Sydney School Holiday Activities | Best Things to Do

The first step in planning the perfect school holiday activities is to mark your calendar. Here are the Sydney school holidays for 2025 so you can schedule fun outings, seminars, and excursions ahead of time:

Holidays and Term Breaks:

1. Summer Holidays

Start: Saturday, 20 December 2024, End: Monday, 27 January 2025

Why it’s great: The longest break, ideal for beach trips, multi-day camps, and exploring Sydney’s attractions without rush.

1. Autumn Holidays

Start: Saturday, 12 April 2025, End: Sunday, 27 April 2025

Perfect for: Outdoor adventures like coastal walks, Easter events, and Sydney Olympic Park activities. 

1. Winter Holidays

Start: Saturday, 5 July 2025 , End: Sunday, 20 July 2025

Best for: Indoor fun—museums, creative workshops, ice skating, and Luna Park’s winter festival.

1. Spring Holidays

Start: Saturday, 27 September 2025, End: Sunday, 12 October 2025

Top picks: Garden festivals, Darling Harbour events, and Dino Alive exhibits.

Pro Tips for Parents:

Book early: Popular school holiday programs (like BridgeClimb or SEA Life Aquarium workshops) fill fast.

Mix it up: Balance free days with structured activities (for example = one museum visit + one outdoor adventure per week).

Check for discounts: Many venues (for example = Sydney Tower Eye, Luna Park) offer family passes or early-bird deals.

Want some inspiration? Check out our list of the top school holiday activities in Sydney for  every season!

1. Play Through the Fun at Hey Caddy Macarthur

Located in Campbelltown, Hey Caddy Macarthur brings a uniquely themed mini golf adventure great for all ages. With vibrant lighting, hands-on challenges, and energizing music, it’s one of the most entertaining school holiday activities on offer.

Hey Caddy is definitely worth checking out this break. It’s not just for younger kids—teens and parents can join the fun too. Whether you’re playing to win or just swinging for laughs, it’s a fantastic indoor escape.

👉 Book your game at Hey Caddy Macarthur

2. Enjoy the Sydney Family Show as a celebration.

The Sydney Family Show, which takes place in the Entertainment Quarter, is entertaining for everybody. It’s one of the most fun ways to spend the holidays, with everything from stage acts and delicious food booths to carnival rides and petting zoos.

Children can participate in art classes, have their faces painted, or see live animal performances. While taking in the joyful atmosphere, parents can unwind. Here, laughing and learning go hand in hand.

3. Vintage Excitations at Luna Park

Your go-to spot for exciting enjoyment is Luna Park. There are rides for every level of excitement at this popular amusement park close to Darling Harbour, ranging from mild carousels to roller coasters that defy gravity.

Take some pictures near the well-known enormous face entrance—it’s a Sydney landmark! For the most recent offers on school holiday programs and special events, visit Luna Park’s website.

4. Explore Cockatoo Island Off-Shore

Would you like something a bit different? See Cockatoo Island, where adventure and history collide, by ferry. Youngsters will enjoy going on treasure hunts, discovering abandoned tunnels, and learning about Sydney’s past.

Family-friendly tours and artistic activities make this place enjoyable and significant. It’s a fantastic combination of outdoor freedom and experiential education.

5. Explore Sea Life at Darling Harbour

Love sea creatures? Then don’t miss SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, one of the top-rated school holiday activities for nature lovers. Located in Darling Harbour, it showcases everything from penguins and sharks to coral reefs and seahorses.

The hands-on exhibits let kids get up close with marine animals, and special events run throughout the holiday. Whether you’re walking through a shark tunnel or spotting clownfish, it’s a memory-maker.

6. Visit the Sydney Opera House to see Family Magic.

The Sydney Opera House is a fantastic place to visit during school break. It mixes fun, creativity, and culture. This famous landmark offers various shows for families and kids, making it enjoyable for all.

During school holidays, the Opera House features kid-friendly and exciting performances. There’s always something on stage to grab your child’s attention. From funny puppet shows to lively musicals and captivating storytelling, there’s something for everyone.

These performances suit all ages, even for the little ones seeing a live show for the first time. The stories are engaging, the characters are lively, and the shows hold children’s interest from beginning to end.

Recent audience hits include Blinky Bill the Musical, brimming with Aussie charm and adventure, and The Gruffalo Live, which brought a beloved children’s book to life in a charming way.

7. Explore Time at the History Museum

Go visit the Museum of History (previously Hyde Park Barracks) if your child likes historical fiction. Through interactive exhibits and digital displays, children may learn about Sydney’s convict past and Aboriginal history.

Children are able to touch, play, and even dress up in addition to reading plaques. It transforms from a history lecture into an educational experience when you include guided family tours and creative workshops.

8. At the Dino Alive Exhibit, roar with excitement.

Does your child love dinosaurs? If so, you must see the Dino Alive exhibit! With lifelike animatronic dinosaurs, fun fossil digs, and entertaining activities, this attraction is a big hit with families. It truly brings the prehistoric world to life.

Kids can walk among giant dinosaurs that move and snarl, just like in movies. They can also join interactive exhibits that teach about dinosaur life. Plus, they can dig for fossils like real paleontologists.

Children aged five to twelve will love it, but older siblings and parents will also enjoy the experience. This popular event travels to various venues in Sydney during school breaks. Check the dates and book your reservations early.

If your child is fascinated by T-Rexes, triceratops, or anything from the Jurassic era, this experience will amaze and thrill them!

9. Take Off at the Sydney Tower Eye

Searching for an enjoyable way to get a bird’s-eye view of Sydney? Visit one of the city’s tallest structures, the Sydney Tower Eye. Admire breathtaking views from the summit that extend from the Harbour Bridge to the Blue Mountains. It’s a serene and lovely way to spend a few hours with your family, particularly if you’re searching for something new to do.

The SKYWALK trip is a must-try for families who enjoy a little extra adventure. On a unique platform, 268 meters above the ground, you will be strolling outside the tower! It’s entirely safe and supervised by qualified professionals, so don’t worry. Teenagers and older children will adore this thrilling sport, especially if they like large vistas and a little excitement.

10. BridgeClimb Sydney Can Help You Reach New Heights

For children ages 8 and up, BridgeClimb Sydney offers an adventure they won’t soon forget. You can stroll the Harbour Bridge’s arches on guided climbs, which provide unparalleled views and historical anecdotes.

For kids looking for something truly unique, this school holiday activity is a must-do. It’s safe, educational, and completely Instagram-worthy.

Final Word: Make These Holidays Count

Holidays are more than simply a time off from school; they’re a great chance for families to unwind, strengthen their bonds, and create priceless memories. Every child can find something they enjoy in Sydney’s abundance of enjoyable activities.

Sydney offers a wealth of activities to keep your child active and stimulate their imagination, regardless of whether they are full of energy and eager for adventure, enjoy making things with their hands, or prefer quiet time outdoors. This city has it all, from visiting museums, lovely parks, or the aquatic delights at SEA LIFE to exhilarating amusement park rides and interactive activities.

Do something different during the holidays rather than letting them pass you by with screen time and boredom. Take the kids to the Opera House to laugh at a live family entertainment, explore old stories at a museum, go to the aquarium to learn about the water, or play mini golf at Hey Caddy.

Your children will remember these times of laughing, wonder, and discovery long after classes resume. So go ahead and make plans for something novel, enjoyable, and significant. Because the memories you make today will become their favorite stories tomorrow when it comes to family time.