Fun Things to do in Sydney with the Kids

When it comes to looking for fun things to do in Sydney with kids, the fewer logistics, the more you’ll all enjoy yourselves. Your best bet is to head for an area where there’s lots on offer so you can mix it up and keep everyone entertained. Having the option to make the most of both the indoors and outdoors is a no-brainer for kids that are full of beans. Here are some ideas that will bring you the best of both worlds.

Get in on the Fun with Sea Life Sydney

With over 13,000 magnificent creatures, your kids are sure to be mesmerised by our watery exhibits. They can get up close to over 700 species throughout SEA LIFE Sydney's themed aquarium habitat zones; the brand new Day & Night on the Reef, Jurassic Seas, Penguin Expedition, the hands-on Discovery Rockpool, Shark Valley, Dugong Island and Sydney Harbour. The little ones will learn all the underwater secrets, get some fun fishy stories and see the seahorses.

Touch Creepy-Sea-Crawlies

When it comes to fun things to do with the kids in Sydney, our Discovery rockpool exhibit at SEA LIFE Sydney is a must-experience: Get up close and personal and touch spongy sea cucumbers, spirally Port Jackson Shark eggs and bumpy sea stars. The kids will learn the importance of approaching and handling animals with love and care. These are valuable adventure skills worth taking to the outside world.

All Aboard the Penguin Boat Ride

The good news is, little ones don’t have to miss out on the freezing fun! If your little adventurer is a penguin-lover who is at least 90cm tall, they can join the Penguin Expedition. The whole family can journey along a river through the heart of SEA LIFE Sydney’s penguin colony on a first-of-its-kind raft ride that takes you right into the heart of their habitat. See these brilliant black and white birds as they slip, slide and dive; so close, you can almost touch them! Did we mention that this fun Sydney activity is included in your admission? 

See the Great Barrier Reef

You don’t need to fly the family to Queensland to see this aquatic wonder! Watch in awe as you experience the exhibit transition across 24 hours of the day, from night to day, before your eyes! SEA LIFE Sydney’s Day and Night on The Reef is the largest Great Barrier Reef exhibit in the world and will keep your kids mesmerised as they marvel at the beautiful colours and over 300 species of fish and marine life that call our reef home

Make it Educational

Kids love to learn while they’re experiencing the world. Before you head out to the watery world of all things under the sea, take some time to learn about the creatures you'll be seeing. Look up some fish species and try drawing them, make a crafty crocodile out of an old egg carton, watch some David Attenborough penguin documentaries and find out all about dugongs.

Be an Ancient Adventurer

A great way to explore the many fun things to do in Sydney is to go on educational adventures with your kids so that they are learning but also having fun! Discover evolution, and where life began at Jurassic Seas, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Little and big kids alike will be fascinated by strange living fossils and mysterious octopuses. The Common Sydney Octopus has tentacles up to 2 metres long and is considered to be one of the smartest animals found in any aquarium. Learn about their incredible defence mechanisms like their ability to engage quick bursts of speed, camouflage, and even amputate their limbs. Super cool!

Rain, Hail or Shine

One of the best things about immersing in all things marine is it’s an all-weather activity. Whether the sun is shining or it’s bucketing down outside, you can still enjoy your day at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Beat the bad weather blues with an excursion to hang out with the best the ocean has to offer. 

Check out some of these other great ideas for things to do in Sydney in the rain

Catch a ferry to Barangaroo

An iconic Sydney day isn’t complete without catching a ferry.  It is definitely one of the best things to do in Sydney with the kids as they marvel at the sites and enjoy the ferry rising and falling to the waves in Sydney harbour. Whether you score a ride on a classic yellow and green beauty or a classy catamaran, this floating fleet will take you anywhere you want to go on Sydney’s incredible harbour. To make the most of your trip to SEA LIFE Sydney, take the ferry to Darling Harbour and sail your way to see the creatures of the sea.

If you’re looking for more fun, the kids will love the playground at Darling Harbour. As one of the city’s best, it offers everything from water games, climbing ropes, swings, slides and flying foxes to keep them busy for hours. There’s also Tumbalong Park if you’re looking for somewhere where your little ones can run free.

Make a Day of it

After you’ve finished your family-friendly ocean adventure and had a look at all the underwater habitats, you can extend your entertainment by visiting the Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds while you’re in the area. Because a lot of our wild animals like to keep to themselves, this zoo lets you lock eyes with an array of unique mammals, birds, reptiles and fish; right in the heart of the city. To top off your day, take a selfie with some of history’s most famous and infamous; from the past to right now. This one-of-a-kind attraction sports life-like exhibits, and even some superheroes for the kids to ‘wow’ over.

You can say you covered fish and sea life, as well as Australia’s amazing mammals, marsupials, monotremes and reptiles, and some of the world’s most prominent celebrities. That’s a whole lot of creatures and features in one place.

Looking for more things to do in Sydney & Darling Harbour with the kids?

Check out this list of 10 family-friendly activities you definitely need to experience

Buy your tickets for SEA LIFE Sydney online and save up to 20%!