Top Toddler Activities in Sydney to Plan Your Next Family Outing

Top Toddler Activities in Sydney to Plan Your Next Family Outing

Parenting a toddler can be as exhausting as it is rewarding. If you want to entertain your bub with an activity that even the rest of your family can be part of, then what you’re looking for is a list of toddler activities in Sydney.

Toddlers are excitable, energetic and curious. They’ll either constantly move about, or stay engrossed in an activity or task for hours. If it's the latter, you might as well give them something fun and new to look forward to! 

Here are Sydney’s top family-friendly attractions that you can consider taking your little one to.

What Can You Do in Sydney With a Baby?

What can I do with a 1 year old in Sydney?

When someone says Sydney, everyone immediately thinks Sydney Opera House.  Those who have lived in Sydney all their lives and raised families here would tell you there’s a lot more going on to give your toddlers a childhood rich with learning experiences.  Here are some of the places you can take your tiny tot to;

Taronga Zoo.

What can toddlers do in Sydney?

Taronga zoo officially opened its doors to the public in October 1916. The zoo was modelled after the bar-less exhibits of the Hamburg Zoo in Germany.If you’re a trivia buff, it’ll interest you to know that the Zoo is built on the lands of the Cammeraigal people, which is why officials also offer classes on cultural awareness to pay tribute to them and their traditions.

 Toddler activities in Sydney that will leave your toddler spellbound include the Savannah Exhibit, Asian elephants, Giraffes and Red kangaroo enclosures. You’ll get to see 5 lion cubs that were born in August, so it might fascinate your little one to see their ‘wilder’ counterpart! Since the family will be spending the hottest part of the day strolling through the exhibits, it's best to put a sun hat on your bub to shade them from the heat. 

You can also book your family in for a stay at the Wildlife Retreat that overlooks the Sydney Harbour. The views alone will make you want to extend your weekend! 

Opening hours: 9.30AM-17.00PM

Location: Bradleys Head Road, Mosman

Pricing:$44 for adults, $26 for children aged between 4 and 15, and it's free for toddlers!

Sydney Sealife Aquarium

What is there to do on the North Shore for toddlers?

Sydney’s Sealife Aquarium is a public aquarium that is a part of the Sealife Trust. It offers several attractions for families, school-going kids and tourists. Plan your day out with your bub by showing him or her through the 9 interactive zones featuring the Shark Valley, Penguin Exhibition and Reef. You can book a slot on their website based on days and times.

Your toddler may not be as much into the VR experience as your older ones might be, but it's still worth it for just $15.

Opening hours: 10AM-4PM

Location:Darling Harbour, 1-5 Wheat Road, Sydney NSW 2000

Pricing:  Between $38 to 85, depending on whether you opt for a single-day, two,three or four-attraction ticket.

Wiggles exhibition at powerhouse museum

What can you do in Sydney with a baby?

The Wiggles are an absolute must for your little one! . The group is performing at the Powerhouse museum and features Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus. 

While entry is free, you would still need to book a session. Once you enter the museum, you can sit in the red car and watch them perform digitally. The exhibition also features some keepsakes that belong to the group members, such as Lachy’s first teddy bear and Emma’s ballet shoes. The sessions run for an hour with a 15-minute break to sanitise the place. 

Opening hours: 10 AM -15PM

Location: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007

Pricing: Free but all visitors require a ticket for admission

Explore Wendy’s Secret Garden 

What is there to do in Chatswood for kids?

Wendy’s secret garden is a widow’s tribute to her late husband. Wendy Whiteley started her gardening project after 1992 to cope with her late husband (the celebrated artist Brett Whiteley)’s passing. She cleared an unused railway land and began planting flowering shrubs and seeds until the land began blooming.

The garden now sells hand-tempered chocolate in designs inspired by Brett Whiteley’s Sydney landscape paintings. Your little rugrat will love running through the trees and winded gullies. The family will certainly love hearing the diverse birdlife chirping away - parrots, gulls and Kookaburras! 

Opening hours: Always Open

Location: Near Milson’s Point at The Lavender Bay Parklands.

Pricing: Free but requires a booking for any group size.

Balmoral Beach

Indoor activities for toddlers Sydney

Balmoral Beach is Sydney’s prized beach, named after Balmoral Castle in the United Kingdom. It is known for its picnicking spots and a sheltered swimming cove.  The beach also has amazing views and is in close proximity to the Sydney Harbour National Park, Taronga Zoo and Sirius Cove. You can spend the entire day at Balmoral with your little bub and take in the sounds of the gulls, laughter of children and have fun in the sand. 

The adults can snorkel, go for a swim or stroll along the foreshore. Take advantage of the harbourside position to go for a dip in the ocean’s calm waters. 

I can guarantee you that the day out will make your bub fall asleep as soon as their little head touches the pillow!

Opening hours: All day

Location: Mosman NSW 2088

Pricing: Free, individual attractions may be charged depending on the group size.

Dee Why 

toddler activities

Dee Why is a beach overlooking the Tasman Bay and is one of the friendliest family-day spots. The beach faces South-east but the headline protects from the southerly winds.  Dee Why has two ocean pools, one specifically for toddlers and the other a 50 m lap pool. The adjoining Ted Jackson Reserve has a fenced-in children’s playground and outdoor tennis table. The entire area offers free Wifi to patrons. 

How Dee Why got its name is unclear. Some say it was referenced in a field book by James Meehan, a surveyor. Others allege that it was named after a maths term in calculus.

Opening hours: All day

Location: Clyde Road, Near the James Meehan Reserve, NSW

Pricing: Free  

Lane Cove

Lane Cove

The Lane Cove National Park offers nature walks, cabin and caravan stays for long weekends. 

It's the best toddler activities in Sydney if you’re looking to provide an educational experience to your young ones while they’re still at that exploration stage.  

The family will get to walk among Eucalyptus trees and through saltwater wetlands which play host to diverse aquatic life and wildlife. The best part about the Lane Cove is its central location and proximity to the Sydney Business District. If you’re into history, you’ll like learning more about the Aboriginals or the original inhabitants of the lands.

Opening hours: 9AM-19.00PM

Location:  Lower North Shore, NSW Sydney

Pricing:  $8 per vehicle per day.it's $4.40 and $2.20 per adult and child per day. 

Clontarf reserve

Clontarf reserve

Clontarf is a part of the Northern Beaches Council. It has a host of interesting toddler activities to do in Sydney, including the Clontarf playground, waterfront and beach. You can push your toddler on one of the plentiful swing sets, have them climb the monkey bars or go sliding.

 Opening hours: All day

Location: Sandy Bay Rd, Clontarf NSW 2093

Pricing: Free

Narrabeen Lake

Narrabeen Lake

Narrabeen Lake (also called Narrabeen Lagoon) is home to a rich wildlife. You can go bushwalking or indulge in water sports. If everyone in the fam is up for it, you all can do the 6-hour trek from Narrabeen to Manly lake. You will get to see stunning views of the Curl Curl, Manly, North Steyne and Long reef beaches.

The little tykes can ride their bikes around the lake and burn some of that energy on the 8.4 km loop. The path is safe because there are no steps so it's accessible to all walkers, cyclists and people of all abilities. 

Opening hours: All day

Location: Narrabeen NSW 2101

Pricing: Free

Seaside Stroller Tour At Australian Maritime Museum

Seaside Stroller Tour At Australian Maritime Museum

I’ve kept the best for the last, because nothing’s going to beat the excitement of a stroller tour around the Australian Maritime Museum! The tours are themed and the next ones run on Friday, 28th January and 21 February 2022. Visitors will get morning or afternoon tea refreshments and entry to the exhibits. 

Opening hours: 10.30AM-12.30PM

Location:2 Murray Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Price: $230 for groups,

$23 for Adults

 It's free for babies. 

FAQS

FAQS

What is there to do in Chatswood for kids?

You can take them to

  1. Chatswood Chase mall
  2. Strike Chatswood for bowling.
  3. Hoyts Cinema

 What is there to do on the North Shore for toddlers?

The North Shore is home to many beaches and national parks, which include attractions for toddlers. Some toddler activities Sydney to consider participating in is a visit to;

  1. Luna Park at Milsons Point
  2. Wendy’s Secret garden facing Sydney Harbour.
  3. National parks like Bobbin Head or Lane Cove.

 What are some Indoor activities for toddlers Sydney?

 

    The Northshore mums recommend the following places for indoor activities;

    1. Kids World Playland at the Macquarie Shopping Centre.
    2. The Chatswood Simply fun and Planet Mino
    3. Monkey Mania at the Top Ryde
    4. KiddoKove at the Hornsby
    5. Head over to restaurants with an indoor play area such as the Magpies Waitara, Terrey Hills Tavern and the Belrose Hotel. 
    6. Stomping Ground in Brookvale
    7. Inflatable World in Dural, The Hills
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