Things to do on a Rainy Day in Sydney with Kids
Are you looking for something fun to do with kids in Sydney indoors on a rainy day?
Although we visited Taronga Zoo on a rainy day in Sydney, as that is what the kids wanted to do, usually it is best to find something to do indoors.
Rainy days don’t have to ruin family plans, especially in Sydney. While beaches and playgrounds might be off the list, get creative and try something new with the kids.
From indoor adventures to fun, low-stress activities that actually work for families, Sydney offers a range of rainy-day options that keep everyone happy.
In this post, I’m sharing our favourite things to do on a rainy day in Sydney with kids, so you can turn wet weather into just another opportunity to make more adventures, no sunshine required.
Free Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Sydney
Australian Museum
🗺️ 1 William Street, Darlinghurst
Always free to enter and open daily with a few exceptions, the Australian Museum is a fun place to visit with kids on a rainy day in Sydney.
The Australian Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and it is open late on Wednesdays.
The 5th largest natural history museum in the world, the Australian Museum is Australia’s oldest museum. There is plenty at the Australian Museum to keep the kids busy for a few hours on a rainy day.
Powerhouse Museum
🗺️ 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
With multiple levels of exhibits, including hands-on science experiments, the Powerhouse Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day in Sydney with kids.
The Powerhouse Museum is always free to enter. They are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm and are open late on Thursday nights.
The Rocks Discovery Centre
🗺️ 2-8 Kendall Lane, The Rocks
A small museum showcasing the history of the area, the Rocks Discovery Centre is surprisingly kid-friendly.
If you are looking for something to do on a rainy day in Sydney and happen to be near the Rocks, take the kids to the Rocks Discovery Centre.
There are a few hands-on exhibits and a game that my kids could play for a while. Plus, there is a kids’ corner.
The Rocks Discovery Centre is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily.
Art Gallery of NSW
🗺️ Art Gallery Road, Sydney
The Art Gallery of NSW is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and late on Wednesdays. The Gallery is always free to enter.
During the school holidays, there are usually kid-friendly exhibits and workshops. Throughout the year, there are free guided tours at the Art Gallery of NSW for adults and teens.
Museum of Contemporary Art
🗺️ 140 George Street, The Rocks
Admission is always free at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and it is open daily except on Tuesdays.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is usually open from 10 am to 5 pm, though it is open until 9 pm on Fridays.
While the museum is generally geared towards adults and teens, they host ArtPlay and other kid-friendly programs.
Chau Chak Wing Museum
🗺️ University Place, Camperdown
During the school holidays, Chau Chak Wing Museum hosts kid-friendly programming.
The Chau Chak Wing Museum focuses on art, history, and culture. The museum is located at the University of Sydney and is always free to enter.
Open weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm (and late on Thursdays) as well as from 12 pm to 4 pm on weekends, the Chau Chak Wing Museum is a free place to spend a rainy day in Sydney with kids.
Justice and Police Museum
🗺️ 4-8 Phillip Street, Sydney CBD
What was once a police station is now a museum that is open on the weekends and during school holidays.
The Justice and Police Museum is always free to enter. It shows what life was like in the 1800s.
While the museum is generally kid-friendly with lots of hands-on exhibits, there are parts that you may not want your small kid to see. Simply ask at the front desk to find out where to avoid.
If it is raining in Sydney and you are near Circular Quay, stop at the Justice and Police Museum.
See a Small Version of Sydney
🗺️ 21 Alfred Street, Sydney
Also located near Circular Quay is Customs House, which is always free to enter.
In the lobby of Customs House, there is a visitor centre where you can find more things to do in Sydney with kids. Plus, there is a replica of Sydney under the floor that the kids can walk over.
It is fun for the kids (and adults) to look down on the city and see where they’ve been.
Go to the Library
🗺️ Various Locations
Going to the library is one of our favorite things to do, and we usually check out a library when traveling, even if it isn’t raining.
Libraries tend to have children’s sections filled with toys and games, which are perfect for a rainy day.
More Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Sydney
Australian National Maritime Museum
🗺️ 2 Murray Street, Sydney
The permanent exhibits at the Australian National Maritime Museum are always free to enter, while the rotating exhibits have a charge.
No matter which exhibits you choose, the museum is a fun place to spend a rainy day with kids in Sydney.
Usually, the museum is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. During the NSW school holidays, the hours are extended from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
Wet weather does close some of the outdoor ships at the Australian National Maritime Museum, so if you definitely want to explore the ships, call ahead to make sure they will be open during your visit.
Sea Life Aquarium
🗺️ 1-5 Wheat Road
Spend a couple of hours exploring life under the sea at Sea Life Aquarium at Darling Harbour in Sydney.
The aquarium isn’t too large, and most visits take 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Sea life inside the aquarium includes penguins, turtles, sharks, dugongs, and, of course, lots of fish.
Be sure to check the daily schedule to find out what time animal talks take place. A 30-minute-long Behind-the-Scenes tour is also available.
Madame Tussauds
🗺️ 1-5 Wheat Road
Right next door to the Sealife Aquarium is Madame Tussauds, a wax museum. If it is still raining, you can combine both activities and stay indoors for longer.
Inside Madame Tussauds, you can find many famous figures, including actors, musicians, world leaders, and athletes.
Wildlife Sydney Zoo
🗺️ 1-5 Wheat Road
Another option right by the Sea Life Aquarium and Madame Tussauds is the Sydney Wildlife Zoo.
This unique city zoo is mostly covered, making it the perfect place to take the kids when it is raining in Sydney.
Even though the zoo is located at Darling Harbour, there is still a wide variety of animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, crocodiles, and a cassowary.
Australian Museum of Magical Arts
🗺️ 95/32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont
Museum of Fire
🗺️ 1 Museum Dr, Penrith
Open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, the Museum of Fire has interactive areas for kids.
The Museum of Fire has exhibits on firefighting. It is also worth visiting when it isn’t raining, as they offer rides on a fire engine multiple days of the week, and sometimes, they have family-friendly events.
Hyde Park Barracks
🗺️ Queens Square, Macquarie Street
Hyde Park Barracks, the heritage-listed former barracks, hospital, convict accommodation, mint, and courthouse, is now a museum and cafe.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
🗺️ 75 O’Riordan St, Alexandria
With an arcade, bowling, laser tag, mini-golf, bumper cars, and Hijinx Hotel inside the Sydney location, Archie Bros is a fun place to take the kids on a rainy day.
Archie Bros also has a cafe inside, so you do not have to leave when the kids get hungry.
Koko Amusement
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Play games and win prizes at Koko Amusement.
Koko Amusement has a few locations and lots of games, so you can play all day.
Power Play
🗺️ 48-58 Druitt Street, CBD
If you are on holiday in Sydney on a rainy day and are tired of the tourist spots (or the kids need a movement break), head to Power Play.
Explore the timed challenge rooms with laser beams, sounds, lights, and timers.
Sessions are 60 minutes, and up to 4-6 guests can play in each room at once.
Rock Wall Climbing
🗺️ Various Locations
When it feels like the kids are literally climbing the walls out of boredom on a rainy day, head to one of Sydney’s rock wall climbing centres.
Diehard Indoor Paintball
🗺️ 11 Henderson Street, Turrella
Kids 12+ can participate in indoor paintballing at Diehard Paintball. Sessions start at 2 hours, and there is no minimum number of players needed.
Protection is provided, as are a facemask, overalls, and, of course, paintballs.
Kiss My Axe
🗺️ Multiple Locations
As long as you are 11+ and with someone over 18, you can throw an axe at Kiss My Axe.
They also have glow darts, giant games (think Jenga), and pool tables, so you can play all day. Some locations also have karaoke.
Be sure to check out their special deals. Sometimes, teens throw for free over school holidays, with a paying adult.
Escape Rooms
🗺️ Various Locations
Fun for all ages, escape rooms are often an expensive day out, but we like to splurge occasionally.
Sydney offers a wide range of escape rooms. The ones on this list offer family-friendly room options.
Time Zone
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Spend the rainy day playing in an arcade at one of the Time Zone locations.
In addition to arcade games, they also have bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, and darts. As Time Zone is usually located in a shopping centre, it is easy to grab a meal after playing without needing to go back out in the rain.
Strike Bowling
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Head to the bowling alley that’s more than a bowling alley, Strike Bowling.
Sydney has multiple Strike Bowling locations, and they offer more than just bowling. They also have arcades, escape rooms, karaoke rooms, and a restaurant inside.
Holey Moley
🗺️ Multiple Locations
If you haven’t been to Holey Moley, you are in luck. There are multiple locations in Sydney, and their themed putt-putt holes are always fun.
Each location includes a bar and restaurant.
Planet Mino
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Sometimes, an indoor playground is the perfect way to spend a rainy day in Sydney. Think it may be crowded? Check their website, and they will let you know!
Planet Mino has a separate space for those 0-2 and tons of activities for kids up to 10 years old.
For parents, there is a cafe.
Ultimate Sydney
🗺️ 5/1B Redbank Rd, Northmead
Ultimate Sydney has separate sections for kids 0-2, 0-5, and 5-12. They include an indoor playground, trampolines, games, soft play, and bumper cars.
You can grab a snack or a drink at their cafe, so you don’t have to head out in the rain.
Flip Out
🗺️ Multiple Locations
If you prefer a place where the adults can have fun too, check out Flip Out.
You can jump on the trampolines, attempt the ninja course, and rock climb at Flip Out.
Bounce
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Another fun place to jump on trampolines is Bounce, which also has multiple locations in Sydney.
Bounce also has a separate indoor playground for young kids.
Cuto Kids Cafe
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Let the kids play indoors while you sit at a cafe at one of the Cuto Kids Cafe locations in Sydney.
Cuto Kids Cafe is designed for kids under 10 years old. There is a charge per child over 5 months, and the first adult gets in free. Passes are available for 1 hour, 2 hours, and all day.
Twinkle Kids Cafe
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Another option for a kids’ cafe is Twinkle Kids Cafe.
The kids can play for 1 hour, 2 hours, or all day, and they have many special deals.
As for all of the kids’ play cafes and indoor playgrounds, don’t forget your grip socks!
Tada Kids Cafe
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Kids can slide into a ball pit, play dress up, and pretend to be a chef or a farmer at Tada Kids Cafe.
Tada Kids Cafe is geared towards kids 0-12, and the price changes by age, day of the week, and time spent there.
Vitaland Kids Cafe
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Sydney doesn’t lack for kid-centric cafes with play areas, and Vitaland Kids Cafe is another fun place to let the kids play on a rainy day.
Vitaland Kids Cafe is geared towards little kids, and those 7+ can only enter if they have a younger sibling.
Prefer eating at a restaurat with a kids' area? Check out this list of kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Kids Day Cafe
🗺️ 11A Bay Drive, Meadowbank
Kids can pretend to grocery shop, plant veggies in the garden, and BBQ at Kids Day Cafe.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the kids can play while the adults relax and order real food and drinks in the cafe.
Macquarie Ice Rink
🗺️ North Ryde
Check the public skate times and take the kids ice skating at Macquarie Ice Rink. You can purchase tickets individually or buy a family pass.
Tru Ninja
🗺️ 120 Mulgoa Road, Penrith
Book a 1 or 2-hour-long play session at Tru Ninja, an adventure and obstacle park in Sydney.
Kids 5 and under need an adult on the course with them.
Kids World Playland
🗺️ 1618 Canterbury Road, Bankstown
Another option for an indoor playground is Kids World Playland in Bankstown.
They have space for those 0-5 and 5-11. A single entry means kids can play all day, so long as they stay on site.
Adults always get in for free at Kids World Playland.
Underworld Laser
🗺️ 44-60 Allison Cres, Menai
Sometimes, it is hard to think of fun things for older kids and teens to do indoors on a rainy day, but Underworld Laser is a good choice.
Kids 6+ can book in for 1 hour of casual play. Bookings are required.
Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre
🗺️ 504 Victoria Road, Ryde
Sure, you can swim indoors at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, but they also have an indoor beach, waterslides, a rapid river, and a wave pool.
If you want to have fun out of the water, check out their basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton courts.
Perhaps you’d like to drop the kids off and explore on your own? They offer childminding as well.
Cook and Phillip Aquatic Centre
🗺️ 4 College Street, CBD
Swim indoors in a heated pool at the Cook and Phillip Aquatic Centre. They also have indoor sports courts.
Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
🗺️ 458 Harris Street, Ultimo
Another option for an indoor swim is at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, where the pool is heated year-round.
Splashers Playground
🗺️ 9 Olympic Boulevard
Did you know that there is an indoor splashground in Sydney? Bring the kids to Splashers Playground, where they can slide down waterslides and ride on the rapid river.
They even have an indoor playground for toddlers.
iFly
🗺️ 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith
Indoor skydiving is fun for the whole family. iFly is the perfect place to be indoors on a rainy day.
Kids 3+ can participate. There is a weight limit of 136 kilos, but no age maximum or height requirement at this location.
Class Bento
🗺️ Multiple Locations
Check Class Bento to find a variety of art classes, cooking classes, and more fun for all ages.
Ultimate Karting
🗺️ 40 Anderson Road, Smeaton Grange
A rainy day is a good excuse to check out Ultimate Karting, an indoor go-kart track in Sydney.
Kids 4+ and 105 cm + can participate.
In addition to the track, there is a cafe and arcade.
Spitfire
🗺️ 212 George Street, Concord West
Another option for indoor go-karting in Sydney is Spitfire, which also offers paintball and laser tag.
Children must be at least 7 years old to participate.
Hyperkarting
🗺️ Car Park, Level 5/207 Park Rd S, Moore Park
Head to the Entertainment Quarter to go go-karting on a track that changes often at Hyperkarting.
Age limits vary for each track, as do height and weight limits. Check out their site to see which track is best for you.
Entertainment Park
🗺️ 20/ 361 Milperra Road, Bankstown
Go go-karting, play mini-golf, bowl, and play arcade games at Entertainment Park. They even have a cafe, so there is no reason to go outside.
Rainy Day in Sydney Wrap Up
Don’t worry about the rain; there are plenty of fun things to do indoors with kids in Sydney.
From babies to teens, there are lots of amazing things to do. Take the kids to an indoor playground, let them jump out their energy at a trampoline park, head to a kids’ cafe, take the teens axe-throwing or go-karting, or even swim at one of Sydney’s many indoor swimming locations.
From free museums to a zoo, Sydney has it all.
My kids opted to keep our schedule and walk around Taronga Zoo in the rain.
While sometimes it is best to put on a raincoat and keep your schedule, if you prefer to stay indoors, hopefully this list helped you see all the indoor activities that Sydney has to offer.
You May Also Like
- Sydney with Kids Itinerary
- Sydney Observatory
- Sydney Opera House Family Tour
- Kids Eat Free Sydney
- Family-Friendly Restaurants in Sydney
- Free Things to Do in Sydney with Kids
- Things to Do at Night in Sydney with Kids
Pin for Later
