Exciting school holiday adventures
Trying to
figure out how to keep children amused during school holidays can be difficult
at times, especially if you are trying to juggle work, housework and everything
else in your life. Most of us tend to stick to our local areas during the
holidays, just because it's easy or we don't know where else to go. If you have
read my Top 30 Things To Do in Sydney with Kids article and have
completed most of the challenges, here are some more fun things to do with your
children.
1. Spend a day at the Royal Botanic Gardens – pack a picnic basket and head downtown. Children will have plenty of space to run around, while you relax under a shady tree with a nice cool drink. Find out more about Royal Botanic Gardens.
Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
2. Take your kids to Cook Park – the park has several playgrounds, cafes & restaurants, bike and skateboard track, toilets, BBQs, picnic areas and the kids can even swim at Brighton Le Sands baths. Find out more about Cook Park
Address: The Grand Parade, Brighton Le Sands
3. Hire a bike or bring your scooter, skateboard or skates and explore Sydney's Centennial Park. The park also has a playground, café/kiosk, toilets, BBQs and picnic areas. Find out more about Centennial Park
Address: Lang Road, Centennial Park
4. Try out as many Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavours as you can. If you don't have a Ben & Jerry's ice creamery near you, you will often find them at 7 Eleven, Thomas Dux stores, various Delis and gourmet markets. The stores sell over 18 delicious flavours, while the delis have Pint Tubs and Shorty Cups available in 8 different flavours.
5. Venture out to Winnererremy Bay – the perfect place if you have young and older children. The little ones can play at the enclosed playground, while older kids can ride their scooters, bikes and skateboards or play with the ball. Find out more about Winnererremy Bay
Address: Mona Street, Mona Vale
6. Catch a ferry to The Basin from Palm Beach. The kids can swim and explore the beaches and parks and kangaroos can often be seen roaming the area. If you are up for a bit of an adventure, bring a tent and you can have a sleep over.
Address: Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park
7. Play tourist and head over to Sydney Tower for spectacular views. Challenge your kids to spot Sydney's icons such as the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Powerhouse Museum and perhaps even your own house. Before you head up the tower, watch a 4D movie, which transports you across Sydney Harbour.
Address: Pitt Street, Sydney
8. Spend a day at Bondi Beach – young kids can play at an enclosed playground, while older children try their skills at Bondi Skate Park. Then take a dip in the ocean or swimming pool located at either end. Find more Fun for Kids at Bondi-
Address: Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
9. Watch container ships come in and out of Botany Bay and planes take off from Sydney airport at Frenchmans Bay. Take a dip in between at the sheltered beach or visit La Perouse Museum located nearby. Find out more about Frenchmans Bay
Address: Endeavour Avenue, Frenchmans Bay
10. Hire a kayak at Manly Cove Beach and explore Manly on water
Address: East Esplanade, Manly
11. Go ice skating at Macquarie Ice Rink. Each session runs for 2 hours, so on a particularly hot day, this is the best way to cool down.
Address: Waterloo Road, North Ryde
12. Escape to the Entrance for a day. Visit Vera's Water Garden, feed pelicans, play at Memorial Park or do a spot of shopping.
Address: Marine Parade, The Entrance
13. Visit Monster Skate Park – kids will love scooting on an indoor as well as outdoor course and you can enjoy a quiet coffee in the meantime. Find out more about Monster Skate Park
Address: Grand Parade, Homebush
14. Plan a day of fun at Sydney Entertainment Quarter – there is plenty to keep your kids amused - indoor play centre for children aged 1-12, outdoor playground, walk on water inside a sealed bubble, have fun with plaster painting or spend hours on bungy trampoline and jumping castles. Find out more about The Entertainment Quarter
Address: 122 Lang Road, Moore Park
15. Explore The Rocks Discovery Museum – a free, family friendly and interactive museum, which tells the story of the Rocks area from pre-European days
Address: Kendall Lane, The Rocks
16. Book your kids into Thinkspace Workshops at Powerhouse Museum. Suitable for kids 7-12 years, the workshops include gaming and game building, programming and electronics, space sciences, video, music and animation.
Address: 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
17. Explore fascinating exhibitions at the Australian National Maritime Museum including Wrecks and Reef, Pirates and P&O.
Address: 2 Murray Street, Sydney
18. Don't just take the kids to the movies – taken them to Imax Theatre for a Giant Screen 3D Experience. You will find not only entertaining but also educational movies.
Address: 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
19. Go snorkelling at Chinaman's Beach and explore rock formations. Bring plenty of water and snacks and don't forget the sunscreen and you can have a day of fun exploring underwater treasures and sea life. Find out more about Chinamans Beach
Address: Parriwi Road, Mosman
20. Have a wild experience at Taronga Zoo. See Bird and Seal shows and get close to some of the zoo's amazing animals including koalas, giraffes, reptiles and owls. Pre-purchase tickets online and you can save up to 15%.
Address: Bradley's Head Road, Mosman
21. Spend a day at Darling Harbour's Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife Park. Located next door to each other, both these attractions offers hours of animal and fish entertainment for you and the kids.
Address: 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney
22. Splash or swim at Ryde Aquatic Centre – you will find a great kids pool, a wave pool and a waterslide.
Address: 504 Victoria Road, Ryde
23. Venture out at night to the Sydney Observatory for a twilight pizza night, where you experience 3D adventures, telescope viewing and pizza, drinks and Milky way dessert.
Address: Watson Road, The Rocks
24. Test how brave you are at the QStation Ghost Tour. Hear stories and legends of the former quarantine station internees or become a spirit investigator and learn how to detect and record paranormal activity.
Address: 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly
25. See Australia's unique wildlife in a natural bush setting at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus or come face to face with a koala
Address: 217 Kildare Road, Doonside
26. Boys will love visiting Museum of Fire with its world class fire engine collection, fire fighting uniforms and tools and protective equipment
Address: 1 Museum Drive, Penrith
27. Escape the crowds to Parsley Bay Reserve. Great playground, kiosk, amenities and beach with no waves will keep the kids amused for hours, while you relax and recharge. Find out more about Parsley Bay Reserve
Address: Hopetoun Avenue, Vaucluse
28. Feed the ducks and explore bushland at Manly Dam. Bring a picnic or sausages for a BBQ and take a dip in the dam. Plenty of shade will keep you cool on a hot summer's day. Find out more about Manly Dam
Address: King Street, Manly Vale
29. Spend the day frolicking in the waves of Tamarama Beach. Great café/kiosk as well as a small playground and plenty of grassy areas.
Address: Tamarama Marine Drive, Tamarama
30. Book a private surfing lesson for your kids at Freshwater Beach with Surf Skool. Not only will they have a lot of fun but will also learn a new skill and water safety.
Address: Kooloora Avenue, Freshwater
1. Spend a day at the Royal Botanic Gardens – pack a picnic basket and head downtown. Children will have plenty of space to run around, while you relax under a shady tree with a nice cool drink. Find out more about Royal Botanic Gardens.
Address: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
2. Take your kids to Cook Park – the park has several playgrounds, cafes & restaurants, bike and skateboard track, toilets, BBQs, picnic areas and the kids can even swim at Brighton Le Sands baths. Find out more about Cook Park
Address: The Grand Parade, Brighton Le Sands
3. Hire a bike or bring your scooter, skateboard or skates and explore Sydney's Centennial Park. The park also has a playground, café/kiosk, toilets, BBQs and picnic areas. Find out more about Centennial Park
Address: Lang Road, Centennial Park
4. Try out as many Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavours as you can. If you don't have a Ben & Jerry's ice creamery near you, you will often find them at 7 Eleven, Thomas Dux stores, various Delis and gourmet markets. The stores sell over 18 delicious flavours, while the delis have Pint Tubs and Shorty Cups available in 8 different flavours.
5. Venture out to Winnererremy Bay – the perfect place if you have young and older children. The little ones can play at the enclosed playground, while older kids can ride their scooters, bikes and skateboards or play with the ball. Find out more about Winnererremy Bay
Address: Mona Street, Mona Vale
6. Catch a ferry to The Basin from Palm Beach. The kids can swim and explore the beaches and parks and kangaroos can often be seen roaming the area. If you are up for a bit of an adventure, bring a tent and you can have a sleep over.
Address: Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park
7. Play tourist and head over to Sydney Tower for spectacular views. Challenge your kids to spot Sydney's icons such as the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Powerhouse Museum and perhaps even your own house. Before you head up the tower, watch a 4D movie, which transports you across Sydney Harbour.
Address: Pitt Street, Sydney
8. Spend a day at Bondi Beach – young kids can play at an enclosed playground, while older children try their skills at Bondi Skate Park. Then take a dip in the ocean or swimming pool located at either end. Find more Fun for Kids at Bondi-
Address: Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
9. Watch container ships come in and out of Botany Bay and planes take off from Sydney airport at Frenchmans Bay. Take a dip in between at the sheltered beach or visit La Perouse Museum located nearby. Find out more about Frenchmans Bay
Address: Endeavour Avenue, Frenchmans Bay
10. Hire a kayak at Manly Cove Beach and explore Manly on water
Address: East Esplanade, Manly
11. Go ice skating at Macquarie Ice Rink. Each session runs for 2 hours, so on a particularly hot day, this is the best way to cool down.
Address: Waterloo Road, North Ryde
12. Escape to the Entrance for a day. Visit Vera's Water Garden, feed pelicans, play at Memorial Park or do a spot of shopping.
Address: Marine Parade, The Entrance
13. Visit Monster Skate Park – kids will love scooting on an indoor as well as outdoor course and you can enjoy a quiet coffee in the meantime. Find out more about Monster Skate Park
Address: Grand Parade, Homebush
14. Plan a day of fun at Sydney Entertainment Quarter – there is plenty to keep your kids amused - indoor play centre for children aged 1-12, outdoor playground, walk on water inside a sealed bubble, have fun with plaster painting or spend hours on bungy trampoline and jumping castles. Find out more about The Entertainment Quarter
Address: 122 Lang Road, Moore Park
15. Explore The Rocks Discovery Museum – a free, family friendly and interactive museum, which tells the story of the Rocks area from pre-European days
Address: Kendall Lane, The Rocks
16. Book your kids into Thinkspace Workshops at Powerhouse Museum. Suitable for kids 7-12 years, the workshops include gaming and game building, programming and electronics, space sciences, video, music and animation.
Address: 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
17. Explore fascinating exhibitions at the Australian National Maritime Museum including Wrecks and Reef, Pirates and P&O.
Address: 2 Murray Street, Sydney
18. Don't just take the kids to the movies – taken them to Imax Theatre for a Giant Screen 3D Experience. You will find not only entertaining but also educational movies.
Address: 31 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
19. Go snorkelling at Chinaman's Beach and explore rock formations. Bring plenty of water and snacks and don't forget the sunscreen and you can have a day of fun exploring underwater treasures and sea life. Find out more about Chinamans Beach
Address: Parriwi Road, Mosman
20. Have a wild experience at Taronga Zoo. See Bird and Seal shows and get close to some of the zoo's amazing animals including koalas, giraffes, reptiles and owls. Pre-purchase tickets online and you can save up to 15%.
Address: Bradley's Head Road, Mosman
21. Spend a day at Darling Harbour's Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife Park. Located next door to each other, both these attractions offers hours of animal and fish entertainment for you and the kids.
Address: 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney
22. Splash or swim at Ryde Aquatic Centre – you will find a great kids pool, a wave pool and a waterslide.
Address: 504 Victoria Road, Ryde
23. Venture out at night to the Sydney Observatory for a twilight pizza night, where you experience 3D adventures, telescope viewing and pizza, drinks and Milky way dessert.
Address: Watson Road, The Rocks
24. Test how brave you are at the QStation Ghost Tour. Hear stories and legends of the former quarantine station internees or become a spirit investigator and learn how to detect and record paranormal activity.
Address: 1 North Head Scenic Drive, Manly
25. See Australia's unique wildlife in a natural bush setting at Featherdale Wildlife Park. Hand feed kangaroos, wallabies and emus or come face to face with a koala
Address: 217 Kildare Road, Doonside
26. Boys will love visiting Museum of Fire with its world class fire engine collection, fire fighting uniforms and tools and protective equipment
Address: 1 Museum Drive, Penrith
27. Escape the crowds to Parsley Bay Reserve. Great playground, kiosk, amenities and beach with no waves will keep the kids amused for hours, while you relax and recharge. Find out more about Parsley Bay Reserve
Address: Hopetoun Avenue, Vaucluse
28. Feed the ducks and explore bushland at Manly Dam. Bring a picnic or sausages for a BBQ and take a dip in the dam. Plenty of shade will keep you cool on a hot summer's day. Find out more about Manly Dam
Address: King Street, Manly Vale
29. Spend the day frolicking in the waves of Tamarama Beach. Great café/kiosk as well as a small playground and plenty of grassy areas.
Address: Tamarama Marine Drive, Tamarama
30. Book a private surfing lesson for your kids at Freshwater Beach with Surf Skool. Not only will they have a lot of fun but will also learn a new skill and water safety.
Address: Kooloora Avenue, Freshwater
