Spring has arrived and the Sydney school holidays are almost here, bringing two weeks of festivals, shows, wildlife encounters, hands-on workshops and plenty of outdoor family fun.
The NSW Spring school holidays run from Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October 2026. For NSW public school students, Monday 12 October is a school development day, with students returning for Term 4 on Tuesday 13 October.
With warmer days and longer afternoons, Spring is one of the best times of year to explore Sydney with kids. This year there’s an especially good line-up, including the Sydney Opera House’s first international kids festival, PAW Patrol at Taronga Zoo, free science fun at Darling Harbour and underwater adventures at Carriageworks.
Here’s our guide to some of the best things to do with kids in Sydney these Spring school holidays.
The Big Ticket: Wild Things International Kids Festival
The Sydney Opera House is going all out for families these Spring school holidays with the launch of Wild Things International Kids Festival, its new international festival especially for kids and families.
Running from 26 September to 11 October, the festival brings together theatre, circus, puppetry, creative play, workshops and performances from Australia and around the world.
And you don’t necessarily need to buy tickets to join in. The Opera House Forecourt will transform into a free outdoor playground, with giant swings, installations and surprise performances. Free experiences include SWING, Iwagumi Air Scape, Erth’s Wild Rumpus, Living Sculptures: How the Birds Got Their Colours and Les moutons.
The ticketed program caters for a huge range of ages, from babies through to teenagers. Shows include ZOOOM, Handa’s Surprise, Waiting!, Tinker Tales!, The Longest Nights, Grand Soft Day and more.
This is one of the standout events of the Spring holidays and a great excuse to spend a day around Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour.
Cost: Free experiences plus ticketed shows
Where: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
When: 26 September–11 October 2026
Free & Budget-Friendly Spring Fun
You don’t have to spend a fortune to fill the Spring school holidays. Some of Sydney’s most interesting holiday activities are completely free.
For even more ideas, check out our free things to do in Sydney with kids guide.
Big Ideas Factory at Darling Harbour
Tumbalong Park becomes a giant outdoor laboratory for Big Ideas Factory on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October. This free two-day event is all about science, technology, engineering and creativity, with hands-on activities designed to get curious kids experimenting, making and discovering.
Big Ideas Factory is part of the larger Darling Harbour Spring School Holidays program, which runs from 26 September to 11 October with creative activities, food experiences, attractions and outdoor fun happening across the precinct.
Combine it with the Darling Harbour Playground and you’ve got the makings of a fun and inexpensive family day out.
Cost: Free
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
When: 3–4 October 2026
Moon Festival at Darling Square
Sydney’s Spring school holidays also overlap with the Moon Festival celebrations at Darling Square.
The precinct comes alive with colourful lanterns, food and cultural celebrations, making this a lovely option if you’re spending a day around Darling Harbour.
You can easily combine it with the playground, waterfront and other Spring school holiday activities happening throughout the precinct.
Cost: Free to explore
Where: Darling Square
When: During the Spring school holiday period
Shipwreck Odyssey at Carriageworks
One of the best-value finds of the holidays is Shipwreck Odyssey at Carriageworks.
This interactive experience transforms Carriageworks into an underwater playground, using responsive projection technology to take families beneath the waves of the Great Barrier Reef.
Led by the ghost ship Jenny Lind, kids can journey through an immersive ocean world, dancing with stingrays, drifting alongside whales and exploring colourful underwater landscapes.
Weekday sessions during the school holidays are free, making this an especially good option for families looking for something different without spending a fortune.
Cost: Free weekdays / $5 weekends
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
When: 26 September–18 October 2026
Free Library Programs Across Sydney
Sydney’s council libraries are always worth checking during the school holidays.
Libraries and community centres across Greater Sydney run everything from LEGO and craft sessions to coding, science, gaming, storytime and creative workshops.
Many activities are free, although bookings can disappear quickly once programs are released, so check your local council library before the holidays begin.
Cost: Mostly free
Where: Libraries and community centres across Greater Sydney
When: Throughout the Spring school holidays
Taronga Zoo Sydney — PAW Patrol, Baby Animals & Wildlife Shows
There’s a lot happening at Taronga Zoo Sydney these Spring school holidays — including some familiar pups.
PAW Patrol favourites Chase and Marshall will appear in a free PAW Patrol Kids Show on the Concert Lawns each day at 10:30am and 12:15pm, with a character meet-and-greet at 11:15am.
Families can then plan the rest of their day around more than 15 wildlife presentations and keeper talks.
Catch Seals for the Wild at 11am and 2pm, Free Flight Birds at 12pm and 3pm and Reptiles Alive at 11:45am and 2:30pm, along with 13 interactive keeper talks across the Zoo.
Spring also brings some particularly cute new residents. Look out for Mediterranean donkeys Prince and Nickel, a playful flock of lambs and goat kids, Pea the Quokka, Bira the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat joey and five Koala joeys starting to venture outside their mothers’ pouches.
With more than 6,500 animals across the Zoo, there’s plenty to fill the rest of the day.
Families wanting something extra can tackle Wild Ropes Treetops Adventure, open daily from 10am–4pm with prices from $27.
The Zoo Adventures Holiday Program offers full-day experiences for kids aged 5–11 from $75, while Keeper for a Day is available for ages 8–17 from $170.
Cost: Zoo admission applies; PAW Patrol shows and wildlife presentations included with entry
Where: Taronga Zoo Sydney, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
When: Throughout the Spring school holidays
Erth’s Shark Dive: Live on Stage
For kids fascinated by sharks and other giant creatures, put Erth’s Shark Dive: Live on Stage at Carriageworks on your list.
The team behind Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo uses life-sized puppetry, interactive staging, humour and storytelling to take families on a journey through the history of our oceans.
Rather than presenting sharks simply as creatures to fear, the show explores their evolution, conservation and our relationship with these fascinating marine animals.
Families can also add a post-show Swim with the Sharks experience for an additional $10 per person, offering an up-close encounter with Erth’s Great White shark puppet.
It’s an easy one to combine with Shipwreck Odyssey for a very ocean-themed family day out at Carriageworks.
Cost: $25 plus booking fee; Swim with the Sharks experience $10 extra
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
When: 26 September–3 October 2026
Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is always a good school holiday option, especially if the Spring weather isn’t cooperating.
These holidays, kids can make their own dinosaur-inspired accessory at DIYnosaur Bag Charms on 6 and 7 October, using felt, beads and ribbon to create a charm to take home.
The museum also has a strong science program during the holidays, although some sessions including Scientist for a Day have already proved popular.
You don’t need a workshop ticket to enjoy the museum. General admission to the permanent collections is free, with dinosaurs, minerals, Australian wildlife and plenty more to explore.
The ticketed Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires exhibition also continues through the Spring holidays, exploring creatures including mosquitoes, ticks, leeches and vampire bats.
Cost: General admission free; special exhibitions and workshops ticketed
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney
When: Open throughout the Spring school holidays
Australian National Maritime Museum
Head to Darling Harbour for ships, submarines, hands-on activities and underwater technology at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Older kids and teens can take control of an Underwater Drone, piloting it through a series of challenges while learning how the technology is used to survey vessels and explore marine environments.
Families can also explore the museum’s galleries and vessels and climb aboard HMAS Onslow, one of the museum’s perennial kid favourites. It’s a particularly good option to keep up your sleeve for a rainy Spring day.
Cost: Museum admission applies; some activities additional
Where: Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
When: Throughout the Spring school holidays
Get Active at Sydney Olympic Park
If your kids would rather move than make crafts, Sydney Olympic Park’s school holiday program has one of Sydney’s biggest selections of sporting activities.
Across the two weeks, kids can try basketball, archery, swimming, cheerleading, soccer, gymnastics, diving, judo, table tennis and multi-sport camps.
Young Archers and Sharp Shooters run throughout both weeks, while the All Day Multi Sports Camp gives kids the chance to try a variety of activities.
It’s particularly useful for primary-school-aged kids and teens who might have outgrown some of the traditional school holiday craft sessions.
You don’t have to book a program to visit either. Bring bikes or scooters and explore Sydney Olympic Park’s parklands, playgrounds and paths.
Cost: Varies by activity
Where: Sydney Olympic Park
When: 28 September–9 October 2026
ACO Family Day — Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Finish the school holidays with a little classical music at the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Family Day.
The 30-minute family concert at ACO On The Pier brings Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons to life through live music. After the concert, families can take part in creative play and music-making activities, meet the musicians and see their instruments up close.
The experience is suitable for all ages but is particularly designed for families with younger children.
Cost: $29 per person
Where: ACO On The Pier, Walsh Bay
When: 10–11 October 2026
SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium
If sharks, rays, penguins and underwater creatures are more your child’s thing, spend a few hours exploring SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.
Walk through underwater tunnels surrounded by sharks and rays, explore colourful marine habitats and meet some of the aquarium’s best-known residents.
It’s especially handy as a wet-weather option and can easily be combined with the free Spring activities, playground and waterfront attractions around Darling Harbour.
Cost: Ticketed; book online for the best rates
Where: 1–5 Wheat Road, Darling Harbour
When: Open daily during the Spring school holidays
Luna Park Sydney
For classic Sydney school holiday fun, head across the harbour to Luna Park Sydney.
Take in the harbour views from the Ferris Wheel, tackle the thrill rides or head inside Coney Island for slides and old-fashioned amusement park fun. You can easily combine Luna Park with a ferry ride or walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge for an extra Sydney adventure.
Cost: Entry and ride options vary
Where: 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
When: Open daily during the Spring school holidays
BridgeClimb Sydney
For older kids looking for an unforgettable Sydney experience, children from eight years old can tackle BridgeClimb Sydney. Spring’s milder temperatures make it a great time to climb, with spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the city. It’s certainly not a budget school holiday activity, but it’s one kids are unlikely to forget.
Cost: Ticketed
Where: 3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
When: Open daily
Sydney Tower Eye
Get a completely different perspective of the city from the Sydney Tower Eye, around 250 metres above Sydney. On a clear Spring day, you can see across the city towards the Blue Mountains and out towards the Pacific Ocean. It’s an easy half-day option and especially fun for families visiting Sydney from outside the city.
Cost: Ticketed
Where: 100 Market Street, Sydney CBD
When: Open throughout the Spring school holidays
Outdoor & Nature Adventures
Spring is one of the nicest times of year to explore Sydney outdoors, before the heat and crowds of summer arrive.
NSW National Parks School Holiday Programs
Spring is a great time to explore Sydney’s national parks, and NSW National Parks has a range of guided family activities running during the school holidays.
At Royal National Park, kids aged 6–12 can become Junior Rangers and learn some of the skills used by real park rangers. The Junior Ranger: Ranger Skills sessions run on 1 and 7 October, while Junior Ranger: Creativity in Naturecombines environmental learning with nature-inspired art and creative play on 30 September and 7 October.
Got younger kids? Little Lyrebirds is designed especially for children under six, with sessions at Ironbark Flat on 30 September and 1, 7 and 8 October.
There’s also a guided nature walk at Bonnie Vale on 3 and 10 October, while the Whales and Wildflowers guided walk at Wattamolla on 4 and 11 October combines two of the best things about Spring — migrating whales and native wildflowers.
Over at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park near Hornsby, the Junior Ranger program at Bobbin Head runs on 1 and 8 October for kids aged 6–12.
Bookings are essential for the guided programs. Check the NSW National Parks Sydney kids and family activities page for session details and bookings.
Cost: Junior Ranger programs from $14 per child; accompanying adults free. Park entry fees may also apply
Where: Royal National Park and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
When: Selected dates from 30 September–11 October 2026
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Pack a picnic and spend a few hours exploring the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
There’s plenty of room for kids to wander, beautiful harbour views and easy access to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Circular Quay and the Opera House. Combine it with the free Wild Things activities at the Opera House for a low-cost day in the city.
Cost: Free
Where: Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney CBD
When: Open daily
Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden
Centennial Park’s Ian Potter Children’s WILD PLAY Garden is designed for kids to climb, dig, splash and explore. The nature-play space includes water play, tunnels, a bamboo forest, banksia scrub, climbing structures and plenty of opportunities for unstructured outdoor play. Bring a change of clothes if your child is likely to head straight for the water.
Cost: Free
Where: Centennial Park
When: Open daily
Hit a Sydney Beach
Spring is warm enough to start heading back to the beach, even if the water still feels a little fresh. For calmer harbour swimming, try Balmoral or Watsons Bay. Bondi, Maroubra and Freshwater are good choices if your family wants waves, while Cabbage Tree Bay at Manly is a popular spot for snorkelling. Check out our guide which covers the best family beaches in Sydney — harbour beaches, ocean pools, tidal baths and swim spots.
Cost: Free
Where: Beaches across Sydney
When: Any sunny Spring day
Take a Coastal Walk
Spring is one of the best seasons for a Sydney coastal walk. The Bondi to Coogee Walk combines ocean views, beaches and plenty of places to stop for food or a swim. On the harbour side, the Spit Bridge to Manly Walk takes families through bushland and past secluded beaches with beautiful harbour views. With younger children, don’t feel you need to complete the entire route. Pick a shorter section and finish at a beach, playground or café.
Cost: Free
Where: Various locations across Sydney
When: Throughout Spring
Discover a New Sydney Playground
Spring means playground weather is back. Sydney has some fantastic destination playgrounds that are worth travelling across the city for, along with waterfront parks where you can add a picnic, bike ride or scooter adventure. Our Sydney Playgrounds guide rounds up some of our favourites across the city.
Cost: Free
Where: Across Greater Sydney
When: Anytime
Go Whale Watching
Don’t write whale watching off just because winter has finished. The humpback migration continues along the NSW coastline through Spring as whales travel south towards Antarctic waters, often with calves alongside them. Sydney whale-watching cruises operate from the harbour, or keep your feet firmly on land and try spotting whales from one of Sydney’s coastal lookouts.
Cost: Cruises ticketed; land-based whale watching free
Where: Sydney Harbour and coastal lookouts
When: Throughout the Spring migration
Indoor & Rainy Day Ideas
Spring weather doesn’t always cooperate, so it’s worth having a few indoor options up your sleeve.
The Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium can each fill several hours, while Carriageworks is particularly good these holidays with both Shipwreck Odyssey and Erth’s Shark Dive.
You can also check your local library for free school holiday workshops or head to one of Sydney’s indoor attractions if the forecast turns wet.
Key Sydney Spring School Holiday Dates
| Date | What’s On |
|---|---|
| 26 Sep–11 Oct | Wild Things International Kids Festival, Sydney Opera House |
| 26 Sep–11 Oct | Darling Harbour Spring School Holidays |
| 26 Sep–3 Oct | Erth’s Shark Dive, Carriageworks |
| 26 Sep–18 Oct | Shipwreck Odyssey, Carriageworks |
| Mon 28 Sep | NSW Spring school holidays begin |
| 28 Sep–9 Oct | Sydney Olympic Park school holiday programs |
| 3–4 Oct | Big Ideas Factory, Tumbalong Park |
| 6–7 Oct | DIYnosaur Bag Charms, Australian Museum |
| Fri 9 Oct | NSW Spring school holidays end |
| 10–11 Oct | ACO Family Day: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons |
| Sun 11 Oct | Wild Things and Darling Harbour programs finish |
| Mon 12 Oct | NSW public school development day |
| Tue 13 Oct | NSW public school students return for Term 4 |
Quick Tips for the Spring School Holidays
- Book popular activities early — some workshops and performances will sell out before the holidays begin.
- Mix paid attractions with free activities. Darling Harbour, Carriageworks and the Sydney Opera House all have genuinely good free options these holidays.
- Check your Active and Creative Kids vouchers. Eligible NSW families can access two $50 vouchers during 2026, and unused Voucher 1 and Voucher 2 can be combined for up to $100 before 31 December 2026.
- Use public transport. Trains, Metro, light rail and ferries make reaching most CBD attractions much easier than finding and paying for parking.
- Pack for Spring weather. Take hats, sunscreen and water bottles, but throw in a light jacket and umbrella too.
- Check event details before leaving home. School holiday programs, session times and availability can change, particularly for activities requiring bookings.
Looking for more inspiration beyond the school holidays? Browse our guides to free things to do in Sydney, things to do in Sydney with kids and Sydney’s best playgrounds for year-round family fun.
Planning a regional excursion? Check out our family guides to the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.