fun for everyone. Kids from ages 8 and up can do the Harbour Bridge climb experience. We haven’t had the chance to do this, but we have climbed the Brisbane Story Bridge so we can only imagine the views are even more spectacular.
After a safety briefing and training from experienced instructors, children can experience being lifted into the air by a powerful wind generator. For the seriously keen, there are ten-week courses for ages 6-16 years and birthday party packages available for flyers. The park offers a range of activities for kids, including kids entertainment sydney cbd bike riding tracks, learning and discovery days, such as the mini park rangers, tours and art galleries. For toddlers under 3, look for venues with dedicated soft play zones separated from older children. Many play cafes across the Inner West and North Shore also cater specifically to the under-3 crowd with age-appropriate toys and safe spaces. If there's one thing Sydney parents stress about more than school catchments, it's birthday parties.

Council libraries run free storytime sessions for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers throughout the week. Many museums offer free entry for kids under certain ages, and the Royal Botanic Garden is always free. BOUNCE, Flip Out, and Sky Zone all offer party packages that combine bouncing time with a private party area.
Council-run vacation care is the most affordable option, often subsidised through the Child Care Subsidy. Finding play spaces that genuinely cater to toddlers and babies is one of the most common requests we get from Sydney parents. While most large play centres have a “toddler area,” the quality varies enormously. Some are genuinely thoughtful spaces with age-appropriate sensory elements, soft climbing structures, and proper separation from older kids. Others are an afterthought — a small cordoned-off corner with a few plastic toys that your 18-month-old will lose interest in within five minutes. Toddlers will enjoy the slide and hourly wave pool action on weekend afternoons.

You can also take a tour of the Opera House to learn the history of this unique building and how it came to be. A wide variety of sporting and entertainment events are held at Sydney Olympic Park every year which can be fun to attend in Sydney with kids. Treat your whole family to a cinematic experience as you enjoy blockbuster movies, and documentaries in an immersive setting with a large screen and cutting-edge audio. Here you will find a 50-metre lap pool but also a splash pad and shaded lounging area for a family day at the pool.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, which is why we’ve organized our recommendations by family type. Finding activities for toddlers in Sydney isn’t easy but we’ve uncovered some genuinely excellent options through our research. That’s its own challenge, so we’ve focused on activities that won’t have them rolling their eyes all day. And of course, we’ve made sure the grown-ups actually enjoy themselves too. A day at the beach is always a great way to enjoy the sunshine and spend time with family.
These tend to run $30 to $45 per child but deliver high-energy entertainment that keeps even the most restless kids engaged. For something more creative, art studios, cooking schools, and science workshops across Sydney run structured party experiences that are perfect for smaller groups of 8 to 12 kids. Sydney's indoor play centre scene is the largest and most diverse in Australia. The industry has matured significantly in recent years, with new venues raising the bar on design, hygiene, food quality, and parent amenities. Kids will be high-as-a-kite with excitement after hearing about this place. Children from as young as three years old can learn how to skydive in an indoor facility in Penrith – and it’s fun for adults too.

I like to walk from North to South, so the Opera House remains in view the entire way. A little over a km long, it should take you about 30 minutes, given how many times you will stop to take photos and watch the traffic. The current exhibition is Alchemy of a Rainforest and features more than 18,000 plants. You can also check out the largest living green wall in the southern hemisphere. While there is a chance you will come across some Aussie wildlife on your travels, it is tough to find a platypus in the wild, so do not miss this chance! Taronga is a world-class zoo with some of the best views in Sydney.
It first opened in Western Sydney and there are now centres across the country offering indoor and outdoor fun that’s flippin’ awesome. The Penrith centre has wall running, an after-dark program and dodgeball – plus you can book kids’ birthday parties and children can sign up for Little Ninja classes to learn how to twist and bounce like a pro. Play cafes typically charge $12 to $18 per child and serve proper coffee, healthy snacks, and lunch options. They tend to be calmer and more design-focused than traditional play centres, making them popular with parents of babies and toddlers.

Once you arrive, there is plenty to do in Manly and this should be a fun day for everyone. We have put together our Sydney with kids bucket list with the help of the members of our community who have shared what worked best for them on their visits, combined with our detailed local knowledge. Sydney is an easy city to get around, with heaps of different transport options for families. There are day trips by coach from Sydney as well or consider staying for a night or two so you can explore a little deeper. Here you can ride the world’s steepest passenger rail, the steepest cableway in the Southern Hemisphere and ride the cable car between the mountains.
The park has a playground that is perfect to burn your little ones’ energy. They also have free hands-on school holiday programs during the NSW school break. This is a good option for older kids who have an interest in the local history as it tells the story of The Rocks from their pre-European days to the present time. There are also playgrounds for the kids in each of them, including Centennial Homestead Playground, Paddington Gates Playground and nearby Moore Park Rotunda Playground to name just a few of the play spaces.

We all know that going to the movies is a classic rainy day activity but going with kids can be challenging. Sitting still for two hours, endless toilet runs, not to mention it can be a little overwhelming when you're, well, little. Thankfully a lot of cinemas have mums and bubs sessions and Event Cinemas have Event Junior, a playground dedicated to keeping the wee ones happy and entertained when sitting still just ain't cutting it.
The guides explain so much about the area and the flora and fauna you will pass along the way; it’s an excellent introduction to Sydney’s landscape. This hike follows the coastline from the harbour to the sea and takes in several amazing hidden beaches, Aboriginal rock art and a Manly Beach sunset at the end. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an icon every family should experience, and the good news is it’s now truly accessible for everyone.
For our complete guide to indoor play centres in Sydney, including suburb-by-suburb breakdowns and current pricing, check out our dedicated page. Most trampoline parks cater to kids aged 3 and up, with some offering dedicated toddler bounce sessions on weekday mornings. Prices range from $18 to $30 per session, and grip socks are usually required (available for purchase at around $3 to $5).