5 FREE things to do in Sydney this school holidays

Entertaining the kids on the school holidays can be expensive but here are some FREE things you can do with the kids in Sydney.

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The Rocks Discovery Museum. This museum is FREE for all ages and tells the story of The Rocks area from pre-European days to present. The Museum houses images and artefacts and interactive exhibitions. Check out their website for more information HERE.
Sydney Olympic Park. Kids in the park hosts many FREE school holiday events including movie screenings, amazing races, 35kms bike riding trails, disc golf, BMX tracks, birdlife centre and much more! Check out their website for all the information HERE.
Royal Botanic Gardens. These beautiful gardens are a fabulous place to go for a family picnic and explore with the kids. See their website for more information HERE.
Shuttle bus. Explore Sydney on a FREE shuttle bus that runs daily. Check out their website for running times HERE.
Museum of Contempory Art. This museum is FREE for everyone and has a fantastic selection of art, they also run many kids events and school holiday activities. Take a look on their website for more information HERE.

Sydney also has a beautiful selection of parks and beaches where you could go for a free day out with the kids.

Oh, and as a bonus (yes we know it’s 6 things now) you can check out…

The Muffin Break – they are hosting free cookie workshops to keep the kids entertained this summer.

Where: Local muffin break stores. To find participating Muffin Break stores nationwide, visit here.
When: 19^th of January 10am – 12pm

Do you know of any FREE things to do with kids in Sydney that you can recommend? Please SHARE in the comments below.

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19 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 23 Nov 2021
    12:58 pm
Hope covid doesnt stop things like this happening this Christms school holidays.

- - Gayle Vos said
  - 13 Jan 2016
    5:04 pm
I was wondering if anyone knew of similar things to do in Melbourne

- - ella12 said
  - 06 Jan 2016
    12:05 pm
Lots of fun ways to keep the family entertained.

- - Carolineb said
  - 02 Jan 2016
    10:18 am
Thanks for sharing these great free ideas.

- - mom160421 said
  - 31 Dec 2015
    10:22 pm
The NSW Art Gallery is a fabulous place to visit and is free (except for some exhibitions). Also, you can take a tour of Government House (located in the Royal Botanical Gardens) for free.

- - rachelvk said
  - 26 Dec 2015
    11:21 am
Next time we visit Sydney we will need to check some of these out! Thanks.

- - mum888 said
  - 25 Dec 2015
    7:32 am
If you have more than one child on a train , you pay for the first child and then the rest are free . I think it is a great incentive especially the family fun sundays and we travel numerous times on the trains on kids and saves the stress of parking . The only downside is that there is a lot of trackwork on weekends , but luckily bus services to cover that .

- - mom112217 said
  - 22 Dec 2015
    10:18 am
Definitely the beaches Bondi and Manly are a favourite Sydney visit!

- - mom94125 said
  - 19 Dec 2015
    5:07 pm
yeah also depending on the type of kids that you have, they might simply be interested in the history of it all. Show them around and be a tour guide which gets you and the kids talking. Ask them about what they think of the old days etc.

- - mom134803 said
  - 18 Dec 2015
    3:44 am
Great list ! I would like to add visiting community markets and going for bush and coastal walks. My husband takes our kids every weekend out to do something nice, preferably for free, so I’m always investigating websites and links for suitable things to do.

- - mom101628 said
  - 17 Dec 2015
    9:33 pm
Visiting Sydney is always good and even greater when there are a few free things to indulge in as well.

- - mom80542 said
  - 17 Dec 2015
    10:57 am
I love visiting Sydney & have great friends and family there. The free cookie workshops sounds like fun Or maybe it is the anticipation of eating them that is drawing me in

- - mom90758 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    5:52 pm
When I lived in Sydney we used to go to the local library. There were always so many activities. Free movie for the kids too.
The National Maritime Museum is another great stop! The permanent galleries are for free. And there are a lot of great activities there during school holidays at a very good price. Fishing too.
- mom93821 replied
  
  18 Dec 2015 , 8:08 am
  I agree with The National Maritime Museum – it is fabulous!
  - mom90758 replied
    
    19 Dec 2015 , 2:55 pm
    
    They take very good care of that Museum indeed. We were members of the Maritime Museum and it’s something I recommend to everyone!
- - Nas01 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    12:46 pm
These are great ideas. I’m keeping a list of all the recommendations everyone makes.

- - mom74640 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    10:13 am
Like iz

- - mom165081 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    9:57 am
Olympic park is excellent!

- - mom93821 said
  - 16 Dec 2015
    5:54 am
Thanks for this Sydney list – love Sydney and everything on offer in this bustling city.