You may think that your favorite cities to visit on vacation don’t have activities that your kids will enjoy or that you can experience with them. However, that is not the case, as the most popular cities around the world have things your kids will get a kick out of, and they come in different forms to keep them from getting bored.
Those with plans to visit Sydney, Australia will be happy to know that there is no shortage of fun activities for people of all ages to do. Some options provide the opportunity to get thrills that aren’t common back at home, while others put visitors in touch with different forms of wildlife. Here is what you should do in Sydney with your kids.
1. iFLY Downunder Indoor Skydiving
Some of the best sports don’t always require a ball, and they even let kids and adults take part in them together. One example is indoor skydiving, which allows you to feel what it’s like to go skydiving outside without worrying about your parachute not opening. This is a good way to prepare your kids in case they feel like doing the outdoor version in the future.
Credits: iFLY DownunderiFLY Indoor Skydiving comes with glass flight chambers that are designed to be safe for people of all ages. You can stay in the air long enough to practice tricks that you might be trying out before you go skydiving outside. Some sessions let your kids try it with you in case they still feel nervous before they are comfortable enough to go on their own.
2. Whale Watching Sydney
Sydney is full of opportunities for visitors to check out different forms of wildlife, and that includes creatures that you won’t expect to occupy areas close to major cities. One example of that is with whale watching, and Whale Watching Sydney offers cruises at different times of the day so that your kids can catch a glimpse of these beautiful mammals.
Cruises are available at Circular Quay and Darling Harbor, depending on what other parts of the city you’re exploring during your visit. They are available only from May to November, so you’ll need to plan out your trip accordingly. Whether the whales are just coming up for air or performing a high dive out of the water, your kids will be able to get some awesome photos out of these tours. This alone places Australia on our list of best international destination trips with kids.
3. Treetop Adventure Park
If you and your kids want to spend part of your break in Sydney away from the more crowded areas and closer to nature, then a stop by Treetop Adventure Park is a must. The fly foxes allow you and the gang to fly between trees, and some are designed for certain distances so that kids of all ages can enjoy them.
Courses are available in case this is your kids’ first time doing this activity. Suspension bridges allow participants to go for an easy walk at heights that allow for beautiful scenery of everything below. Over 100 challenges are available in case you have the whole day for this park. Barbecues are also included so that you and your family can have an awesome lunch.
4. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
Families with kids who love the creatures that inhabit the ocean will want to check out SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, which is not short on expeditions that let visitors get close to different aquatic life. One example is the ocean tunnel walk-through that lets you check out sharks swimming above you and to the sides.
There are over 700 different species and 13,000 animals that call this aquarium home, which means that your kids will always have something to look at during your visit. Spots such as Great Barrier Reef, Jurassic Seas, Bay of Rays and Dugong Island show off turtles, stingrays, dolphins, whales and other sea creatures in safe environments.
5. Touring Darling Harbour
Finding places that offer amazing views and different sources of entertainment can be easy when you spend your time off in the city. When it comes to Sydney, you can take the kids to Darling Harbour for one of the days during your visit when you don’t plan on doing too much and need time to find some souvenirs.
You can find plenty of items to take home at Harbourside Shopping Centre, and this spot comes with the option of laser tag if the kids want to have some fun along the way. The Chinese Garden of Friendship, the Carousel, and different docks on the harbour give you chance to enjoy beautiful scenery of both greenery and the river. Darling Harbor is especially nice and warm in December when it’s summertime in Australia making this city one of the best places to visit in the world in December.
6. National Maritime Museum
Some of the best attractions are those that you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors. One example of that is Sydney’s National Maritime Museum, which acts as a source of education as well as entertainment. One of the additions to the museum that your group will get to walk through is Spirit of Australia, the fastest boat in the world.
The 1874 Tall Ship shows how sailors operated centuries ago and how they were able to survive on the water. The Action Stations exhibit also provides history lessons, which come in the form of programs for kids and galleries. The museum is open on the weekends if you want your kids to take part in different programs.
7. Bondi Beach
Some days provide weather that makes it too hard to pass up a day at the beach. Families looking to spend some time in Sydney should spend an afternoon at Bondi Beach if at least one is expected to experience clear skies and high temperatures. This is one of the world’s top surfing destinations, which should be a blast if your kids love hopping on waves. It also makes our list of the top 12 best beaches in the world!
Souvenir shops and boutiques are scattered along the beach so that you can get new shirts and other gifts before you head back home. Snorkeling and paddle boarding spots are also available in case you want to spend some time further out on the water. Parasailing will also be a blast if your kids aren’t afraid of heights.
Put these activities on your to-do list so that you and your kids can have fun throughout your stay in Sydney. And luckily, Australia is one of the safest countries to visit! And if you need more things to do in Sydney, here are 20 best things to do in Sydney when you’re in town.
