Six Of The Best Things To Do In The City With Kids

By: Megan Gibson, ellaslist explorer

Sydney is a great city to explore with kids, but its best to plan your day according to weather, seasonal events and the ages and attention spans of the children you are taking. Here are the best things to do that shows that Sydney City is a haven for kids!

1. The Darling Quarter Kids Playground

This park has all you need to keep the kids entertained for hours (including a handy McDonalds). There is a flying fox, balance ropes and a huge ring swing for the big kids, along with a slide hill, sandpit and climbing nets for the smaller ones.  And let’s not forget the awesome water park - with water screw, pump station and a squirt play area, swimmers and towels recommended year round. The playground is large and busy -especially during the warmer months, weekends and school holidays.

2. Powerhouse Museum

The recent introduction of free entry for under 16’s only makes the powerhouse an even more fantastic place to take the kids.  Especially on school days, some of the exhibitions are practically empty (apart from the occasional school excursion) allowing kids to explore and touch at length. Not your typical "quiet" museum, children are encouraged to explore, climb and touch to experience all there is to offer. 

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens wrap around the foreshore starting at the Opera House. Whether you just need the kids to run off some steam or have time to explore more fully, the gardens are amazing year round. Featuring a fernery, succulent house, statues, herb gardens, fountains and café, along with a dose of history and equal measure of scenery make the gardens well worth a visit. We also picked it as a family favourite picnic destination. Hint: have a chocolate feast at Piccolo Me! 

4. Art Gallery Of NSW and The Domain

You wouldn’t normally expect an art gallery to be on a list of places to explore with kids, but the Art Gallery of NSW is perfect for dipping into, as long as the kids can contain themselves and then they can run and shout in the Domain just across the road. While some of the gallery guards may look sideways at small children in the galleries, and calm is key, kids can absorb so much from a quick walk through a selection of galleries.  Some of the lower galleries even have children’s activities set up in quiet corners. And the Domain is perfect for a running race, history lesson, picnic or photo shoot with the amazing Moreton Bay Figs.

5. Ride The Ferry To Manly

While not technically “in” the city, a ferry ride to Manly begins at Circular Quay. Everyone rushes for an outside seat as the ferry gates open – with good reason, the views are spectacular, whichever side you sit on. (Some) Kids will love the increase in rocking as the ferry passes the heads.  If you have the time, once you arrive stroll down the Corso (and have a splash in the fountains) to the beach and have an ice-cream and a paddle before you commence your return journey. Check out the cool places ellaslist found for kids to do in Manly!

6. The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum also benefits from the recent introduction of free entry for under 16’s.  What child can deny the excitement of dinosaurs, bones, turtle shells, birds and more?  There is something to see for everyone and a special “kids space” area that allows kids free range to explore and engage. For a great cafe with a view, you’re in the right place.