Wondering what to do with the kids on a hot day in Sydney? Whilst the beach, pool, and water play parks are fun wet options, you could also try ice skating, the movies, a museum, or ten-pin bowling for some indoor, air-conditioned relief. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to keep cool (and get out of the house), we’ve come up with plenty of ideas to keep you entertained.
When Sydney turns up the heat, keeping the kids cool and entertained can be a challenge! While beaches and backyard sprinklers are always a hit, sometimes you need a little variety — and a lot of air conditioning.
Luckily, Sydney is packed with fun ways to escape the summer scorch. From splashing around at aquatic centres and water play parks to chilling out at the movies, museums, or even the local ice rink, there’s no shortage of cool adventures to enjoy. Whether you’re after an active outing, a family meal by the water, or a relaxing day indoors, we’ve rounded up the best ideas to help you beat the heat — without breaking a sweat.
Ready to plan your next summer escape? Check out our top suggestions below for fun, refreshing, and family-friendly ways to stay cool in Sydney…
- Go swimming at an Aquatic Centre
- Have some water fun at a FREE Water Play Park
- Go to the beach
- Go to a water park with slides & more!
- Go to an Aqua Park for inflatable fun!
- Go to the movies
- Seek refuge at an air-conditioned indoor play centre
- Go for coffee, brunch or lunch (where the kids can play too!)
- Visit a Museum, Art Gallery or other air-conditioned attraction
- Go ten-pin bowling
- Glide into the local ice rink!
- Hang out in an indoor Shopping Centre (and visit the free play area)
- Enjoy some waterside dining
- Feast on Fish & Chips
Things to do on a hot day in Sydney with kids
1. Go swimming at an Aquatic Centre
Hornsby Aquatic Centre
We have numerous fabulous aquatic centres scattered around the North Shore, so you’re really spoilt for choice. They all have both indoor and outdoor pools; some even feature water slides and other fun water play amenities. On the North Shore, try:
- Hornsby Aquatic & Leisure Centre, Hornsby
- Ku-ring-gai Fitness and Aquatic Centre, West Pymble
- Lane Cove Aquatic Centre
North Sydney Pool and Willoughby Leisure Centre are currently closed for renovations.
Beyond the North Shore (but only a short drive), you could try Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, Manly Boy Charlton Pool or Warringah Aquatic Centre in Frenchs Forest.
Click here to see a list of nearby indoor pools.
2. Have some water fun at a Water Play Park
Blaxland Riverside Park
Water play parks are a great option if you want to be out in nature but don’t want to deal with sand or getting soaked on a scorching hot day in Sydney. There are lots of water play parks scattered around Sydney, including:
- Warrina Street Oval Playground, Berowra
- Walter Gors Park, Dee Why
- Ian Potter Playground, Centennial Parklands
- Darling Harbour Playground, City
- Francis Park, Blacktown
- Livvi’s Place, Kellyville
- Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside
- Ollie Webb Reserve, Parramatta
- Putney Park, Putney
Click here for our list of fantastic Water Play Parks in Sydney.
3. Go to the beach
Balmoral Beach is a lovely, calm harbourside beach
If you fancy a trip to the beach, either go first thing in the morning or late afternoon, when the UV rays are at their lowest. The sand burns hot for feet on hot days, so it really isn’t a fabulous option for the middle of the day. And, of course, slather everyone in sunscreen and stay in the shade where possible! Click here for our list of the best family-friendly beaches on the North Shore.
Some of Sydney’s Northern Beaches have Rockpools (like Queenscliff, Dee Why, Freshwater, Collaroy, North Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Newport, Bilgola, Avalon, Whale Beach, Palm Beach).
If you’re looking for beaches that are a little more sheltered and enclosed, check out these Harbour beaches & swimming enclosures around Sydney’s North Shore. You might even enjoy snorkelling at one of these spots around the Northern Beaches.
4. Go to a water park with slides & more!
Tropical Cyclone at Raging Waters
Want to have some serious fun in the heat? There are some incredible water parks around Sydney! Raging Waters would have to be the biggest, but you can also try Manly Surf n Slide for something closer to home, Aquatopia in Sydney’s west or Jamberoo Action Park on the South Coast (near Kiama).
- Raging Waters
- Aquatopia, Prairiewood
- Jamberoo Action Park, South Coast
5. Go to an Aqua Park for inflatable fun!
Central Coast Aqua Park, Gosford
Want to have some fun in the water on those hot summer days? Aqua parks provide a cool adventure in the summer heat! Kids can spend hours bouncing and splashing to their heart’s content, from snaking down waterslides to bouncing on inflatables.
- Jungle Float, Clontarf & Balmoral
- Cables Aqua Park, Penrith
- Central Coast Aqua Park, Gosford
Check out some of these awesome Aqua Parks around Sydney!
6. Go to the movies
The movies are an excellent option on a hot day, as the air conditioning is pumping, and you can sit in a dark, cool theatre for a few hours. Local cinemas include Hoyts Cinema at Chatswood Westfield and Mandarin Centre, Event Cinemas at Hornsby and Macquarie Centre, Roseville Cinemas, Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne and Hornsby Odeon.
Escape to the movies with our School Holidays Movie Guide, which features everything you need to choose what’s best for your family… including ratings, duration and the trailer!
7. Seek refuge at an air-conditioned indoor play centre
Planet Mino in Chatswood has air conditioning
Visiting an air-conditioned play centre can be an excellent option for things to do with kids on a hot day, particularly if they’re a bundle of energy! But not all indoor play centres are air-conditioned, so choose wisely. The ones that are can be really busy, so try to go at a quieter time (we find that after 12 p.m. is often much more peaceful!).
Our favourite air-conditioned play centres on the North Shore:
- Planet Mino, Chatswood & Warringah Mall
- Moving Bodies, Mt Kuring-Gai
- Doo Doo Kids Cafe, Lane Cove
- Vitaland Kids Cafe, St Leonards
We list all the local indoor play centres here.
8. Go for coffee, brunch or lunch (where the kids can play too!)
The indoor play area at The Belrose Hotel is huge!
Most restaurants have air conditioning, and these also offer free indoor play areas. So forget about cooking in a hot kitchen and visit a family-friendly spot like The Belrose Hotel, Terrey Hills Tavern, Pennant Hills Hotel and North Ryde RSL, which all have indoor play areas for the kids. Plus, it’s a cheaper option – there’s no need to pay an entry fee… buy a coffee or a meal!
Click here for a list of all restaurants with play areas.
9. Visit a Museum, Art Gallery or other air-conditioned attraction
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
There are lots of things to do with kids in the city of Sydney on a hot day! Visit one of Sydney’s many indoor, air-conditioned attractions for a cool escape. Darling Harbour, Powerhouse Museum, Maritime Museum, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, and Madame Tussauds are all perfect for children and guaranteed to provide a good few hours of indoor fun. Other options in the city include a trip to Sydney Tower Eye (the tallest building in Sydney), the Australian Museum or The Art Gallery of NSW.
If you’re likely to visit Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Zoo, Tower Eye, or Madame Tussauds more than a couple of times, buying a Merlin Annual Pass makes sense. It gives you unlimited access for 12 months!
10. Go ten-pin bowling
You’ll be delighted at the cool air conditioning happening at your local bowling alley. From about the age of four, children can learn to do ten-pin bowling (with the help of a ramp and side bumpers). Once you’ve finished your game, stay for lunch or a coffee. During the week (off-peak), games start at about $12 per person. Local options:
- 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
Click here to view the complete list of local tenpin bowling alleys.
11. Glide into the local ice rink!
Escape to the cool surrounds of Macquarie Ice Rink
If it’s a scorching hot day outside and you’re looking for things to do with the kids, why not go somewhere icy cold, like the local ice rink? Macquarie Ice Rink is our nearest option on the North Shore and is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Don’t be fooled by the heat outside; you may still want to pack some gloves for the kids (in case they fall over frequently) and a long-sleeved top (with perhaps a singlet underneath). And don’t forget socks too!
View all the Ice Skating Rinks in Sydney.
12. Hang out in an indoor Shopping Centre
If you’re looking for things to do with your kids on a scorching hot day in Sydney, why not escape to an indoor (air-conditioned) shopping centre? You can either have a productive time getting through your shopping list, or relax over lunch and a coffee. Many of the shopping centres on the North Shore have play areas, making it a win-win for everyone in the family. The little ones can burn off a bit of energy, you can watch with a coffee (if you’re lucky)…. 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. Enjoy some waterside dining
Little Manly Cove
It’s often a few degrees cooler by the coast on a scorching hot Sydney summer day! There’s nothing more refreshing than a sea breeze to cool you down. There are loads of child-friendly cafes by the water. Some of our particular favourites include:
- Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral
- Deckhouse, Woolwich
- Echo on the Marina, Roseville
- Waterside Bistro, Bobbin Head
Click here to see the list of child-friendly cafes near the water.
14. Feast on Fish & Chips
Enjoying takeaway fish & chips overlooking Dee Why Beach
If sitting down at a cafe isn’t easy with your kids and a picnic is a more relaxing option, how about pulling out the rug and enjoying fish and chips by the water on a hot day in Sydney? From Manly up to Palm Beach, plus Brooklyn and Bobbin Head, we list nearby spots for Fish & Chips by the water.
