Rainy days in Sydney don't have to mean cabin fever and endless cries of "I'm boooored!" Sure, the beaches and parks are out, but lucky for you (and your little rascals), this city knows how to turn a gloomy day into an adventure.

From hands-on museums to epic indoor play centres, wild animal encounters, and even a sprinkle of old-school arcade fun, there are plenty of things to do on a rainy day in Sydney. So grab the raincoats, ditch the weather worries, and get ready for a day of undercover fun because not even a downpour can stop the good times in this town!

Please note: all venues and activities listed are verified as current as of January 2026, but are subject to change without notice.

100 Rainy Day Indoor Activities in Sydney

Play Tourist for the Day

Sydney is a magical city to be a tourist in, so why not pretend like you are one and hit all the top tourist hotspots?

Darling Harbour

No matter how many times we visit Darling Harbour, we never seem to get bored with all of its many attractions and charms. 

For all the indoor action, visit SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo for some awesome indoor animal encounters on a wet day. Madame Tussauds is right next door for a close-up with a celebrity or two.

We could spend the whole day perusing the illuminating Sea Museum (Australian National Maritime Museum), where kids can get an inside look at Australia's maritime history, get up close to submarines and warships, visit exhibitions, attend special events, and check out the Kids on Deck school holidays program.

Check out one of the largest screens in the world at the brand-new IMAX Sydney. Catching a flick on the mega 692-square-metre screen with an advanced 4K laser projection system is sure to brighten up a dull and dreary day!

Head over to Monkey Baa Theatre to see entertaining shows for the whole family. And if you're feeling hungry, make your way to Darling Square to feast your eyes on the numerous family-friendly cafes and eateries serving some of your favourite eats.  

Sydney Tower Eye

Now here's one of the best things to do in Sydney on a rainy day that the kids won't forget anytime soon! Head 250 metres into the air in the tallest building in Sydney, the Sydney Tower Eye.

In addition to offering spectacular 360-degree views across the city, Sydney Tower Eye hosts regular special events for the whole family.

Go Swimming

If you're keen to avoid getting wet in the rain but don't mind getting wet in the pool, get ready for a splash-tastic time at Sydney's many pools and water parks.

Indoor Pools

There are some seriously incredible indoor pools right on your doorstep, including Cook & Phillip Aquatic Centre, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre, Lane Cove Aquatic Centre, Willoughby Leisure Centre, Warringah Aquatic Centre, and the Sutherland Leisure Centre, just to name a few!

Indoor Water Parks

If you'd like your indoor pools to perform double duty with pools as well as water parks for the kids, then check out Gunyama Park Aquatic & Recreation Centre, Splasher's Playground at Sydney Olympic Park, the epic waterslide and turbo pool at Springwood Aquatic Centre, the recreation splash pools at Sutherland Leisure Centre, and the Ryde Aquatic Centre even has an indoor beach with interactive waves!

Play All Day

Play centres and kids' cafes are ideal spots for things to do in Sydney on a rainy day and offer plenty of indoor adventures!

Indoor Play Centres

We have a HUGE list of epic indoor play centres in every corner of Sydney. If your kids love bouncing around in ball pits, Planet Mino has the largest ball pit in Sydney! There's also a second Planet Mino at Westfield Warringah Mall that's equally exciting.

Major Fun in Mt Pritchard and Freshwater bring all the thrills and hours of, well, major fun! Both centres offer plenty to see and do, including multi-level play structures, interactive floors, slides and walls, themed party rooms, a ninja course, sports arenas, a separate toddler play zone, plus food and drinks for all.

Kids World Playland in Bankstown is huge, with a multi-level play structure, trampolines, tunnels, a cannonball battle zone, an inflatable slide, and more! Another huge indoor playground for neverending fun, head to Tik Tocs in Prestons. Slippery slides, mazes, ball pits, and even laser tag are on offer. 

Ultimate Family Fun Centre in Northmead is the largest indoor play centre in Australia, boasting a massive trampoline zone with a foam pit, climbing wall and dodgeball, plus slip & slides, bumper cars and games galore. 

Read on to find more indoor play centres near you.

Kids' Cafes

The evolution of kids' cafes has taken Sydney by storm, and if you haven't visited one yet, you and the kids are missing out!

Kids' cafes combine the excitement of an indoor play centre for kids with the luxury of an on-site cafe for parents - talk about a win-win. If you're looking for things to do in Sydney on a rainy day that can keep the kids occupied while you enjoy a coffee or two, here are some of our favourite kids' cafes to check out:

The adorable Twinkle Kids Cafe in Burwood is the play centre for imaginative play, with a dedicated LEGO zone, a hospital, a fruit and vegetable market, and an awesome ball pit. Tada Kids' Cafe encourages child development through interactive play in their adorable and colourful play spaces. And speaking of adorable, Cuto Kids' Cafe is exactly what the name implies - one of the cutest indoor play areas for Sydney kids.  

The Vitaland Kids' Cafe franchise seems to be growing by the minute - there are now six locations in Sydney, and each one keeps getting better and better!

Get Your Putts Into Gear

Who doesn't love a round of mini-golf? Sydney is packed with fun mini golf spots that make for a brilliant family outing, rain, hail or shine. For city-centre cool with quirky themed holes and plenty of laughs, Holey Moley serves up imaginative indoor courses that keep kids entertained with playful designs and quirky courses. If you're after classic outdoor fun in a garden setting, Dural Putt Putt and Thornleigh Golf Centre offer traditional putt-putt courses where little ones can work on their swing beside ponds and bridges. Over in the south-west, Entertainment Park in Bankstown pairs a themed 18-hole mini golf adventure with bonus activities like go-karts and bowling for a full day of family fun. 

Check out more spots for kids' mini golf.

Treat Yourself

If the rain gets you down, perk up with some sugar! From yummy hot chocolates to cinnamon scrolls, wobbly pancakes, milkshakes, dessert bars and more, the city is full of sugary pitstops to make rainy days a little bit sweeter.

Load up on Caffeine

To all parents who are parenting without caffeine, we salute you! We're not ashamed to admit that we need a few extra coffees to conquer rainy days with bored kids, and if you do too, we know you're going to want to hit up a kid-friendly cafe stat.

We've got a long list of kid-friendly cafes to choose from, plus the prettiest cafes in Sydney, and cafes in Parramatta to tickle your fancy - we told you we loved coffee!

Hit the (Kid-friendly) Pub

We think all Aussie parents could do with a little tipple after conquering a rainy day in Sydney with bored kids!

Treat yourself at the end of a hard day of parenting with a trip to one of the many kid-friendly pubs scattered across Sydney. Try Pennant Hills Hotel and Five Dock RSL, Club Central in Menai, Tradies Club at Gymea, The Taren Point Hotel, North Ryde RSL, The Castle Hill RSL, Rouse Hill's Australian Hotel and Brewery, or the incredible Coogee Pavilion.

For more, check out Sydney’s best kid-friendly pubs.

Stop Off at the Movies

 

See what's on at EVENT CINEMAS or HOYTS – Mums and Bubs movies run weekdays during term. Hoyts Junior shows preschooler movies on Saturdays and Sundays, and on some Tuesdays during term time. 

If you're heading to the movies with kids under eight, we highly recommend checking out Event Junior's movie playground!

See a Show

If nothing good is on at the movies, check out what kids' shows are playing in Sydney.

Taking the kids to the theatre is a great way to experience a touch of culture and see some of their favourite characters in the flesh. Live kids' shows often include interactive performances, which is fantastic for encouraging kids to come out of their shells. 

Check our daily event listings to see if there are kids' shows on today, or visit our calendar of kids' shows in Sydney.

Do Some Shopping

It's shopping centres to the rescue when searching for fun things to do in Sydney on a rainy day! There are many shopping centres with play areas to keep little ones entertained and out of the rain.

There are play areas at Westfield in Chatswood, Burwood, Miranda, Parramatta and Eastgardens – The Broadway Shopping Centre has a good one for under-sixs. The Homemaker Centre in Alexandria has a cute kids' playground. Marrickville Metro has two kids' play areas, and Top Ryde City has a great enclosed play area with a cafe right next door!

Want more indoor action? Check out our list of playgrounds in shopping centres.

Get Your Game On

For wall-to-wall thrills away from the rain, kids will love getting their game faces on at these bowling, arcade, laser tag, and paintball venues.

Bowling Alleys

Take your pick of loads of cool bowling alleys across Sydney, including Strike, Zone Bowling, and Kingpin, or go back in time at the retro 1960s-style Manhattan Superbowl.

Arcades

Archie Brothers Cirque Electrique offers everything from dodgems to classic arcade games, bowling, laser tag, virtual reality and even a simulated thrill rider - there really is no end of fun waiting to be had! B.Lucky & Sons is one of our favourite retro bar-meets-arcades at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter and will entertain the kids (and kidults!) for hours with Mario Kart, Space Invaders, Nintendo, Dance Dance Revolution, NBA Hoops and plenty more. TimeZone is the perfect destination for fun things to do in Sydney on a rainy day, with arcades aplenty, plus other indoor sports and even yummy snacks!

Laser Tag

Just because it's raining in Sydney doesn't mean you and the kids should become couch potatoes! Engaging in indoor activities is a great substitute for being active outdoors, and our adventurous city offers plenty of rainy day activities, including laser tag. 

Head to Kingpin in Macarthur or North Strathfield for the ultimate laser tag battlefield, where you can get your laser on with up to 40 friends! Underworld Laser in Menai offers multiple eye-opening themes for laser tag enthusiasts. Spitfire Laser Tag are known for offering cutting-edge laser technologies in their laser tag arena, and Code Red Laser is the largest laser tag arena in Australia!

Read on for more laser tag venues in Sydney.

Paintball

If you've got just as much energy as the kids, why not challenge them to a round of paintball?

One for the older kids, indoor paintball venues in Sydney are geared up to the nines with obstacle courses, themed rooms, simulations, and epic camo gear, of course! There are a handful of paintball venues in Sydney, but Spitfire and Diehard Indoor Paintball are the only ones with indoor courses. 

Ride Like the Wind

Let the kids use all that pent-up energy behind the wheel of awesome bumpers car rides and go-karting.

Bumper Cars

Sydney is home to several epic bumper car venues - check out Spin Zone Bumper Cars at several Time Zones across Sydney, Ultimate Sydney run their fast and furious Spin Bumper Cars, head to Luna Park to visit Dodgem City, and Major Fun in Mt Pritchard also have a bumper cars arena. 

Go Karting

Hit the tracks without worrying about the rain at a cool indoor go-karting track.

Some of our favourites include Ultimate Karting, Spitfire, Hyper Karting at Moore Park, and Sydney's largest indoor e-karting arena at Entertainment Park. If you're keen to try real-life racing with a virtual reality twist, EQ's BattleKart is for you. 

Unleash Your Inner Ninja Warrior

If the kids are bouncing off the walls at home, get them out of the house and bouncing off the walls at Sydney's best ninja warrior courses.

There are several awesome ninja warrior courses dotted across the city, which are a must in your arsenal of things to do in Sydney on a rainy day. We highly recommend checking out Ninja 101, Ninja Kids in Hornsby, My First Gym in Frenchs Forest, or Tru Ninja in Penrith.  

 Rock On

Ditch the screens for some hands-on fun at a cool rock-climbing venue.

One of our favourite rock climbing venues is Climb Fit, with three locations in Sydney in Kirrawee, St Leonards and Macquarie Park, each with state-of-the-art climbing and bouldering facilities and dedicated kids’ programs. Little climbers as young as three can try it out, and they also host 3-hour holiday camps and kids' birthday parties.

Other rock climbing venues in Sydney include Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym at St Peters and Villawood, Rockhouse in Brookvale and The Edge Climbing Centre in Castle Hill.

Check out more rock climbing centres in Sydney.

Escape Reality

Looking for out-of-the-box things to do in Sydney on a rainy day? There's a whole host of escape rooms in Sydney to check out, including Entermission, Escape Hunt, Expedition, and Labyrinth Escape Rooms.

 Hit the Ice, Ice, Baby

Ice skating is one of our favourite activities for unbearable hot days or annoyingly wet ones. 

Ice Zoo in Mascot is awesome, or go west and skate at the Liverpool Catholic Club Ice Rink. But wait, there are more of the best places to take kids ice skating in Sydney.

Spot Some Ghosts

Did you know that Sydney runs a load of spooky ghost tours? If you're not too afraid to find out what's lurking in the shadows of some of the city's oldest and creepiest locations, it's time to get your ghost on!

There are several ghost tours that run throughout the year, but only two are run indoors. The Q Station in Manly is rumoured to be one of the most haunted locations in Sydney and offers ghost tours for teenagers and children. If haunted gaols are your thing, check out the seriously creepy Parramatta Gaol Ghost Tour.

Brush up on Your History

Sydney is alive with art, culture, and history at the city's many museums and art galleries - and they're all indoors!

Kid-friendly Museums

We love The Australian Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Justice and Police Museum (Circular Quay), Hyde Park Barracks and the Museum of Fire (Penrith).

If you've visited all those already, there are loads more kid-friendly museums to add to your list.

Art Gallery of NSW

The Art Gallery of NSW offers a variety of free activities for children, from tots to teenagers. Engage your kids with specially designed children's trails, a kids' audio tour, or curl up with a book on a rainy day at the new Ashley Dawson-Damer Children's Art Library. The gallery also hosts workshops and monthly tours for tots during holidays. Plus, there's a kid-friendly cafe to keep little tummies happy! 

Other Glorious Galleries

If you can keep the kiddies on reasonably low volume (ha!), have a wander around the MCA (Circular Quay) or White Rabbit Gallery (Chippendale) often has interesting art on display that kids will love checking out.

Get Messy

Looking for messy rainy-day activities that someone else will clean up? We can recommend many creative outlets for kids to unleash their creativity, so mums and dads don't have to worry about cleaning up.

We love Plaster Master Fun in Bondi and Plaster Fun Time Penrith. For some cuddly creations, make a furry friend at the Build a Bear centre in Penrith, Macquarie, Miranda or Kotara.

For more creative fun, add these top pottery classes in Sydney to your arsenal of creative activities.

 Visit a Library or Playgroup

Make a trip to your local library or toy library or join a playgroup (weekdays in term time) the next time cabin fever hits.

We recommend visiting the fabulous Green Square Library to check out the rainbow reading room, guitar library, baby grand piano and the hanging aeroplane - it's amazing! We also love the new Children's Library at the Art Gallery of NSW, which has a regular program of engaging events and activities.

For other libraries, check out our guide to Sydney's best libraries for kids.

Get Crafty at Home

Let's be honest, when the rain starts to pour, sometimes there's really no better place to be than at home. Rediscover your love of crafts with the kids at home with craft tutorials, creative kits, playdough, recycled goods, and more.

Cover the kitchen floor in butcher's paper, strip the kids, get out all the paint and let them at it. The after-mess bath is also a good way to fill in time!

Make your own playdough with this easy playdough recipe.

Set up an indoor obstacle course or build a cubby house or fort under the table. Tidy your kid's bedroom with your little one – they’ll rediscover all the toys they’ve forgotten about.

Go through your recycling bin for cardboard boxes, cartons, and tubs. Give the kids glue, glitter, felt tips, crayons, paint, small dry pasta, and foil, and let them at it.

And if you get stuck for ideas, there are loads of inspiring craft websites to get your craft on, including  Childhood 101, Be a Fun Mum, No Time for Flashcards, and Make and Takes. 

Play Trivia

It never hurts to have a trivia game up your sleeve when it's raining cats and dogs and the kids are bored out of their minds. Playing trivia with the kids will not only fill some time but also be a great way to connect intellectually and embrace your competitive side.

If you're stumped for questions, check out our list of the best trivia questions for kids.

FAQs About Things to do in Sydney on a Rainy Day

1. Are there free indoor activities for kids in Sydney on rainy days?

Yes, there are some great free options for families when the rain sets in. Many families love heading to local libraries for free storytime sessions, craft corners and relaxed reading spaces, while free-entry museums and galleries with kid-friendly areas can also be a lifesaver on wet days. For 100% free indoor activities, don't forget to check out the indoor playgrounds at your local shopping centre.

2. Are there budget-friendly indoor activities in Sydney for rainy days?

Absolutely. Low-cost indoor play centres, cheap indoor swimming pools, or bowling alleys with kids' deals can stretch your budget while still keeping kids happily entertained.

3. What are the best indoor activities in Sydney for kids of different ages?

Toddlers tend to enjoy calm, sensory-rich spaces such as soft play rooms, libraries, and early learning centres. Younger kids often love hands-on activities such as mini golf, craft workshops and interactive museums, while older kids are usually happiest with higher-energy options like rock climbing, ninja warrior courses, escape rooms or laser tag. 

4. What are the best rainy day activities for toddlers in Sydney?

For toddlers, safe, gentle, and contained spaces are your best bet. Soft play centres, library play areas, indoor swimming pools with shallow sections, and music or movement classes provide stimulation without overwhelming little ones, making rainy days feel relaxed rather than chaotic.

5. Which indoor activities are best for high-energy kids on rainy days?

When kids need to burn off energy, indoor play centres, trampoline parks, climbing gyms, and go-karting venues are perfect. 

6. What indoor activities work well during school holidays?

During school holidays, activities with larger capacities and flexible session times work best. Indoor attractions such as museums, exhibitions, play centres, bowling alleys, and cinemas typically cater well to holiday crowds, often running special programs or extended hours to keep families entertained.

7. Do I need to book indoor activities in advance on rainy days?

Some activities require advance bookings, especially escape rooms or popular movie screenings, which can fill up quickly when the weather turns. Other options like libraries, museums, shopping centre playgrounds and casual drop-in activities usually dont need bookings and are great for last-minute plans.

8. How do I plan a full rainy day with kids in Sydney?

A successful rainy day itinerary usually mixes things up. Start with an active indoor activity to burn off energy, follow it with something calmer like a museum visit or movie, and finish with a relaxed food stop or café break. Balancing movement, downtime and treats helps keep everyone happy from morning to afternoon, rain or shine.

More Rainy Day Inspiration

If you're keen to keep the indoor fun going, we've got you covered with even more Places to go in Sydney When it's Raining, Sydney's Best Trampoline Parks, and the Best All-You-Can Eat Sushi For Families.

 

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!