Best things to do with kids these Winter School Holidays!

Are you looking to plan some fun days out with the kids these Winter school holidays? There are plenty of live shows, events and attractions to visit around Sydney’s North Shore! Here’s your round-up of the best things to do these school holidays to enjoy quality time with your kids while keeping them nice and busy. Get planning!

Scroll down the list of things to do during the Winter school holidays around Sydney’s North Shore. Simply click the Quicklink to go directly to the listing with all the event details!

If you’re looking for things to do in the school holidays in Sydney, you’ll find plenty of inspiration below:

ACO Families: The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee) (Walsh Bay Arts Precinct)
BridgeClimb (The Rocks)
Bounce (Cromer & Homebush)
Bubble Planet (Sydney Olympic Park)
Captain Cook Cruises (Circular Quay)
iFLY (Penrith)
Lane Cove Roll-a-round (Lane Cove)
Monster Jump Sydney (Moore Park) – massive inflatable obstacle course
Jeral Puppets (Castle Cove) – puppet shows for kids
Sydney Opera House – kids shows (Circular Quay)
Macquarie Centre – Mactopia: Wildest Dreams
St Ives Shopping Village (St Ives)
Wolfgang in the Stars, Riverside Theatres (Parramatta)

HOLIDAY CAMPS, VACATION CARE & WORKSHOPS

Book tickets to a Live Kids Show

ACO Families: The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escapee)

ACO Families: The Princess, The Pea (and The Brave Escape)

Join the Australian Chamber Orchestra for this beloved fairytale with live classical music performed by an ACO string quartet.

Don’t miss the return season of this imaginative theatrical production brought to life with music performed by an ACO string quartet. Family audiences will delight in this enchanting story of bravery, courage, and friendship. This inspiring production will ignite the love of live classical music in little ones.

Enjoy a fun day by the harbour with the whole family!

Where: ACO On The Pier, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct
Shows: Sun 13 Jul, 10.30am, 12pm | Tue 15 Jul, 10.30am, 12pm – ACO Relaxed Performance | Wed 16 Jul, 10:30am, 12pm | Thu 17 Jul, 10.30am, 12pm | Fri 18 Jul, 10.30am, 12pm | Sat 19 Jul, 10.30am,12pm, 2pm | Sun 20 Jul, 10.30am, 12pm
Suited for: Recommended for children aged 3-10 and their families
Tickets: $39. Children under 2 years old are free on their parents’ laps
Website: www.aco.com.au
Phone: 1800 444 444

Puppeteria Theatre presents Jeral Puppets (Castle Cove)

Take the kids to a puppet show during the school holidays! Join the Jeral Puppets for a program with familiar stories, songs, and rhymes to engage and entertain preschool and primary-aged children! With easy parking, air conditioning, and a playground next door, a trip to the puppet show 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:
- ‘Henry Hippo’s Holiday’ + ‘Pretzel & The Magic Sausage Machine’ – 3, 12, 18, 22 June
- ‘Goldilocks & The Three Bears’ – 24, 29 June, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20 July
- ‘The Mermaid, The Whale & The Octopus’s Garden party’ – 15 June, 3, 6, 9, 15, 18 July
- ”Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs’ + ‘Professor Eigenvector’s Space Adventure’ – 7, 10, 16, 18, 21 July
Where: 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove
Suited for: 2-5 years and 3-9 years
Tickets: Adults: $16 | Children: $13. Book online at trybook.com
Website: puppeteria.com

Sydney Opera House

Bully Bully is playing at Sydney Opera House these winter school holidays

Book tickets to a kids’ show at the Sydney Opera House during the Winter 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:

BullyBully

Award-winning joyous physical theatre for children and families featuring hilarious quarrels, catchy songs, and hilarious bickering banter between two political leaders.
Ages: 3+ years
When: 6-12 July 2025
Tickets: $39. Book now.

The Twits

Roald Dahl’s gruesome twosome The Twits return to our stage these school holidays to delight and disgust in equal measure. Unmissable fun for all the family, packed with Dahlicious mischief, hilarious mayhem and big belly laughs!
Ages: 5+ years
When: 5-19 July 2025
Tickets: Premium $59.95 | A Reserve $49.96 | B Reserve $39.95. Book now.

Wolfgang in the Stars, Riverside Theatres (Parramatta)

Wolfgang in the Stars, Riverside Theatres (Parramatta)

Join Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as he goes on a journey to seek inspiration for his beloved Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!

Along the way, he will encounter a cast of quirky characters, from dancing space dinosaurs to zany aliens, navigate chaos in outer space, and eventually find his way back home.

The kids will LOVE this magical show, full of acrobatics and comedy, transporting them to an intergalactic musical world! Buckle up and prepare for lift-off!

Where: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Shows: 16-19 July: 10am, 12:30pm & 6:30pm
Suited for: 3+ years
Tickets: From $37
Website: riversideparramatta.com.au
Phone: (02) 8839 3399

Shopping centre fun

Spark Creativity at the Village this School Holidays

These winter school holidays, St Ives Shopping Village is the ultimate destination for fun, food, and imagination. From crafty creations to hands-on workshops, they’ve got something to spark creativity in kids of all ages!

Roll’d Rice Paper Roll Workshops | 5–7 July | 10am & 10:30am daily | Location: Level 1, Shop 67
Calling all mini chefs! Join Roll’d for a hands-on cooking class and learn how to make fresh Vietnamese rice paper rolls.
Spots are limited to 10 per session – secure spot via link on their website (available now).

Kids Computer Coding Workshops | 7–10 July | 10am–12pm & 12:30pm–2:30pm | Location: Level 1, outside Nextra Newsagency
Back by popular demand! In partnership with CODE4Fun, kids aged 6–12 can design their own game using SCRATCH coding.
Bookings essential – secure spot via link on their website (on sale now).

Plaster Fun House Returns | 14–21 July | Daily sessions | Location: Level 1, opposite Nextra Newsagency
A school holiday favourite! Get creative and develop a masterpiece with a huge range of plasters to choose from.
No bookings required – just drop in and get creative!

When: 5 July – 20 July
Where: St Ives Shopping Village, Level 1, outside Nextra
Suited for: 2-12 years old
Website: stivesvillage.com.au

Mactopia: Wildest Dreams (Macquarie Centre)

Get ready, Macquarie – the magic is coming these July school holidays!

From dazzling live shows from the Vegetable Plot, Magic of Petar to hands-on fun like bath bomb making, donut decorating, and fairy garden terrariums, and so much more – there’s something to spark every imagination!

Plus! Spend $75 or more on food or entertainment and receive a $25 Macquarie Centre Gift Card – the perfect bonus for your family day of fun!

Spots are limited – don’t miss out!

When: 5-19 July
Where: Macquarie Shopping Centre
Suited for: 2-12 years old
Cost: Free (some of the activities cost $10)
Website: macquariecentre.com.au
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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
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Monster Jump Sydney

Monster Jump Sydney

Sydney, get ready! Australia’s hottest inflatable attraction, Monster Jump, is returning to the Entertainment Quarter from 5th to 20th July 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: 5 – 20 July, 10am-4pm daily. Two hour sessions: 10am-12pm, 11am-1pm, 12pm-2pm, 1pm-3pm, and 2pm-4pm.
Where: Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Suited for: Ages 3 years to adults
Cost: Free entry for spectators, 2hr Wristbands ranging from $30-$55
Book: Online
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BridgeClimb: The Ultimate Winter Holiday Activity

This winter, elevate your family adventure with BridgeClimb Sydney! From 28 June to 13 July 2025, families can enjoy over $100 in savings with their exclusive Family Bundle offer. Kids aged 8 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: 28 June – 13 July
Where: The Rocks
Suited for: 8-15 years
Cost: From $164 per person
Book: Online
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Lane Cove Roll-a-round

Lane Cove Roll-a-round

Get your skates on this winter for Lane Cove’s open-air roller rink, the Lane Cove Roll-a-round!

Whether you’re a seasoned skater or finding your feet, there’s fun to be had every day. Come with the kids or have a night out – pick a theme and roll with it!

Friday 4 July – USA Country Party
Saturday 5 July – Disco
Sunday 6 July – Princesses and superheroes
Monday 7 July – KPop
Tuesday 8 July – Popstars
Wednesday 9 July – Rockstars
Thursday 10 July – Bollywood
Friday 11 July – RnB Friday
Saturday 12 July – Reggaeton
Sunday 13 July – La Veille du 14 Juillet

Plus, you can dine and skate. When you spend $20pp at a participating restaurant, you can get $5 tickets! Participating restaurants include: Sunset diner, Garçon, Masala Kitchen, Sugar Lane, Hecho en Mexico and S’Breadhouse.

When: 4-13 July, 10am-8.45pm
Where: The Canopy, Lane Cove
Suited for: Ages 3+
Cost: $10 per person (including skate hire), or spend $20pp at a participating restaurant and get $5 tickets!
Book: Online
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Captain Cook Cruises – Whale Watching Adventure!

The Whales are Back! Bundle up, bring the kids, and experience the wonder of the Humpback Whale migration together this winter!

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!

Don’t miss the migration season this winter! Book your tickets on board a Captain Cook Whale Watching Adventure these holidays.

When: Winter 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

Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience

Step inside the colourful and surreal Bubble Planet! Bubble Planet features more than 10 wondrous rooms filled with optical illusions, giant bubbles, cutting-edge virtual reality, and stunning immersive projections.

Guests can journey through surreal, dreamlike landscapes where art, play, and technology collide. From vibrant VR dreamscapes to shimmering bubble fields and balloon-filled wonderlands, Bubble Planet promises a joyful escape for all ages.

Following sold-out runs in Milan, Los Angeles, London, Brussels, and a hugely successful Asia-Pacific debut in Singapore, Bubble Planet makes its Sydney debut with bumper demand.