Spring is almost here – and so are the next school holidays! If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained (and happy) over the break, you’re in luck. Sydney’s North Shore and surrounds are buzzing with live shows, special events, hands-on workshops and unforgettable adventures that the whole family can enjoy together.
From high-energy outings like BridgeClimb, Monster Jump, Bounce and iFLY, to creative experiences at St Ives Shopping Village, captivating puppet shows and world-class performances at the Opera House, ACO and Bangarra Dance Theatre – there’s something for every age, interest and budget.
You’ll even find whale-watching cruises, monster obstacle courses and magical music performances designed especially for kids.
We’ve rounded up the best activities happening across the holidays so you can plan your days with ease. Scroll through, click the Quicklinks for full details, and start building your perfect family holiday calendar!
- Australian Reptile Park (Somersby)
- ACO Families: Where to Hide a Star (Walsh Bay Arts Precinct)
- Bangarra Dance Theatre (Walsh Bay)
- Bounce (Cromer & Homebush)
- BridgeClimb (The Rocks)
- Captain Cook Cruises (Circular Quay)
- Kids Eat Free at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley
- iFLY (Penrith)
- Jeral Puppets (Castle Cove)
- Monster Jump Sydney (Moore Park & Parramatta)
- Parliament of NSW (Sydney)
- St Ives Shopping Village (St Ives)
- Sydney Opera House (Circular Quay)
- Vitaland Kids Cafe (St Leonards)
HOLIDAY CAMPS, VACATION CARE & WORKSHOPS
Fun attractions in Sydney these School Holidays
iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Penrith)
iFLY Indoor Skydiving is the perfect family adventure these school holidays—and by ‘family’, they mean not just for the kids (that’s right, parents too!). After your training session, you’ll lean into a column of air and be lifted into flight, guided by your expert instructor.
Feel the air rushing past as you learn to control your movements and learn to FLY! They recommend adding the High Fly, where your instructor will whizz you up towards the top of the tunnel and back down again for the ultimate adrenaline rush!
- When: Open 7 days a week until late
- Where: iFLY Downunder, 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith
- Suited for: Ages 3+ can fly
- Cost: From $90 per person
- Book: Online
- Facebook | Instagram
Monster Jump Sydney
Sydney, get ready! Australia’s hottest inflatable attraction, Monster Jump, will set up for the first time ever at Parramatta Park – The Crescent, as well as return to the much-loved Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, from 27 September – 12th October 2025 for the ultimate school holiday experience.
This colossal 280-metre mobile inflatable obstacle course is packed with over 30 unique challenges that promise non-stop thrills and fun for all ages. Whether you’re racing your friends to the finish line or enjoying the course at your own pace, Monster Jump is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable day out for kids, teens, and adults alike.
- When: Saturday 27 September – Sunday 12 October, 10am-4pm daily
- Where: Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park | Parramatta Park – The Crescent
- Suited for: Ages 3 years to adults
- Cost: 2-hour Obstacle Course Pass – $30 (5yrs – Adult), 2-hour Obstacle Course Toddler Pass – $45 (Under 5 + Adult/Carer Included)
- Book: Online
- Facebook| Instagram
Parliament of NSW: Family Fun Day
These October school holidays, NSW Parliament is excited to open its doors for it’s 15th annual Family Fun Day, a free day for children and families to explore and discover inside our state’s iconic building.
This jam-packed day of discovery and hands-on activities will bring civics, citizenship and the history of Australia’s first and oldest legislature to life for five to 12 year olds and their parents/carers.
- When: Friday 10 October, 9am to 3pm
- Where: NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney
- Suited for: Ages 5 to 12 years
- Free tickets: Online
BridgeClimb: The Ultimate Spring Holiday Activity
This spring, elevate your family adventure with BridgeClimb Sydney! Families can enjoy over $100 in savings with their exclusive Family Bundle offer. Kids aged eight and up will receive a BridgeClimb cap, a Certificate of Achievement, and a complimentary group photo.
Plus, enjoy fun takeaway activity sheets and $100 worth of Sydney Harbour Experience coupons. Climb between 12pm and 2pm on weekdays to receive a free meal and drink. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable school holiday experience!
- When: Spring school holidays
- Where: The Rocks
- Suited for: 8-15 years
- Cost: From $164 per person
- Book: Online
- Facebook | Instagram
Vitaland Kids Cafe, St Leonards
Looking for the perfect family-friendly hangout spot these school holidays? Vitaland St Leonards is the ultimate destination where every day feels like a playday!
Kids can immerse themselves in a world of fun with slides, ball pits, and creative play zones, all within a safe and supervised environment, while parents sit back and relax. The kid-friendly menu caters to every appetite, offering a mix of healthy bites and delicious treats to keep little tummies happy.
And if you’re planning a celebration, Vitaland’s excellent birthday party packages promise to make your child’s special day truly unforgettable.
- When: Open 7 days a week
- Where: Located in St Leonards Landmark: Shop LG04, 500 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, 2065
- Suited for: Ages 12 and under
- Cost: Children Entry: Weekday $7.80 – $36.00, Weekends $8.80 – $42.00; Adults Entry: Weekday $5.50/All day single pass, Weekends: $6.80/All day single pass
- Book: Online
Australian Reptile Park
Bluey & Bingo are coming back to the Australian Reptile Park these spring school holidays!
From 27 September – 12 October, catch your favourite Heeler duo live on stage during their FREE Live Interactive Experience at 10:15am and 1:30pm, or pre-book your spot for a meet and greet at 11:15am or 12:30pm (spaces are limited).
Plus, enjoy even more school holiday fun with a FREE inflatable obstacle course, FREE face painting, FREE animal scavenger hunt, FREE zookeeper shows, hands-on animal fun & more!
It’s all included with your zoo ticket. Don’t miss out on a fun day of adventure for the whole family!
- When: Open 9am – 5pm every day! See Bluey & Bingo 27 September – 12 October.
- Where: Australian Reptile Park, Pacific Highway, Somersby 2250 (2 Mins off the M1 at Gosford)
- Suited for: Everyone! Accessible pathways and exhibits, and prams available for hire.
- Cost: From $37pp with a Family Day Pass, kids under 3 years free. Buy online to save up to 21% off gate prices.
- Website: www.reptilepark.com.au/bluey
- Social: Facebook | Instagram
Kids Eat Free – Spring School Holidays at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury
Make the most of the school holidays with a family getaway at Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley. Kids eat free when dining with a paying adult, so you can relax and enjoy time together without worrying about extra costs. With spacious grounds, plenty of family-friendly dining options, and the Hawkesbury on your doorstep, it’s the perfect base for your spring escape.
- When: Each day you stay with them on the ‘Family Getaway Package’
- Where: Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, Windsor
- Book: Online
Captain Cook Cruises – Whale Watching Adventure!
Jump on the Humpback Highway – Don’t miss the best Whale Watching Season ever!!
- Start your cruise from Circular Quay.
- Expert commentator providing fun and educational insights into whale behaviour.
- See dolphins, seals and birds as you cruise past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
- Option to visit Australia’s most famous zoo, Taronga Zoo, after your cruise
- Option to make the most of your time in Sydney with a 2-day Whale Explorer pass
- Family-friendly indoor and outdoor leisure decks
- Whale sighting guaranteed or cruise again for free!
Book your tickets on board a Captain Cook Whale Watching Adventure these holidays.
- When: Spring School Holidays
- Time: Departures from 9:30am or 1:30pm
- Suited for: 4-15 years
- Cost: Adult $69-$95
- Book: Online
BOUNCE, Cromer & Homebush
With a unique blend of activities that caters to all ages and skill levels, BOUNCE is all about fun, movement, and keeping the kids active. Prioritise an unmatched experience that can’t be found anywhere else!
It’s the adrenaline rush as you jump on the trampolines or the free-fall feeling before you land in the Big Bag. It’s the bright smiles, red faces, and high-fives that only come from having a go and living in the moment. That’s extra time to fly into the Big Bag, flip through Free Jump, channel your inner ninja and chase the high of adrenaline.
There’s a large cafe overlooking the jumping arena serving coffee, snacks and hot meals.
- When: Open every day from 9am
- Where: Unit 7 & 8, 4-10 Inman Road, Northern Beaches Business Park, Cromer | 2/3 201 Parramatta Road, Homebush West
- Suited for: If you can walk, you can bounce!
- Tickets: $22.50 – $24.50
- Book session: www.bounceinc.com.au
Book tickets to a Live Kids Show
ACO Families: Where to Hide a Star
ACO Families: Where to Hide a Star
Experience Oliver Jeffers’ heartwarming new tale of starry wonder, magical adventure and the power of friendship – beautifully staged with live music by an ACO Quartet. Experience the 30-minute performance (plus post-show ‘meet the musicians’ session) recommended for children aged 3 -8 and their families.
Children can enjoy free creative play activities in the foyer before and after the performance, while parents can enjoy the magnificent harbour views from the foyer spaces.
- Where: ACO On The Pier, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
- Shows: Wed 1 Oct 10:30am, 12pm | Thu 2 Oct 10:30am, 12pm | Fri 3 Oct 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm | Sat 4 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm | Mon 6 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm | Tue 7 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm | Wed 8 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm (relaxed performance) | Thu 9 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm |Fri 10 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm | Sat 11 Oct, 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm
- Suited for: Recommended for children aged 3-10 and their families
- Tickets: $39. Children 3 to 8 years.
- Website: www.aco.com.au
- Phone: 1800 444 444
Sydney Opera House
MurMur at Sydney Opera House
Book tickets to a kids’ show at the Sydney Opera House during the Spring School Holidays! Located at Circular Quay, you can make a day of it by walking around the harbour, stopping for ice cream, enjoying a relaxing waterside lunch, and watching the ferries. Take a look at the kids’ shows playing at the Sydney Opera House these holidays:
Murmur
- For the first time in Australia, join Murmur’s visual circus. You’ll receive a rustling backpack that connects you to a landscape of speakers and a lively, acrobatic composer!
- 1-8 October | Standard tickets from $42, $8.95 Booking Fee applies per transaction. Book tickets.
Moss Piglet
- Playful and thrilling, Moss Piglet is an epic new work for families about how even the tiniest of things can be the strongest. Perfect for science lovers, embark on an extraordinary journey through the microscopic world of the tardigrade… perhaps you’ve heard of them?
- 27-28 September | Standard tickets from $35, $8.95 Booking Fee applies per transaction. Book tickets.
Mario the Maker Magician
- Mario weaves through a world of vaudeville and magic, cardboard and DIY robots, science and innovation, to instil a positive message that will last in the minds and hearts of all who partake in the hour-long journey together. He teaches the audience about famous scientists, inventors and artists, with the infectious messages of doing what you love, using what you have, and having fun in all of his performances!
- 2-12 October | Standard tickets from $49.95, $8.95 Booking Fee applies per transaction. Book tickets.
What the Ocean Said
- Join creativity and wellness for young children, with our specially commissioned storytelling and meditation experience with digital projections. This is a sensory world of vivid storytelling, dreamy electronic music, animation and the wonder of our Sydney Harbour.
- 11-12 October | Standard tickets from $25, $8.95 Booking Fee applies per transaction. Book tickets.
Tickets sell fast! Book now for the best seats in the house…
Bangarra Dance Theatre – The Bogong’s Song: a call to Country
Bangarra Dance Theatre: The Bogong’s Song: a call to Country
Join Bangarra Dance Theatre next school holidays to listen, reflect, and wonder with their newest children’s production, The Bogong’s Song: a call to Country, a blend of storytelling, shadow puppetry, dance, and song created especially for primary-aged children.
When a brother and sister turn out the lights for the night, their Nan promises to tell them a story. As Nan passes her knowledge to her grandchildren, we’re all invited to experience a connection to Country. And as the children open their hearts to the stories of their ancestors, we discover that even the smallest creatures have a vital role to play.
- Where: The Studio Theatre at Bangarra, Gadigal Country, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
- Shows: Wednesday 8 October 2025, 1:30PM | Thursday 9 October 2025, 11:00AM | Thursday 9 October 2025, 1:30PM | Friday 10 October 2025, 11:00AM | Friday 10 October 2025, 1:30PM | Saturday 11 October 2025, 11:00AM | Saturday 11 October 2025, 1:30PM | Saturday 18 October 2025, 11:00AM | Saturday 18 October 2025, 1:30PM | Sunday 19 October 2025, 11:00AM | Sunday 19 October 2025, 1:30PM
- Suited for: Recommended for children aged 7-12 and their families
- Tickets: $45
- Website: bangarra.com.au
- Phone: (02) 9251 5333
Puppeteria Theatre presents Jeral Puppets (Castle Cove)
Take the kids to a puppet show during the school holidays! Join the Jeral Puppets with a variety of programs to engage and entertain preschool and primary-aged children, including: “The Three Pigs”, “The Little Mermaid” plus “Rumpelstiltskin, the Magic Elf”, and “The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse” plus “MiceCapades”.
With easy parking, air conditioning, and a playground next door, a trip to the Puppeteria Theatre is a fun, easy, and comfortable activity for kids and their parents, grandparents, and carers.
- When: Jeral Puppets present a range of shows at 10.30 am
- Where: 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove
- Suited for: 2-5 years and 3-9 years
- Tickets: Adults: $16 | Children: $14. Book online at trybooking.com
- Website: puppeteria.com
Shopping centre fun
Spark Creativity at St Ives Shopping Village this School Holidays
These Spring school holidays, St Ives Shopping Village is the place to be for fun, laughs, and a little creative flair! From wild encounters to hilarious shows and hands-on art, there’s something to delight kids of all ages.
Live Reptile Shows (29-30 Sep)
- Get up close and personal with fascinating reptiles in these exciting and educational shows. Perfect for curious little animal lovers.
- 10am Live show, 11am meet and greet daily
- Located on Level 1 (opposite Nextra Newsagency). No bookings required.
Nick Fury Comedy Shows (1-3 Oct)
Get ready for three days of laugh-out-loud fun with Nick Fury. Daily shows at 10:30am & 12:30pm.
- Wed & Thurs – Slip Slop Slapstick: Join Mr Ace P Freckle for comedy chaos! Think flying suitcases, banana peels, buckets, pies in faces, magic tricks, balloon fun, and the hilarious “kids with whistles” routine – all in one show.
- Friday – Gaston Soufflé’s Funny French Cooking Show: Bonjour! The famous Gaston takes the stage with his culinary tips, outrageous French accent, juggling, magic, and – yes – another pie in the face.
Located on Level 1 (opposite Nextra Newsagency). No bookings required.
Plaster Fun House (4-13 Oct)
A school holiday classic! Simply choose your favourite plaster, paint it, and take it home as your masterpiece. No bookings required – just drop in and get creative! Located on Level 1 (opposite Nextra Newsagency).
- When: 29 Sept – 13 Oct (school holiday activities) + 31 Oct (Halloween)
- Where: St Ives Shopping Village, Level 1, outside Nextra
- Suited for: 2–12 years old
- Website: stivesvillage.com.au
HOLIDAY CAMPS, VACATION CARE & WORKSHOPS
More things to do with kids these Spring school holidays
- Things to do with kids on a rainy day in Sydney
- Best indoor play centres around Sydney’s North Shore
- Things to do in Sydney this Weekend
- Crazy shakes! The best kids’ milkshakes around the North Shore
- Restaurants, cafes & pubs with playgrounds around Sydney’s North Shore
Want your school holiday event or attraction featured in this guide? Get in touch, and we’ll share the details!
