Indoor Play Centres & Activities Sydney

The Sydney theme park sits along the edge of the harbour making it easy to access by ferry. It has been a favourite among locals and visitors alike since it opened in 1935. Step back in time and visit the Hyde Park Barracks, a World Heritage site listed by UNESCO. We didn’t have time to do this when we were in Sydney with kids, but we did spend some time at the Opera Bar, watching the sun lowering over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and enjoying a drink and a snack.
Martial arts — karate, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, and boxing — are widely available and increasingly popular for building confidence  and discipline. We’ve put together expert guidance on the key decisions you need to make before arriving in Sydney. You can have a no stress camping holiday at Cockatoo Island in the middle of the harbour. This entertainment hub is perfect for families who can’t sit still. Jump into action-packed laser tag battles, challenge each other to bowling matches, or bump around in dodgem cars – there’s never a dull fun activities for adults sydney moment. If you are not so confident, there are some well-run snorkelling tours where guides will help you and all your gear (and even wetsuits) are provided.

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.
Entertainment Park is pretty ahead of the curve when it comes to simulations – we're talking an actual virtual reality arena, where you can battle fantasy creatures or challenge your friends to virtual dance battles. There’s also a dedicated e-karting space, which allows you to kart around a 3.5km square track without emitting a single fume. This circus-themed funhouse will dazzle the kids with a dizzying selection of games, rides and prizes. Younger kids (aged 8-10) can enjoy dodgem cars, carousels or the overhead ropes course, while older players shoot hoops, go bowling or ride the interactive 3D theatre fit out.

It also houses a wide range of vessels and marine artefacts to explore, so even younger kids will enjoy their visit. If you thought Taronga Zoo was conveniently close to the city, this is even closer and a quicker experience if you’re short on time and don’t have a full day to dedicate to a zoo trip. Here you will find educational fun displays related to natural history and anthropology. The museum also hosts exhibits featuring indigenous artwork and cultural events that showcase various cultures worldwide. It does get crazy busy but the food alone is worth the visit and the fun photo opportunities make it an exciting dining experience for the whole family. Best of all, they often have great deals for kids to climb at a discount during school holidays.
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.
They tend to work best for kids under 5, as older children often find the play areas too small or simple. For our full recommendations, head to our best play cafes in Sydney guide. Most programs run for full days (typically 9am to 3pm) and cost $60 to $100 per day, with multi-day discounts available.

This is one of our favourite half-day trips from Sydney when you don’t have a lot of spare time but still want to get out on the water and visit somewhere nearby. Jump on the ferry at Circular Quay, since it can only be reached by boat! It’s a great place for families to explore, with lots of interactive activities and interesting attractions. An Art Gallery is a perfect indoor activity in Sydney for those rainy days, especially if you have older kids who appreciate fine art.
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.

For more family history experiences, check out the offerings of the Sydney Living Museums. The Justice and Police Museum is housed in the old Water Police building at Circular Quay. There are a range of interactive challenges, including cops and robbers, where kids become detectives tracking a criminal or see if they can escape from the cells. Taronga has put together a bunch of missions on their free app to help kids get involved in their zoo visit. They choose one of six missions and learn more about wildlife on your visit. Along with being a pretty unique way to see the harbour, a tallship cruise is fun for the entire family.
There are also two weekly programs, Tiny Tots and Mini Explorers, held on Friday, although these require pre-booking. For me, the biggest fun every time is the mug shots area where you can dress up and take a photo for free. The museum has limited hours and is open at weekends and some weekdays during school holidays. The two most popular ones are Luna Park and Wet’n’Wild Sydney – both of which offer a fun day out for kids and adults alike.

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.
Using flying foxes, watch the kangaroos, koalas, and emus go about their day from your bird’s-eye view. Suitable for kids over three years, the younger riders will have two courses allowing them to view koalas and possums. The zoo has a bunch of free shows every day, but the two that are always a hit with younger kids are the farm walk and the pat a pet talk. I suggest you check the schedule the day before and plan your day around the talks you want to join. See the world’s largest collection of marine life at Sea life Sydney Aquarium including  the beautiful giants on Dugong island.
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).