Top Things To Do with Babies and Toddlers in Sydney
- Preschoolers
Mums & Bubs
Toddlers
By: Serina Hajje, ellaslist
Take a look at our list of action-packed baby and toddler activities in Sydney:
Nature Activities
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Animal Encounters invites little ones nice and close to their favourite fluffy animal. Dine with a koala, pat a python and feed a cassowary! And if you have brekkie with a koala, you get to have a private tour and can say g’day to the animals before the crowds come in.
Fish Feeding at Chinese Gardens
A visit to the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour is a wonderful option for young kids and parents will love it too. It’s a magical oasis of waterfalls, lakes and exotic plants in the heart of the city. Don’t miss the fun dress-ups and the chance to feed the beautiful Koi fish at 11.30am daily! Then enjoy some treats and tea at the tea house. Note: there is a lot of water around so keep a tight hand on your toddler if they’re out of the pram and note, some of the pathways are rocky and steep and therefore not pram-friendly so take a carrier instead if possible.
Royal Botanic Garden
It’s a botanical and cultural oasis that’s perfect for a picnic and an afternoon of imaginative play amongst the almost mystical bushes. A great way to get around is to take a ride on the Choo Choo Express mini train service – you get to take a load off your feet and your little ones enjoy the excitement of a mini train ride.
Calmsley Hill City Farm
There's always something on at this ever-popular city farm. From animal petting to cow milking, tractor rides, a stock whip show, a working dog show, and a koala talk, your little one will seriously fall in love with animals.
The Basin
Hop on a ferry to The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and let the kids explore the beaches and parks! Tread quietly through the natural bush to spot any kangaroos.
The Entrance, NSW Central Coast
There’s so much to do here. Visit the gorgeous Vera’s Water Garden, throw some crumbs to the pelicans and then let the kids run around Memorial Park. More ideas here.
Bushwalking Trails
Sydney is surrounded by some beautiful, lush trails! Check out Sydney’s Best Bushwalking trails with Toddlers & Preschoolers.
Fun Activities
Bouncing Off The Walls
Skyzone’s Little Leapers sessions are not available during the school holidays. However, there are ‘Toddler Only’ jump areas allocated during the holidays. Little ones can bounce to their heart’s content in their own safe, dedicated area without big kids mowing them down.
Ultimate Sydney Indoor Play Centre
Ultimate Sydney in Northmead is a huge entertainment venue, launched in 2016 by two mums who have 7 children between them. It is home to Australia’s largest indoor play centre, divided in two, so little ones are kept safe and secure. Open daily.
Seriously Serene Indoor Playtime
At Nubo, the blue and white colour scheme and instrumental nursery rhymes contribute to the totally serene, heavenly play time experience so different to the chaos of many other play centres. Toddlers will love the blue ball pit and imagination zones.
Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
While the bigger kids will be distracted by the pop-up fun park (which does have a few fun rides for young ones and a petting zoo), the rest of the quarter will be open to your little one. Enjoy the excellent outdoor playground or take the kids inside for a creative treat to Plaster Painting Studios, which is open every day for fun plaster painting activities. Kids will love all the activities at the Saturday Foodies & Farmer's Markets where there will be gourmet goods, pony rides, jumping castles and lots more.
Darling Harbour for Toddlers
Darling Harbour is the perfect day-out with your little one. Ride on the antique steam-engined 1892 carousel, which is stunning to look at and thrilling to ride. It’s located at Palm Grove near the Sydney Visitor Centre. The Darling Harbour Children’s Playground is considered one of the best play parks in Sydney, with water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides, and a 21-metre flying fox.
Best Big Thrills
Who says thrills are for big kids only! We’ve found the most exciting adventures for little ones from pony rides to bouncing sessions. They’re perfectly safe and tons of fun for toddlers who are eager to burn some energy. Check out Six of the Best Big Thrills for Little Ones.
Summer Fun
If you're little one is hot and bothered- a trip to Wet'n'Wild Sydney might just be on the cards! Although there are heaps of superslides and rides for bigger kids and adults, what most parents don't know is that Nickelodeon Beach, Dinosaur Lagoon and The Beach are all totally toddler and family friendly!
Indoor Playgrounds in Shopping Malls
If the weather is pouring down or you simply can’t be bothered to go on a gruelling trek, then pop into your local shopping mall! You can do some shopping, get a coffee and let the kids go wild in the Best Indoor Playgrounds In Shopping Malls. The bonus is that most of the indoor play areas are more suited for younger kids so the older ones get bored and leave very quickly.
Mums & Bubs Movies
Take your baby with you and watch a great movie in your local cinema without any worries about your baby getting restless and disturbing the audience. That’s what Mums and Bubs movies sessions are designed for and we’ve rounded up the best in Sydney.
Fenced Playgrounds & Bike Parks
As mums of toddlers will know, finding a playground which is fenced makes the whole outing so much easier! You’re not worrying constantly about your mini-houdinis wandering off onto roads or other trouble. Take a look at some of our favourite fenced playgrounds across Sydney – they’re so good your little ones won’t even want to escape! If it's a hot summer's day, then scrap the adventure playgrounds and head straight to a FREE water play park!
And for your little learner riders, there are some amazing bike and scooter trails and dedicated learner rider parks around Sydney. Here are some much-loved bike parks for the under 5s.
Awesome Educational Activities
Australian National Maritime Museum
Grab the Free Galleries Ticket at the Maritime Museum which covers the permanent galleries and the under 5’s play zone Mini Mariners Play. Mini Mariners is an interactive gallery and play space for kids under five, with free-play games, activities and displays specially designed to stimulate their growing minds and inspire their curiosity.
Sydney Living Museums
The gorgeous collection of 12 Sydney Living Museums properties offers sprawling lawns, fountains, animals and fascinating historic houses to explore. They are the perfect destinations for kids encouraging hands-on activities like museum kids’ trails, cooking meals and lots of other exciting activities. During school holidays, we recommend taking one of their Family Tours or Kids in the Kicthen workshops- educational and engaging for the whole family!
Art Gallery of NSW
If you have a flowering artist or just a kid that loves to get their hands scribbling furiously, then they’ll love the Art Gallery! Admission is free, and so are the permanent galleries and most exhibitions and events. The Tours for Tots and Drop-In and Make sessions are great for kids 5 years and younger. See their free activities here.
Australian Museum
We just can’t get enough of Kidspace at the Australian Museum. This dedicated area for under-5’s is a treasure trove of nature. There are dress-ups, puzzles, art & craft, puppets, animals and lots of interactive activities.
Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum offers so many fun things for little ones. Our crew love visiting the trains and exploring the outdoor playground. And let’s not forget the Wiggles exhibition, that was recently renovated and fit with an intercative big red car, and memorabilia from the new cast including Lachie's teddy bear and Emma's ballet slippers.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
With its continually changing program of exhibitions and workshops we never get tired of visiting the MCA with our little ones. For Mums and bubs, take the Art Baby guided tour and multi-sensory play session, while toddlers and preschoolers love the engaging Art Safari sessions introducing art through music, storytelling, drama and crafts. Our top pick is their new Lucky Charms room on Wednesday mornings during Art Play where kids can enjoy exhibition-related toys and games in a room filled with 600 soft, sculptural good luck charms.
Eating Out
Treat your kids (and yourself) to a fun meal out. Here are a couple of delicious and kid-friendly ideas:
Reviews
Adele
Apr 11 2016
I'm so looking forward to starting the kids school holidays. I usually find myself planning ahead of time. I like to take my girls to places that don't cost me much and i find sites like Scoopon are fantastic for finding school holiday deals. I always like to save where i can :) This is a great list you have here. I do like the Powerhouse Museum. It's very inexpensive admission and such a good museum, both fun and educational. Highly recommend it.
