School Holidays in Sydney: Winter

Need some fresh ideas for the winter school holidays? As a Sydney mum and grandma who’s spent years exploring this city with kids in tow, I’ve put together this guide to cover the best of what’s on across the two weeks.

The winter school holidays run Monday 6 to Friday 15 July.

Winter holidays can be a challenge — cooler and sometimes wet weather leaves us hunting for places for kids to let off steam. Sunny days are perfect for getting outside, family hikes, trips to the Blue Mountains, temperatures may be cool but once you get moving you soon warm up. This is also the time of year when indoor fun, museums, shows and play centres fill more quickly so it’s a good idea to book early so you don’t miss out.

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Special Holiday Wildlife Events

For a complete guide to Sydney’s wildlife experiences, check out our detailed article on Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks.

Adventures at Taronga Zoo

Taronga Zoo‘s program includes visits to Backyard to Bush farm, keeper presentations throughout the zoo, and hands-on learning sessions. Kids must wear the provided Zoo Adventures t-shirt during the visit (this helps staff identify program participants in busy areas).

Hot tip: Consider a Zoo Friends Annual Membership from $99 – it works out to just 65c per day and includes both Taronga zoos plus discounts on experiences and accommodation.

Sydney Zoo

Sydney Zoo at Eastern Creek is running Creatures of the Ice Age these winter holidays, with 14 life-size animatronic and static creatures — including woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed tigers, dire wolves, terror birds, and ground sloths — positioned throughout a themed walk-through zone. The event runs from 26 June to 16 August, making it one of the longer-running school holiday events in Western Sydney.

New this year is a Snow Dome — a walk-through soft-play experience designed for younger children, with a sensory environment and supervision during opening hours. There’s also an Augmented Reality Colouring Experience where kids colour Ice Age-themed sheets and scan them at iPad stations to see their creations come to life. A snow machine runs along the pathway throughout the event for atmosphere.

During the school holidays (6–17 July), the full experience runs daily. On weekends outside the holidays, the Snow Dome and AR colouring are available but the animatronic trail runs throughout the whole event period.

When: 26 June – 16 August 2026
Where: Sydney Zoo, Bungarribee, Western Sydney
Cost: Free with zoo entry. Children under 3 free. See sydneyzoo.com for admission prices and to book.

Buy your pass now and skip the queue

Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Back for a second year, this Nintendo collaboration runs across the full school holidays and beyond. Pick up an Island Excursion Guide on arrival and work your way through the aquarium collecting embossed stamps from island characters including Fang, Stitches, and Flip.

Blathers pops up throughout with marine life facts, and there’s a meet and greet with Isabelle for photos. Complete the trail and you leave with an exclusive commemorative postcard.

When: 1 July to 23 August 2026, during regular aquarium hours
Where: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour
Cost: Included with general admission. See below for family ticket pricing.

SEA LIFE Sydney Family Tickets

New flexible family tickets are available online through 20 July, with savings of up to 40% when booked in advance.

• 1 adult and 2 children: from $78
• 2 adults and 1 child: from $87
• 2 adults and 2 children: $107
• Extra children: $20 each

Children under 2 are free but must be booked in. You can also add a WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo visit for $10 per person. Book at visitsealife.com/sydney

Museums and Galleries

Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires – Australian Museum

Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires spans nine immersive sections covering the biology of blood, the evolution of blood-feeding across millions of years, and how to live alongside these species. More than 100 objects, specimens, large-scale models, and digital interactives bring the science to life — from vampire bats and medicinal leeches to candiru catfish and oxpeckers.

The exhibition also explores how bloodsuckers have shaped literature, mythology, and popular culture, with a section dedicated to Australia’s own blood-feeding insects.

When: Until 11 October 2026
Where: Australian Museum, College Street, Sydney
Ages: 4+ Cost: From $28 adults, from $15 children (4–15 years) Book now

Staying overnight? Pullman Sydney Hyde Park has a family-of-four package that includes exhibition tickets, buffet breakfast, overnight accommodation, and an activity pack for kids. The hotel is a three-minute walk from the museum.

Museums of History NSW

If you’re looking for activities spread across multiple days, Museums of History NSW has programs running at six different heritage properties. Most drop-in activities are free, with some paid workshops requiring booking.

Hyde Park Barracks – Start with the kids trail and audio tour, then dive into craft activities from 10am-3pm, make your own convict love token or construct a paper replica of the Barracks. The museum is open daily 10am-6pm. Last entry 4.30pm.

Also at the Barracks you can join a Jade Goodwin Illustration Workshop – First Nations artist Jade Goodwin has created colourful illustrations for more than 20 different children’s books. Join Jade this NAIDOC Week for a special illustration workshop for kids and families.

When: Thurs. 9 July or Fri. 10 July, 11am–12pm each day Cost: General $20, Member $16, Mob Tix $15 (each ticket includes one complimentary adult) Book now

Museum of Sydney – Kids trail tied to the Unearthed exhibition — children search for objects buried beneath the city and uncover the stories behind them. Story Time sessions at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm celebrating Country through storytelling. Open daily 10am–5pm.

Justice & Police Museum -Pick up a kids trail and work your way through Sydney’s original Water Police Station and courts. Kids can earn a police badge, dress up in costume, and take part in a mock trial with the family. Open daily 10am–5pm during school holidays (4–19 July).

Vaucluse House– Play quoits in the garden, try craft bunting, and learn about entertaining in the Victorian era through a table-setting activity. Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am–4pm.

Rouse Hill Estate– Drop in on Sundays for basket-weaving workshops, Lego building, and a chance to meet farm animals. Open Sundays 10am–4pm.

Dharug Day Out 

Celebrate First Nations cultures on Dharug Country. Rouse Hill estate are joining forces with Muru Mittigar Cultural Centre to bring you a day of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, featuring live music, cultural performances and a range of food and artisan stalls.

Where: Rouse Hill Estate, 356 Annangrove Road, Rouse Hill
When: Sunday 12 July, 11am–2pm Cost: Free, registration recommended Register now

Elizabeth Farm – Play quoits in the garden, make a mini greenhouse to take home, or try doing the laundry by hand the old-fashioned way. Open Monday to Saturday 10am–4pm during school holidays.

Cost: Most drop-in activities free, workshops from $15-20
Bookings: Essential for paid workshops via Museums of History NSW website
Hot tip: Museum members get 20% off workshops and early booking access

Australian National Maritime Museum – Winter Holidays

The Maritime Museum’s winter program ties into its Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition, with a mix of free drop-in activities and ticketed workshops running across the holidays.

Free and included with admission:

• Kids on Deck maker space — write your name in runes, make hammered jewellery, build a model longship, or try on Viking costume in a longhouse-inspired cubby. Daily 10.30am to 4pm, ages 4 to 14.
• Bricktropolis: Viking Village — Lego building inspired by early medieval cultures, plus a collaborative Viking mosaic mural that grows across the holidays. Daily 10am to 4pm, all ages.
• Museum Treasure Trail — self-guided activity trail through the galleries with a treat for finishing. Daily 10am to 4.30pm, ages 4 to 10. Free.
• Cabinet of Curiosities: Fighting Vikings — handle Viking age weapons, rune-carved amulets, and a reindeer pelt. Daily 10.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 3pm, all ages. Free.
• Deep Sea Screenings — ambient ROV dive footage in the theatre with field sketching guides provided. Daily 10am to 4pm. Free.

Special events:

Free Open Day for NAIDOC Week — cultural performances, artmaking, guided tours, and workshops celebrating ’50 Years of Deadly’. No bookings needed. When: Sunday 5 July, 10am to 4pm. Free.

Underwater Drone Challenge — pilot underwater drones in the harbour with ocean-science educators. Bookings recommended. When: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, sessions from 12pm to 3pm. Ages 8+. Cost: $35 general, $25 members.

Active fun

Got energetic kids? Here are some special holiday activities that will keep them moving and having fun:

Darling Harbour Ice Rink

The ice rink returns to Palm Grove Forecourt outside IMAX Sydney with daily sessions from 10am to 9pm. Skating aids are available for younger children.

On Fridays at 5.45pm and 6.45pm, six skaters perform a 12-minute ice show.

When: 10am–9pm, 27 June–19 July
Where: Palm Grove Forecourt, outside IMAX Sydney
Cost: $17 under 4 | $22 under 14 | $29 adult | $77 family pass

Kids Kung Fu Animal Adventures

Held inside the Chinese Garden of Friendship, these 20-minute sessions introduce kids to martial arts through animal-inspired movements — stretching like a crane, prowling like a tiger.

One child free per full-paying adult.

When: Weekdays 6–17 July, sessions at 11am, 12pm and 1pm
Where: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour
Cost: One child free per full-paying adult

Family Fun Challenge by AmazingCo.

Turn Sydney into your playground with AmazingCo’s family mystery picnics. Follow clues, solve puzzles, and discover hidden gems around the city while enjoying quality family time. Perfect for kids who love solving mysteries!

AmazingCo Family Adventure Days

Transform your school holidays with these unique family quests, each combining activities, food, and exploration:

• Marrickville: Build robots from recycled materials and follow a scavenger hunt trail (ages 4-10, 3 hours)
• Arcadia: Meet farm animals, collect eggs, and enjoy lunch at a farmgate cafe (ages 3-10, 3 hours)
• Cockatoo Island: Take a ferry ride for a spooky ghost-themed quest with harbor views (ages 5-10, 4-5 hours)

Tip: All adventures include a rain check guarantee and optional at-home activities to extend the fun.

Cost: Varies by adventure
Bookings: Essential via AmazingCo website

AmazingCo. also offers family mystery picnics and family date nights.

Holiday Pony Camps at Centennial Equestrian

Centennial Equestrian Centre runs two camp formats across the Easter holidays, both with an Easter twist — egg hunts, horse-themed arts and crafts, and pony decorating alongside the riding and horse care.

Junior Jockey Camp (ages 5–7) is a half-day program covering pony care, grooming, feeding, and a 50–70 minute led pony ride. A good introduction for younger kids with no riding experience.

Full-Day Holiday Camp (ages 7+) runs 9am–4pm and includes horse care, horsemanship sessions, a group riding lesson in the arena, and a guided trail ride through Centennial Park. If it rains, the trail ride is swapped for an undercover arena session or mounted games.

When: Easter school holidays — check website for specific dates
Where: Centennial Equestrian Centre, Centennial Park
Cost: Check eastsideriding.com.au for current pricing

Spotlight Prowl for families

Dusk is a wonderful time to spot animals in Centennial Parklands. Join experienced Rangers for a fascinating spotlight walk to see how the Park transforms after dark, spotting brushtail possums, microbats, tawny frogmouths, and one of Sydney’s largest colonies of grey-headed flying-foxes.

Embark on an enlightening spotlight walk guided by expert Rangers. This adventure gives you a rare glimpse into the nighttime world of these fascinating creatures, showing a different, more mysterious side of the park as darkness descends.

Junior Ranger – Royal National Park

Kids aged 6 to 12 can spend a morning learning what it actually takes to work in a national park. This guided 90-minute program covers navigation, survival skills, and specialised ranger roles including fire-fighting, plant and animal research, whale rescue, and helicopter operations.

Kids use real equipment, get hands-on with activities, and learn about the wildlife and ecosystems the park protects. All activities are on flat ground with short walking distances — accompanying adults get in free.

When: TBC
Where: Royal National Park Visitor Centre, Ironbark Flat picnic area Cost: $15 per child (6–12). Accompanying adults free. Park entry fees apply.
Book: 1300 072 757 or book online at nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Hot tip: Only two dates available across the entire holidays — bookings will go fast. If you miss out consider an easy family walk in the park.

Performance & Theatre for kids

The Big Bubble Show… In Space! – Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill

Two performances only of this bubble-and-science stage show featuring Dr Bubble and Milkshake. Expect smoke-filled spheres, shadow bubble puppetry, fire bubbles, a bubble fire tornado, and oversized geometric shapes. Aimed at all ages.

When: Tuesday 15 July 2026, two performances.
Where: Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill
Cost: From $29.90 plus booking fees. Book at coliseumtheatre.com.au

Where is the Green Sheep? – Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill

Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings its stage adaptation of the Mem Fox and Judy Horacek picture book to Western Sydney for two days in the July school holidays. The production blends puppetry and animation, with three farmers searching for the elusive green sheep alongside a cast of colourful characters.

Co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, it’s aimed at young children and their families.

When: Friday 17 July at 10am and 12.30pm, Saturday 18 July at 11am
Where: Coliseum Theatre, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill
Cost: Check monkeybaa.com.au for ticket prices and to book

MaaMaa and Nonna’s Kitchen – Sydney Opera House

A baking workshop and performance for toddlers and their carers, straight from sell-out seasons in Melbourne. Children put on aprons and make dough for Chinese steamed buns and Italian focaccia alongside two grandmother characters, finishing with a shared feast.

Sessions run 60 minutes and require one carer per child. Note: this work contains gluten.

When: 10 to 18 July 2026, 10.30am and 2pm daily (no Monday sessions)
Where: Centre for Creativity, Sydney Opera House
Cost: $60 carer and child. Additional adult family members $30 (limited availability). $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Suits ages 2 to 4.

YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things – Sydney Opera House

When: 4 to 19 July 2026, multiple sessions daily. Auslan interpreted performance 10 July, audio described 5 July.
Where: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $39.90 to $49.90. $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Ages 6+.

Pay No Attention – Sydney Opera House

Thirteen young acrobats from the Flying Fruit Fly Circus perform a high-energy show that mixes circus skills, comedy, and sleight of hand. The show runs across the first week of the holidays only.

A VIP Inside the Circus add-on experience is available at selected sessions.

When: 4 to 11 July 2026, multiple sessions. Check sydneyoperahouse.com for specific times.
Where: Studio, Sydney Opera House Cost: From $29.90 to $49.90. Ages 6+.

Antarctica! – Sydney Opera House

Created by Irish company Rosán Sensory Adventures, this 45-minute immersive show is designed for children aged 4 to 8 and their families, as well as young people aged 14 to 18 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. It draws on Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, told through live music, soundscapes, textured sets, and movement rather than words.

The 10am sessions at each date are reserved for the disability audience — general public should book the 12pm or 3pm sessions. Note: this runs after the school holidays.

When: 25 to 26 July and 1 to 2 August 2026, 10am, 12pm and 3pm
Where: Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House Cost: $39 per ticket. $8.95 booking fee per transaction. Ages 4+

Free things to do

School holidays don’t have to break the bank! Along with the featured activities below, check your local library and shopping centre programs—they often host free workshops, storytelling sessions, and craft activities during the school breaks.

Many local councils also run free events that don’t make it into citywide guides, so it’s worth checking their websites or Facebook pages. To get you started here are some of our favorite free activities happening around Sydney these holidays:

Spark Puppet Workshop and Show

A free school holiday treat at Bondi Festival’s closing weekend. Kids can join the afternoon workshop to craft their own puppets, then learn how to bring their creations to life as night falls. The workshop is recommended for primary age children.

The evening centres on Nova, a giant illuminated Fire Spirit puppet who hovers through the crowd, lighting up Bondi Park with movement and magic. It’s a lovely way to wrap up a winter afternoon at the beach.

When: Saturday 18 July 2026, 4pm to 6:45pm
Where: Bondi Park Cost: Free

Kids Gardening Classes at Chiswick

Get your kids’ hands dirty at these free gardening workshops where they’ll plant, dig, and harvest produce from Chiswick’s working garden. Resident gardener Pete Hatfield shows children how the restaurant grows food for its menu, all while teaching them about caring for the earth.

The hour-long sessions take place in the restaurant’s garden, surrounded by bugs, butterflies, and seasonal blooms. Kids learn practical skills like planting and harvesting while discovering where restaurant food actually comes from.

After the class, families can head into the restaurant for lunch where kids eat free with any adult main purchased (one complimentary kids’ meal per adult main, 12 years and under only).

When: Wednesday 8th and 15th July.
Where: Chiswick Woollahra, 65 Ocean Street, Woollahra
Cost: Free classes, bookings essential l Ages: 5-12 years, Book direct

Hot tip: Only book spaces for children attending the class, not supervising adults. The kids-eat-free lunch offer is only valid for those who attended the gardening class.

Darling Harbour Winter School Holidays

Darling Harbour has a packed program across the school holidays, with a mix of free drop-in activities, ticketed experiences, and things happening at different times across the two weeks.

For the full program visit darlingharbour.com/whats-on/campaigns/winter-festival

Here’s what’s on that won’t dent the budget:

Arctic Activity Zone

Two days of free family activities at the Convention Forecourt, including a scavenger hunt through the precinct, a dance den with Northern Lights-inspired lighting and hourly 20-minute dance classes, and a craft camp with snowman making, slime workshops, and snow globe creations to take home.

When: 11am–3pm, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July
Where: Convention Forecourt, Darling Harbour Cost: Free

Darling Square Snow Globe

Step inside a giant inflatable snow globe with falling snow, plus winter-themed face painting. Free entry with any purchase from a Darling Square retailer.

When: 12pm–3pm, Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 July
Where: Darling Square, in front of The Exchange building
Cost: Free with any Darling Square retail purchase

Free Kids Yoga

Free 45-minute yoga sessions for kids, led by instructor Dee Dee and held in the open air. The classes mix playful poses with mindful movement, focusing on body awareness, breathing, and self-expression. Parents and carers are welcome to join in. Register on arrival — mats are provided and it’s first in, best dressed.

When: Fridays 10.30am–11.30am
Where: Darling Harbour Cost: Free

Darling Harbour Playground

Darling Harbour’s playground is worth a visit even if you’ve been before — there’s a massive climbing frame, a 21-metre flying fox, and swings for all ages, plus newer installations that have been added in recent years. It’s a good spot to burn some energy before or after other Darling Harbour activities.

There are cafes and family-friendly food options surrounding the playground, making it easy to spend several hours here.

Kids’ Meals at Darling Harbour

If you’re spending the day at the aquarium, playground, or just exploring the harbour, Darling Harbour has a solid run of restaurants offering kids’ meals under $16 for children 12 and under, available every day.

• Auvers Cafe — $15 Happy Meal: choose from nuggets and chips, fish and chips, or creamy chicken egg noodles. Before midday, scrambled eggs or smashed avo on brioche toast are also on offer. Includes apple juice, orange juice, or a babychino for the pre-midday crowd.
• Pancakes on the Rocks — Kids meals under $15: Mad Hatter cheeseburger with chips, Ned Kelly buttermilk pancake with scrambled eggs and bacon, Crazy potato pancake, or dinosaur chicken nuggets.
• Ume Burger — $15.90 Tasty Kids Box: fish fingers, chicken nuggets, or a burger, all with plain chips and tomato sauce. Add apple or orange juice for $3.
• Wingboy — $12 chicken and chips: two chicken tenders or five wings with shoestring fries and tomato sauce. Mac and cheese also available for $9.
• Dopa Donburi — $14.50 Japanese-style kids meal: Chicken Teriyaki Don, Chicken Karaage Don, or Kakiage Don, with a drink and a small toy included.
• Uliveto — $15 kids meal: fish and chips, chicken nuggets with chips, Napolitana pasta, or cheeseburger.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.

Day Trips for the School Holidays

Sometimes you need to get out of the city, and these day trips are worth the drive or train ride. We have a bunch of fun day trips you can do on the train, but here are a couple of our favourite ideas.

Winter in the Blue Mountains

The mountains are a great day out for active kids. You can take the train or drive. Either way, there is plenty to do when you get there from easy bushwalks to family-friendly picnic spots.

The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus is a great way to explore the mountains without worrying about parking! We have written a detailed guide to the bus here.

If you decide to spend the night, take the Katoomba Falls Night-Lit Walk. Another unique experience is a nighttime visit to Scenic World.

You can even see how many of these lookouts you can squeeze into one day.

Take the train to Cronulla, and then jump on the ferry across Port Hacking. A short walk will get you to the Jibbon Aboriginal Carvings. Easy bushwalking, manageable for school-age kids. Our Royal National Park walks guide has everything you need.

This is a fun day out for school age kids with some easy bushwalking. If you fancy a longer bushwalk, check out our guide to the walks in the Royal National Park.

Australian Reptile Park

About an hour’s drive from the CBD on the Central Coast, the Australian Reptile Park is a reliable school holidays option for kids who can’t get enough of wildlife. Koalas, crocodiles, giant tortoises, and plenty of snakes and lizards. We’ve got a full guide to Sydney’s zoos and wildlife parks if you want to compare options before you go.

Where: Somersby, Central Coast (60 minutes’ drive from the CBD)
Cost: $48 adults, $30 kids, $135 families (2 adults, 2 kids)

For a broader look at family-friendly Sydney, check out our Sydney with Kids guide or our Rainy Days in Sydney guide.

2026-27 School Holiday Dates in New South Wales

Below is a list of the holiday dates for this year and next so you can start planning. Please note many schools have school development days on the first day of each term. Private schools may have a week longer than these public school dates.

Have questions about things to see and do in Sydney?
Head over and join our Facebook Group and we will be happy to help.