With school holidays upon us, if you aren’t going away then it can often be hard to come up with ideas of what to do to keep the children amused, so we thought we’d put a few ideas together for you.

With a 7 year old daughter and a 10 year old son I often find it hard to come up with ideas which keep them both happy. A day out in Darling Harbour is usually a winner and at the moment they have the Whale Tale walk which is a 30 large-scale sculptural whale tails around Sydney’s Western Harbour from Barangaroo to King Street, Cockle Bay, and Darling Quarter.

We all love ice skating so we often go to the Macquarie Centre, although if you need the penguin hire then Ice Zoo in Alexandria may be better for you.

Another activity that they both like is Pop Art in Manly which needs to be pre-booked, they do graffiti and spray painting day which was a big hit with both of them.

Treetops adventures in St Ives caters for younger and older kids and they also have an awesome playground.

Our resident grandmother! (Sarah C) recommends The Pottery Cafe at 996D Pittwater Road, Collaroy – she recently took her 4 year old grandson and they had a fun few hours painting a piece of pottery they’d chosen at the cafe. Paints also supplied, then you leave your artwork with them to glaze and fire and pick it up a week later. Pieces from $15 including the glaze and firing. Enjoy some lunch and a coffee while you’re there. Bookings not essential but recommended during school holidays.

A bit of a drive away, but a favourite of our is Sydney Olympic Park, there are lots of bike tracks and great parks for the kids and you can easily fill a day here. Blaxland Riverside Park is great for younger and kids that are a bit older. There is a also a skatepark and the awesome Aquatic Centre.

If you fancy going on a little road trip and doing something a bit different there is Amaze and Play at the Hunter Valley Gardens. You can explore a jungle adventure maze and search for lost creatures amidst over 400m of twisted pathways, there are inflatable obstacle course to complete a series of fun challenges and The Storybook Garden is transformed into a fairy and gnome wonderland. Plus, amusement rides, a jumping caste and bubble zone.
https://www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/events/amaze-and-play-in-the-garden/

Whatever you end up doing we hope you all have a much needed rest.