The best spring school holiday activities in Sydney

The Sydney Opera House is having its first-ever Wild Things International Kids Festival from September 26 until October 11 with performances, workshops, installations and activities for all kids from toddlers to teens. Out on the Forecourt, families can enjoy free performances, giant interactive installations and roaming puppeteers. Venture inside to catch shows for different age groups from Australia and around the world. And with every performance priced at $49 or less, it’s a fun thing to add to your school holiday calendar.

Spring in NSW is pretty special – and there’s a whole state’s worth of floral displays waiting beyond the ’burbs. From the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest crop of cherry blossoms to far-reaching fields of alpine wildflowers, these are six of the best places to get your springtime flower fix in NSW: The Auburn Botanic Garden's annual Cherry Blossom Festival is over, but you can still explore the gardens at your own pace.

About an hour from Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is the place to go if you prefer your spring flowers distinctly local. This year, the star attraction is the Spring Paper Daisy Festival – a six-week celebration of flowers, food, live music and family-friendly fun, running from September 4 to October 11.

Set within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is one of the world’s few botanic gardens located within a UNESCO World Heritage Area – and its spring display is seriously impressive. The garden is blanketed in around 50,000 daffodils, and NSW’s floral emblem, the waratah, adds bursts of ruby-red to the landscape.

Planning a trip to the eucalyptus-scented Blue Mountains these school hols? Be sure to add Scenic World in Katoomba to your list. Here, adventure comes in many forms – from the heart-pounding Scenic Railway to the glass-walled Scenic Cableway, offering jaw-dropping views of this heritage-listed national park. And from September 26, 2026 until January 31, 2027,  kids will have some roarsome fun in Dinosaur Valley, checking out 32 species of dinosaurs – yes, T-Rex, but also Cryolophosaurus and Brachiosaurus.

On at the Australian Museum, the 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition brings you face-to-face with some of the most extraordinary moments in the natural world. Think: a sawfish swimming alongside a sea turtle in the Pilbara. Royal penguins stopped in their tracks by an enormous elephant seal. A Tassie devil fighting for survival. Flame-like patterns formed by the tides across a Western Australian sandbank. This exhibition showcases the finest images selected from 2,129 entries by 501 photographers across 17 countries. Entry is free and it runs until February 2027. 

Every Friday from 5pm, Chinatown transforms into a vibrant night market selling Asian street food, desserts and gifts – and it's right next to Paddy’s Market Light Rail stop. You'll find everything from yum cha favourites like har gow and mango pancakes to fluffy roti canai, dragon beard candy and chip on a stick. Depending on where you live, there are also Night Markets at Burwood every Thursday to Sunday from 5-10pm, plus the Chatswood Market every Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm. 

Have fun in the sun these school hols and more head to one of Sydney's very best picnic spots. Don't worry, we've done the research on if there’s parking, toilets and barbecues available. All you've got to do is pack a picnic rug and plenty of snacks, so that you can sit back while the kids have a right good picnicking time.

Disney’s The Lion King is on at the Capitol Theatre until November 1, and it's your chance to see the 'King of Musicals'. If it’s not Elton John’s iconic music or Tim Rice’s lyrics, then its the characters you'll love. Julie Taymor’s directorial conception blends African culture, language, movement and costume underneath masks and puppetry of the animal characters. The choral elements of The Lion King merge magically with the masks and elegance of the puppetry that create a visual feast for the senses. This is the family show of the year. Yes, the tickets are expensive, but one of the longest-running and highest-grossing musicals holds that mantle for a reason. Get your tickets here.

These school hols, Sydney Zoo (not to be confused with Taronga Zoo) invites your little ones to be a Gruffalo Spotter. You'll need to download the free app and follow clues through a self-led augmented reality trail to find Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and, of course, the Gruffalo while visiting all your favourite zoo animals along the way. The best bit? Gruffalo Spotters Trail is included free with zoo entry, making it one of Western Sydney’s best-value outings for families.

When October rolls around, the jacaranda trees all across Sydney (and NSW) come into bloom. Sydneysiders have fallen so deeply in love with these lilac goddesses that the jacaranda tree is often mistaken as an Australian native (she’s actually a Brazilian babe).

Here are a few of the top spots to go tree hunting around Sydney and NSW:

1. Circular Quay and the Rocks

2. McDougall Street, Kirribilli

3. Oxford Street and Glenmore Road, Paddington

4. The University of Sydney

5. Lavender Bay

6. Royal Botanical Gardens

7. Argyle Street, Camden

8. Grafton in the Northern Rivers

The Art Gallery of NSW is a fab, kid-friendly space that allows creative minds to wonder and wander. Right now, Avatar: Forms of Vishnu exhibition with more than 200 artworks spanning ancient sculpture, textiles, paintings, photography and large-scale contemporary installations of Hindu deity Vishu is on. Kids will also love Mechelle Bounpraseuth's playful exhibition of larger-than-life ceramic sculptures of foods that connect us. Plus, there are tons of free drop-in workshops running right through the school holidays. Get all the details here.

The State Library of NSW is celebrating its 200th birthday with 200 Years of Awe, from September 25 to October 21. This six-week program of performances, talks and free events brings together First Nations storytelling, theatre and dance, plus live music in the Macquarie Street forecourt every Wednesday evening, giving you plenty of reasons to visit.

A full 90 years since its famous smile first lit up the Harbour, Luna Park is still Sydney's favourite vintage attraction. You'll be greeted by Martin Sharp's iconic clown face at the entrance, and get the chance to check out the park's new immersive experiences as well as old-school faves – including the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, which is back in action after a multi-million dollar restoration project. From sideshow games and thrilling rides to Coney Island and the ferris wheel, there's something for everyone. Ready?

When you want to beat the crowds or get some beach time in quick-snap during the school holidays, these secluded sands found up and down the harbour shores should be your go-tos. The kids will have a blast – and you can rest easy knowing they are safe. But which ones are worth the trip? We asked an expert – Caroline Ford, author of the new book Sydney Beaches: A History – for her top tips.

Nutcote is the harbourside home of May Gibbs (1877-1969),  Australia’s most loved children’s author and illustrator who is best known for The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie. Visit Nutcote in Neutral Bay to reminisce about Gumnut Babies and Banksia Men, learn about Gibbs and relax in the gardens. Our tip? Book in for their lovely High Teas held on Sundays. Find out more here.

Are you kids into history and science? Take them to the Australian Museum where general entry is free every day. Given that they've currently got the very interesting (albiet, gory) Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires on until October 11, the school holiday activities are connected to this theme. What's more, their 2-for-1 ticket offer is now on. Get the full school holiday program here. 

Get the kids outside with these gorgeous walking routes in and around our beautiful city. From easy breezy coastal walks to half-day bush hikes and multi-day expeditions, Sydney is blessed with many different walking paths that will suit amblers of all abilities.

Enrol the little dancer of the house into one of Sydney's most established dance school's school holiday workshops. The School Holiday Workshops have everything from jazz and contemporary to commercial dance. The classes target both beginners and kids who have been dancing since they could walk, so find something that suits your child. Find out more here.

Hidden deep within the heart of Centennial Park is a playground like no other. Fit out with a wild tree house, bamboo forest, a water-play area, banksia tunnels, turtle mounds and dry creek beds, this ‘wild play’ locale is full of wonderful nooks and crannies that keep kids entertained and connected to the great  outdoors, all from within the controlled paradise of Centennial Park. Open 10am-5pm daily. 

Defy gravity at iFLY Sydney. And yes,  kids as young as three can do indoor skydiving here. It’s all about the "look mum, look dad" here, as the indoor skydiving takes place behind glass in the middle of the venue – so even being a spectator is fun. They also have a camera taking pictures throughout your ‘dive’ so you can purchase your most impressive pose – complete with G-force cheeks. Find out more here.

Urbnsurf Sydney is a good place to let kids blow off some steam these school holidays. The "Bays" offer safe, gentle, rolling green and whitewater waves perfect for those who are learning to play in the waves. You can do a Boog in the Bays session, which is a great way for kids to build confidence on a bodyboard while developing fundamental skills. It's open daily from 6am till late. Keen? 

Bowling is a lark for all ages, and Strike Bowling has multiple venues throughout Sydney, including the harbourside location at King Street Wharf, complete with a cocktail bar and three escape rooms; the Entertainment Quarter location in Moore Park, as well as the Chatswood, North Ryde and Castle Towers bowling alleys.

This little pocket of Alexandria is the perfect place to hide out on a rainy day. You’ve got 9 Degrees for indoor climbing, Hijinx Hotel for group challenges, Holey Moley for mini golf, boozing for the grown-ups at Rocks Brewing Co, plus an arcade of retro games, bowling and laser tag at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Inside, there are bowling lanes, an interactive 3D theatre ride (our pick of the whole venue), a laser tag zone for kids, the tightest dodgem track you’ll ever come across, and a whole lot of arcade games. They've now also opened shop in Chatswood, Penrith, Entertainment Quarter and Castle Towers. Find out more here. 

Sydney Olympic Park has you covered with an action-packed program for the school hols, designed for kids of all ages and abilities. Choose from swimming, diving, basketball, archery, writing, cheerleading, table tennis, as well as all-day multi-sports camps. It's a chance for kids to acquire new skills and burn off energy while they're at it. Get the deets here. 

The largest island in Sydney's harbour was once home to a convict gaol and a huge shipbuilding factory. Today, the island is run by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust – with many of the incredible old buildings still intact and waiting to be exploted. The trust run different types of tours – visitors can opt for a self-guided audio tour or on-demand guided tour (60 or 90 mins.) Those who want to stay on a bit longer also have options – there are camp sites, glamping packages, apartments or heritage holiday houses. Check out their tour offerings here.

Believe it or not, Manly Surf School runs lessons even during the winter school holidays. So if you child is daring enough to brave the cold, sign up for surf lessons in Collaroy, Long Reef, Narrabeen, Palm Beach, and, of course, Manly Beach. You can book your kid into a single session or multiples, or into the  school holiday program (various dates). You can even take a lesson along with them, if you're keen to upskill. 

Sydney's playgrounds are the perfect place to use up any pent-up energy. Let wriggly little ones run free at these parks and playgrounds that know how to entertain the real bosses of the household. Click through to see our top picks and find one you haven't been to before.

Want your kid to get benefit out of their screen time? Children aged 5-13 can develop valuable computer skills at a two- to three-day Code Camp. There are 121 Code Camp locations around Australia, though they can also join in online. Choose a camp based on their interests – coding, Minecraft, robotics and more. Check out their school holiday offerings here.

If you're keen to get the kids away from their screens and into the great outdoors, camping is an excellent option. Just make sure you rug up as it will be chilly. Camping sites near Sydney are not only plentiful, but they're also one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a mini-break. We've tried and tested some of our favourite campgrounds, located in New South Wales’ most breathtaking and secluded spots.

Sometimes, a holiday day calls for a visit to the movies, especially when it's muggy or rainy outside. Order a bucket of popcorn and settle in for a family-friendly flick at one or the best cinemas in the city.

Exhausted all that Sydney has to offer? Jump in the car, and you'll discover a whole new world thanks to our round-up of the best day trips close to the city. Don't have a vehicle? This list of the best day trips to take using public transport should help.