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by Christine
Looking for some fun winter activities in Sydney to keep your kids busy these school holidays?
School holidays are fast approaching again and I’m starting to plan some winter activities for kids to keep my three girls busy. Having two primary aged kids and one toddler I really need to think about winter activities for toddlers too. Although I do love a good sleep in and a pajama day here and there we also love to get out and about and keep busy.
Here are 5 winter activities for kids that are FREE.
1. The Australian Museum – 1 William St Sydney.
Did you know general admission is FREE for everyone at the moment for a limited time?
The Australian Museum has had a revamp and now includes a new family café.
They have the dinosaur exhibition including a prehistoric playground and an interactive stomping ground to keep your kids busy. Plus what my kids are most interested in, over 400 animals to discover in the Wild Planet Exhibition. Opening hours are 10am -5pm, 7days a week. The museum entry is free through the school holidays and they have advised this is looking to be extended ongoing. Yay!
2. The Sydney Observatory – 1003 Upper Fort Street Millers Point
AMAZING views across Sydney City. This place is historical! Built in 1858 with a Time Ball and all, which you can witness the dropping of at 1pm each day. It’s free to visit and full of interesting artefacts including 19th century telescopes. Learn the meaning and placement of stars in the Southern Hemisphere and see working models of our solar system. The gardens are also beautiful to explore. It’s a great place – to step back in time and to take the kids to.
3. Grounds – Alexandria Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street. Alexandria
Located in a former industrial precinct from the 1920s, The Grounds of Alexandria is a landmark café. It also offers some lovely little restaurants, The Secret Garden feature is stunning, a bakery & patisserie, coffee roastery, weekend markets and an animal farm with daily animal feedings where you can pat and have photos taken with the animals featuring Kevin Bacon! It’s a great winter activity for toddlers as well as older kids – who doesn’t like an animal farm? There is always a beautiful theme at The Grounds that you can freely walk around and check out (The Secret Garden currently).
4. Bush walks – Heathcote Station to Karloo Pools via Karloo Track 5.5km is a fave!
If you are up to get out in the cold, bush walks make for great winter activities in Sydney and there are less snake sightings in Winter. The Royal National Park has some beautiful and family friendly tracks (even with a toddler) as well as waterfalls. You will warm up while walking, can pack a little picnic (some warm soup) and take in the amazing surroundings that our nature has to offer. Fresh air and out of the house (off devices), it’s a great way to get a little family exercise in there too for winter activities for kids. If you are after a low key walking trail with some pram friendly routes; Sir Joseph Banks Reserve is lovely to wonder about. It backs on to Bates Drive in Kareela. The kids can explore and learn about all the different flora and themed gardens.
5. Menai Marketplace 152/194 Allison Cres, Menai
If you are around the Sutherland Shire these Winter school holidays, Menai Marketplace is hosting FREE kids workshops including a slime workshop from June 28 – 2 July and a kids planting workshop 6-10 July. Bookings are essential so jump on over to Events – Menai Marketplace for further information and booking details.
A bonus extra just because…
Indoor Home Winter Activities for kids
There are heaps of free printables online or art activities to do. There are some awesome YouTube kids drawing tutorials that my kids love to do like: HooplaKidz Doodle – Learn How to Draw is one of our faves. As well as art activities you can do movie days at home or dance offs with Just Dance. (This is probably the most exercise I do.) My toddler attempts all the dance moves with us and we all have fun and a good laugh.
Winter activities for kids or school holiday activities can still be fun and at a low cost or free which is always great.
We personally love some home days to chill but also like to mix it up and get out of the house but not break the bank with paid activities for three kids.
