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.
Their facilities are consistently well-maintained, with wall-to-wall interconnected trampolines, foam pits, slam dunk zones, and a dedicated “Mini BOUNCE” area for children under 6. Flip Out operates larger-format venues in Penrith, Prestons, and Castle Hill, offering indoor entertainment sydney ninja warrior courses alongside their trampoline floors. Sky Zone brings dodgeball courts, freestyle zones, and a SkyLadder climbing challenge to their Alexandria and Macquarie Park locations.

If you are a family with older kids, you can swim in the north or head wherever you see the red and yellow flags. Flags are placed at the part of the beach that lifesavers have deemed the safest for the day. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to swim at the southern end of the beach.
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.

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.
The Australian National Maritime Museum located in the harbour city of Sydney is one of the largest maritime museums in the world. It’s recommended to allow at least 2 hours to fully explore the museum, especially if you are planning to visit any of the special touring ticketed exhibits. There are combo tickets available to visit some of the other popular attractions in Sydney too, including Wildlife Sydney, Madame Tussauds and the Sydney Tower Eye. They also have a range of ticket upgrades, with behind-the-scenes tours, VIP experiences and an aquarium dining experience if you want to do something a little extra special. At Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, you can explore the ocean without getting wet.
If you're keen to burn the kids energy out, challenge them to a game of laser tag and rest assured that they'll sleep all night. The cheapest time to skate is Mon-Fri 4pm-5pm, when tickets are $20 for adults and $19 for kids (including skate hire). Whether it's a lingering drizzle or a downpour for the ages, you don't want to get caught out in the city when it rains, nevermind with little ones in tow. It pays to have a few wet-weather tricks up your sleeve for when the cartoons and colouring-in book at home just aren't cutting it anymore. The “Boy” Charlton pool is a saltwater pool located adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and overlooking Woolloomooloo. This pool is named after one of the country’s most successful swimmers who won five Olympic medals during the 1920s.

Sail with a crew of passionate navigators, explore the natural beauty of the harbour and learn about its history. The Sydney Observatory is a great place to visit if your kids love astronomy and science. Also known as the Powerhouse Ultimo, this is a contemporary museum right in the city centre of Sydney with a focus on science, arts, innovation and design. It’s an amazing experience to take in the view from atop the bridge as you look out towards the Sydney Opera House and beyond. It’s here that you will find some of the most popular kids activities in Sydney, such as the SEALIFE Aquarium, Madame Tussauds and the Australian National Maritime Museum. If you are looking for things to do in Sydney, exploring Darling Harbour is hard to beat.
This is one of the most popular attractions in the region and it’s well worth the admission entry. It’s a great place to spend a day at the beach since it has plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. The beachfront is also lined with cafes and restaurants, which makes it easy for you and your kids to find something to eat.

One very memorable family activity is a sunrise paddle on Sydney Harbour. There is also a track that leads under the bridge where you will find people fishing off the rocks. Here you can see some of the most stunning waterfalls in New South Wales. Our favourite was Fitzroy Falls, but don’t miss Carrington Falls and Belmore Falls too. There is plenty of space for kids to build sandcastles and play in the waves.
New elevators  mean parents with prams and wheelchairs can easily reach the  main footpath, and there are amazing options for all fitness levels. The garden’s volunteers offer free 1.5 hour guided tours every day at 10.30am. While I love to walk around the gardens when exploring with toddlers or younger kids, the Choo Choo Express, a hop on hop off train, will help you cover the entire garden. Be sure to get off at stop 4 to see the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Point view.

And you can ride each of them as many times as you like during your visit. If you’ve got a few days to spend in Sydney and want to get beyond the city for a day or two, there are some downright epic day trips from Sydney or weekend getaways in the Greater Sydney region. There is also an ocean pool for swimming, which is great for kids who are a little cautious about swimming in the waves.
The garden is also a good spot to let young ones run around for a bit if they are getting frustrated by being trapped in a pram. A day at Taronga Zoo is not a budget option, and there are not many ways to reduce the cost. They have a birthday promotion where you pay just $1 to spend your Birthday at the zoo.
Check out Cape Solander in Kamay Botany Bay National Park or try the cliff-top walking trails from Bondi to Cogree and Federation Cliff Walk from Dover Heights to Watsons Bay. Sydney is blessed with an amazing migration of humpback whales each year, as they make their way from Antarctica to the warmer Pacific Ocean waters. Here you will find gardens, wetlands, sports fields and cycling tracks to enjoy the great outdoors. Centennial Park is one of the biggest parks in Sydney with more than 189 hectares of open spaces, located just 4km from the Sydney CBD. Discover the newest trends in the art world while perusing cutting-edge pieces of art and participating in creative workshops. There are different events running all year round, so check the website to see what’s coming up during your stay.