Looking for the best things to do with kids on a rainy day in Sydney? Don’t let the wet weather keep you stuck at home—Sydney and the North Shore are full of fun indoor activities for kids of all ages.
Rainy days might put a pause on outdoor plans, but they don’t have to dampen the fun, especially when you’re entertaining kids. Once you’ve run out of ways to keep them busy at home (hello, blanket forts and board games), it’s time to explore some exciting indoor adventures.
Fortunately, Sydney—especially around the North Shore—is packed with kid-friendly spots that turn rainy days into memory-making days.
Whether you’re hoping to burn off some energy at an indoor play centre or indoor rock climbing gym, or you’re after a more relaxed outing like a family-friendly cinema or bowling alley, there’s something to suit every mood. Many shopping centres and cafés even offer free indoor playgrounds, making them perfect for a rainy-day lunch with kids. From ice skating and indoor swimming pools to arcades and Ninja Warrior-style courses, rainy days in Sydney can still be packed with adventure and fun.
- Indoor play centres
- Indoor rock climbing
- Ninja Warrior Courses
- Trampoline Park
- Swimming at an indoor aquatic centre
- Indoor ten-pin bowling
- Games Arcades
- Go for coffee, brunch or lunch (where the kids can play too!)
- Ice skating
- Movies
- Indoor attractions in the city
- Go shopping (where there is FREE indoor playgrounds)
- Jump in muddy puddles
Things to do with kids on a rainy day in Sydney
1. Escape the rain at an indoor play centre
Huge ball pit at Doo Doo Kid Cafe in Lane Cove
On a rainy day in Sydney Indoor play centres are always an excellent option if you’ve got little ones. Kids can run around and let off steam, and coffee is always close for parents! It’s a win-win.
See the full list of all the indoor play centres around the North Shore.
2. Indoor rock climbing
Clip’n’Climb, Gosford
For older kids (5+ years old), indoor rock climbing is a great option for rainy days in Sydney. There are lots of climbing centres around, within a short drive from the North Shore. Climb Fit at St Leonards is the local option, otherwise you can venture further afield St Peters, Alexandria, Brookvale, Castle Hill & Gosford. These places can be very busy, so make sure you check their websites and book your session online before you arrive!
View all the Indoor Climbing Centres.
3. Become a Ninja Warrior!
If you’ve got kids in primary or high school, a visit to an indoor Ninja course is a great thing to do on a rainy day in Sydney! We’ve found nine ninja warrior courses in Sydney that
are so much more than just an indoor playground for kids. They will cater for kids who are eager to run, jump, flip, spin, hang, bounce and more as they put themselves to the test and push past those inner ninja boundaries of theirs. All this, while parents sit on the sidelines and watch them burn this excess energy (hooray!).
Whether you’re looking to celebrate a birthday party, up for weekly classes, or simply want a one-off tumble on the weekend, here’s your guide to the best ninja courses around Sydney.
4. Go for a bounce at a trampoline park
BounceINC Cromer
Do your kids have an extra bounce in their step? On a rainy day in Sydney, let them fly through the air and bounce off the walls at one of the fabulous trampoline parks around Sydney’s North Shore. Kids will love defying gravity and putting their skills to the test, while you can sit back and enjoy tiring them out through hours of fun.
From Cromer & Brooklvale, to Castle Hill & Homebush, jump around all day long at these trampoline parks around the North Shore. From bouncing to new heights to ninja courses, birthday parties and more, you’re guaranteed hours of fun for the kids while you sit back and enjoy a coffee.
Here are the closest trampoline parks near the North Shore.
5. Go swimming at an indoor aquatic centre
Lane Cove Aquatic Centre
Get wetter, and go swimming! There are lots of great aquatic centres that have indoor heated pools and lovely spots for children to splash about.
On the North Shore, try the Hornsby Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre in West Pymble, Lane Cove Aquatic Centre or Mosman Swim Centre. Beyond the North Shore (but only a short drive), take the kids to Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre or Warringah Aquatic Centre in Frenchs Forest.
Click here to see a list of nearby indoor pools.
6. Go bowling
Go bowling on a rainy day! From about the age of four, children can learn to do ten-pin bowling (with the help of a ramp and side bumpers). Here are the closest spots for a game of ten-pin bowls around Sydney’s North Shore:
- The Attic, Hornsby
- Strike Bowling, Chatswood, Macquarie Centre, Castle Hill & more
- Zone Bowling, Castle Hill, Top Ryde, Dee Why & more
- Kicks Tenpin & Arcade, Parramatta
- Archie Brothers, Alexandria
7. Visit a games arcade!
Timezone
If you’re looking for the ultimate indoor entertainment destination to keep the whole family having fun, Game Arcades are a fun option to help you unleash your inner child!
See the list of Sydney’s best arcades.
8. Go for coffee, brunch or lunch (where the kids can play too!)
Indoor playground at The Belrose Hotel
One of our favourite things to do with kids on a rainy day is to head to a restaurant, cafe or pub that has a free indoor play area. Magpies Waitara, The Belrose Hotel, Terrey Hills Tavern, Hotel Pennant Hills and North Ryde RSL all have indoor play areas for the kids. Plus, it’s a clever option – you don’t need to pay an entry fee, just buy a coffee, snacks or some lunch.
Click here for a list of all restaurants with play areas.
9. Ice skating
Macquarie Centre
If you’re looking for active things to do with kids on a rainy day in Sydney, head to an Ice Rink!
The closest ice rink to most families on the North Shore is Macquarie Ice Rink, located at Macquarie Shopping Centre. It’s an ideal activity for children over the age of about four. For pre-schoolers, they hold Kiddies Club on Monday and Friday mornings where you can have a lesson, skate and lunch for just $20. Pack socks (and gloves if little kids are just learning and falling over lots!).
View all the ice rinks in Sydney.
10. Go to the movies
Escape the rain and relax in a dark cinema for a couple of hours. Children can probably sit through a whole kids’ movie by about the age of three, and the whole experience is usually very exciting for them. View our Movie Guide: Best Kids Movies.
- Hoyts Cinema, Chatswood Westfield & Mandarin Centre
- Event Cinemas, Hornsby & Macquarie Centre
- Roseville Cinemas
- Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne
- Hornsby Odeon
11. Head into the city and visit a child-friendly indoor attraction
SEA Life Sydney Aquarium
Head into the city on a rainy day in Sydney, and visit one of the many family-friendly attractions. Just remember to pack your brolly to get from the car park or train station!
Indoor attractions in Sydney
- Powerhouse Museum
- Australian National Maritime Museum
- SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
- WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
- Madame Tussauds
- Sydney Tower Eye
- Australian Museum
- The Art Gallery of NSW
There is an entrance fee for all of these attractions (see website links for details). If you’re likely to go to Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Zoo, Tower Eye or Madame Tussauds more than a couple of times, it makes sense to buy a Merlin Annual Pass, which gives you unlimited access for 12 months!
12. Hang out in an indoor Shopping Centre
One of the easiest things to do with kids on a rainy day in Sydney is to head to an indoor shopping centre. There’s nothing quite like driving into a multi-storey car park and walking straight into an indoor shopping centre without the need for an umbrella.
Even better, if you choose a shopping centre with a play area, it’s a win-win for the parent and the child. They can burn off a bit of energy, you can watch with a coffee (if you’re lucky)…. and you might have a chance of them sitting in the pram or trolley, or following you around when you need to shop.
We list all the local shopping centres with play areas here.
13. Jump in muddy puddles
Want other things to do with kids on a rainy day, but don’t want to venture too far? Rug up, pack the gum boots, raincoat and umbrellas, and go for a walk! If it’s not raining too heavily, or it has paused momentarily, pop outside and smell the fresh, clean air.
It’s not just Peppa Pig who likes jumping in muddy puddles.
Want more ideas for things to do with kids?
- Must visit farms & petting zoos around the North Shore
- Best indoor play centres in the North Shore, Hills and Northern Beaches
- Best Pubs to get a Sunday Roast this weekend
- What’s On: Best things to do in Sydney this weekend
- 15 awesome card games for kids (& adults!)
