You’ve got some kids to entertain (and maybe even educate) over the next few weeks as the April school holidays roll around. From Saturday, April 12 to Sunday, April 27, schools around the country go to break which means those kids are going to need some rewarding experiences after the first term of the year. Luckily, there’s a whole heap of fun activities for kids in Sydney.
And if anything has become abundantly clear for our glistening Harbour City over the past year, it’s that we’re focused on becoming a more fun, open and diverse place for both locals and visitors. The proof is in the pudding, as you can see below, with a constant hub of activity spinning everywhere from the Blue Mountains (Nocturnal) and Doonside (Featherdale Wildlife Park) to many great family-friendly events around the city.
Will you take the family on down to Tumbalong Park for Sydney Comedy Festival’s free kid-friendly festival, or spend your days at Sydney Opera House introducing the little ones to the wonder of theatre?
When are the April school holidays in Sydney?
Sydney’s April school holidays run from Saturday, April 12 to at least Sunday, April 27, with many kids going back to school on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Best things to do in Sydney with kids for the Easter school holidays
1. Wildlife Adventure Trail
For the whole month of April, up to two kids (ages three-15) per paying adult can enter Sydney’s iconic Featherdale Wildlife Park in Doonside for the lovely little price of $0 (note under-threes all enter free as well).
This not only gives families access to see over 2,000 incredible Australian animals, from koalas and kangaroos to wombats and dingos, but also hand-feed a lot of these furry friends as well. If the Easter Show is too loud and busy for the little ones, then this is a great way to still give them that petting zoo experience without them needing to navigate the chaos of Australia’s biggest ticketed event.
What’s more is that the zoo has created a special Easter theme from the popular Wildlife Adventure Trail with prices for just $9.99. The educational experience leads kids across diverse ecosystems on a path that ends with a free showbag (worth $60). Note that the Wildlife Adventure Trail is always available, but the Easter theme will only be available during the Easter weekend from April 18 to April 21.
Where: 217 Kildare Rd, Doonside NSW 2767
When: Monday-Sunday (8am-5pm)
Price: $39.60 for an adult ticket; $9.99 for the Wildlife Adventure Trail
2. Sydney Easter Show
It’s the big, obvious Easter activity that’s going to get the kids really excited. The Sydney Royal Easter Show is back for another year, bringing all types of fun and activities to the Sydney Showground for one epic day out with the family. It can be a costly day, but such an event only rolls around once a year with numerous pavilions showcasing everything from top NSW produce and hundreds of showbags from iconic brands, to interactive animal experiences, shows, fireworks and more. Don’t forget the broad strip of carnival games and rides as well as, for the first time, interactive VR and animatronic experiences at the Fever Pavilion.
Where: Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park
When: Friday, April 11 to Tuesday, April 22
Price: $42 for children, $60 for adults
3. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is always one of the most popular things to do in Sydney for the school holidays. And this time, kids can explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef any day during April with an exhibition that uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver a unique, interactive experience that explores one of the world’s most exciting aquatic icons.
Where: Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour
When: Monday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)
Price: $51 per adult, $40 per child
4. Sculpture in the Garden
The short drive down to Wollongong looks even more tempting now that Sculpture in the Garden is back. Since 2016, Wollongong Botanic Garden has been steadily growing its visually stunning outdoor exhibition, which this year showcases work from 18 Australian artists from Tuesday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 30.
The exhibition is complemented by a series of a free playful public workshops, talks, walks and events to coincide with the exhibition, all designed for various ages and abilities.
Where: Wollongong Botanic Garden
When: Tuesday, April 1 to Wednesday, April 30
Price: Free
wollongongbotanicgarden.com.au
5. Great Laugh in the Park
As part of the expanded 20th annual Sydney Comedy Festival, Great Laugh in the Park is a free all-day festival in Tumbalong Park with family-friendly comedy, workshops and magic shows running from noon to nightfall.
Hosted by Australian comedy legend, ABC Kid’s Giggle and Hoot’s Jimmy Rees OAM, the event will feature a long list of family-friendly laughs from the likes of Dorothy the Dinosaur (yes, from The Wiggles), ABC’s award-winning The Listies, US stand-up Drew Lynch, Texan comedian Kemah Bob, and locals Nick Cody, Matt Okine and Aunty Donna. Also on the cards is 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown’s Sara Pascoe and Edinburgh Fringe sell-out The Greatest Magic Show, with mind-boggling illusions and circus acts.
There’s even some live music round out the event with party band Furnace and the Fundamentals joined by a roster of local DJs.
It’s not all about the shows either. There will be roving performers, a pop-up bar, face painting, temporary tattoos, and more across the park’s three venues: The Giggle Garden, The Alcazar Circus Tent and the main stage.
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
When: Saturday, April 26; 12pm – 8:30pm
Price: Free (the first 1000 registrations receive a free showbag)
6. Nocturnal
After a successful debut last year, Scenic World’s whimsical Blue Mountains light and sound walk is back just in time for the 2025 Easter school holidays.
The enchanting Nocturnal brings the region its own version of Vivid, propping up a new program of light displays, holograms and dynamic light structures, lifted by ambient sounds to create a forest walk that feels appropriately otherworldly.
Everything from a massive holographic lyrebird to elaborate projections of ancient rock formations help build up luminous paths that snake through the rainforest in all different directions. It’s one of the best school holiday activities for kids, taking the drive out to this majestic World Heritage-listed site and entering a glowing universe set under a sky full of stars.
Scenic World’s Nocturnal completely sold out last year, so this season has been extended from Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, May 11 (on select nights), expanding the program of light works that include pieces that are both interactive and educational, paying tribute to the secret language of trees, the unique landscape of Gundungurra Country, and Scenic World’s 80th anniversary.
Where: Violet St &, Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780
When: Thursday, April 3 to Saturday, May 11
Price: $40.90
7. Dog Man: The Musical
Dog man strikes again! With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, this precocious pup loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture, in equal measure. Can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of beastly buddies? That’s not the only antagonist, however. Dog Man also needs to deal with Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to enact revenge amongst his furry nemesis.
Best friend George and Harold have been creating comics for years now, and the primary school students have written a musical that’s been a major hit for families in Sydney.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 27, 2025
Price: From $35
8. Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out
A live action theatre production of the world’s most famous animated pig has once again popped up just in time for the Autumn school holidays. What will Peppa, her family and friends get up to on their latest adventure? Well, they’re heading to the zoo this time, followed by some beach time for a special party that’ll be complemented by interactive fun, songs and games for the whole family.
An all-Australian cast will help bring the latest Peppa Pig production to life at Rooty Hills’ The Coliseum for two-nights only from May 17 to 18, 2025.
Where: 33 Railway St, Rooty Hill NSW 2766
When: Saturday, May 17 – Sunday, May 18, 2025
Price: From $36.90
9. Sydney Family Show
Running across the entire April school holidays, the Ingenia Holiday Parks Sydney Family Show completely transforms Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter into a smorgasbord of family-friendly fun, popping up a range of entertainment and activities to pack an entire day (and then some).
The family festival is divided into zones with all sorts of themes and entertainment to get across. Catch Paw Patrol Live on stage (April 12 to 22) or catch some thrills at the motorcycle and bike stunt show. Kids can also learn about fascinating creatures at the Reptile Show or join Blue & Bingo for a live interactive experience from April 23 to 27.
The Sydney Family Show has been growing in popularity in recent years as a smaller, less chaotic alternative to the Sydney Easter Show. There’s a special Easter Basket Zone (entry: $15) so kids can take part in their very own easter egg hunt, while animal lovers can get up and close with real-life bunnies in the dedicated animal nursery.
An Easter Show alternative wouldn’t be complete with fun and games either, so carve out a big chunk of the day for Sideshow Alley with all types of games, thrill rides and the new Rabbit Race inflatable obstacle course. And yes, there’ll be showbags. A three-hour unlimited rides package is available for $50 per person.
Where: The Showring, Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park
When: Saturday, April 12 – Sunday, April 27, 2025
Price: $15 for children, $30 for adults, $75 for a family of four
10. BOUNCE Sydney
If the kids are full of beans these Easter school holidays, take them over to BOUNCE Sydney for high-energy trampoline action. The indoor adventure park out in Homebush is an interconnected maze of bouncy mats, foam pits, adventure challenges and plenty more facilities designed to get the little ones moving in a safe, colourful setting.
If you want the full experience, book them into one of the BOUNCE Holiday Camps, which is a series of sessions where kids can make new friends and try new skills.
Where: 201 Parramatta Road, Homebush West
When: Monday, April 14 – Thursday, April 24, 2025
Cost: $65 per child
11. Fast Track Intensive Swimming Program
Got some sea pups on your hands? Four of Sydney’s most stunning pools—Cook & Phillip Park Pool, Gunyama Park Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Prince Alfred Park Pool—are offering a comprehensive swimming package to get those legs kicking. Kids enterting the program, which varies in price according to the aquatic centre, will learn streamlined dives as well as key techniques for body position, arms, kicking, breathing and timing, as well as race-ready turns and finishes to create future Ian Thorpes and Dawn Frasers.
Where: Cook & Phillip Park Pool, Gunyama Park Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Prince Alfred Park Pool
When: Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 24, 2025
Price: Varies
12. Mimi’s Symphony
Mimi’s Symphony is part of the three Sydney Opera House kids shows that are running these April school holidays, the others being Dog Man: The Musical and You Are Here. Yet this one takes a more orchestral approach, following Mimi the magpie who finds herself on the edge of a suburban oval after being blown from her nest. With grand memories to make, the adventurous bird crosses paths with many different animal families, learning how to survive in the suburbs and bringing everyone together.
Writer and narrator Justine Clark is joined by composer George Ellis, bringing this story to life while showcasing to kids to wonders of a sectioned 18-piece orchestra with brass, strings, woodwinds and percussion helping to create a fun sing-a-long symphony.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 27, 2025
Price: From $25
13. You Are Here
Just two performers appear on the stage for You Are Here, a new interactive Danish production that tells the tale of a young girl’s journey to the bakery as she encounters a turtle, darts through forests and follows stars across the sea from her home of Denmark. The epic, inspiring adventure encourages kids to follow their dreams and find their way in the world through words, light, sound and images.
The show is performed at eye level for kids, making them feel like part of the journey before they are then encouraged to make their own stories from patterns, piles and beach stones.
Where: Sydney Opera House
When: Saturday, April 19 to Thursday, April 24, 2025
Price: From $35
14. Gabby’s Dollhouse Live
Coming to the ICC Theatre, Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! is a new stage show based on the famed DreamWorks Animation universe, deepening the preschool-favourite with an a-MEOW-zing musical following Gabby’s discovery of an acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. Plans are made a bit more complicated with CatRat’s involvement, causing an absolute colour cat-astrophe and spurring both on a mission to find the colours and put them back into place.
Where: ICC Theatre, Darling Harbour
When: Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13, 2025
Price: From $39.90
15. Fun Bundle at Hijinx Hotel
Family-favourite Hijinx Hotel is always one of the best things to do in Sydney with kids. The lively themed hotel is once again pulling all of its many activities together in a Fun Bundle that’s perfect for those of all ages wanting to engage with the many different experiences the venue has to offer. Including immersive challenge rooms and thrilling laser tag action.
The Fun Bundle is $36 for kids and $45 for adults, inclusive of three activities from a lineup that includes mini golf, bowling, laser tag, challenge rooms and arcade games. The precinct, out in Alexandria, also offers Strike Bowling, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, so you can put together a fun-crawl for the whole family.
Where: 75 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria
When: Monday – Thursday (12pm – 10pm); Friday (12pm – 12am); Saturday (10am – 12am); Sunday (10am – 9pm)
Price: $36 for kids, $45 for adults
16. Puppeteria
Castle Cove’s Puppeteria is always a nice time during the school holidays, and for the Easter period they’ll be putting on a few shows in partnership with heritage company Jeral Puppets. Take your pick of classic kids performances, all priced at just $13 per child with ‘Hooray for the Easter Bunny!’, ‘Little Red Riding Hood + Three Billy Goats Gruff‘, ‘The Rainbow Unicorn‘ and ‘The Three Magic Wishes‘.
Jeral Puppets have been a family institution since 1966 so you know those puppets are in (or rather, on) very good hands.
Where: Puppeteria Theatre, 12H Denawen Ave, Castle Cove
When: Monday – Sunday (8:30am – 6pm)
Price: $13 for kids, $16 for adults
17. Sydney Dance Company Workshops
The school holidays may be dictated by fun and play, there’s also a great deal of education and inspiration to shop around to the kids while they’re off school. If you’ve got some budding dancers in the house then take them over to Sydney Dance Company, which is running its Autumn School Holiday Workshops from Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 24.
The popular workshops are available for kids of all experience, aged 5-18 with styles including contemporary, jazz, commercial and more. Both one-day beginners classics and two-day workshops are available from $38 to $215.
Where: Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Wharf 4, 5/15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point NSW 2000
When: Monday, April 14 – Thursday, April 24
Price: $38 – $215
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