The Best Museums for Children in Sydney

Looking for ideas of where to take your children this school holidays? Seeking somewhere fun yet educational? Museums are a great option for keeping the kids busy. Here’s a round up of my top 5 museums that Sydney kids will just love!

Powerhouse Museum

Located at 500 Harris St, Ultimo this enormous technology museum has free admission and is open daily from 10am-5pm. There’s also a café onsite open from 8am-3pm which is handy. Our favourite exhibition is Experimentations as it is a really interactive and hands-on experience. Children will learn answers to everyday questions such as “What is lightning?” and “How does a battery work?” During this winter school holidays there’s a Minecraft workshop for the whole family that looks like fun.

Children playing in an interactive experience at a Sydney museum.

Museum of Fire

Next up is the Museum of Fire which is located in Penrith. There’s a Junior firefighter zone which is a special area for children to explore firefighting through interactive play. There’s fire safety activities, computer games, puzzles and interactive fire engines to climb in and enjoy. Check out their website for when fire engine rides are available. This Sydney museum is open seven days a week from 9:30am – 4:30pm. Admission is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children (kids under 2 are free) or $35 for a family.

Australian National Maritime Museum

Check out the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney. There’s lots on at the moment with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (admission is $50 for the family) and Brickwrecks. Brickwrecks is an exhibition with LEGO® models, shipwreck objects, hands-on interactives and audio visual experiences that bring to life incredible stories about shipwrecks. Admission to Brickwrecks is also $50 for the family. The Aquatic Imaginarium is free and has interesting sensory experiences and art activities or you could explore the museum’s fleet of vessels.

A Sydney child exploring the old trains in the museum.

Sydney Observatory

This one is more for the older kids. Sydney Observatory in Millers Point has family tours for children aged six and up. You and your family will learn about archaeology, flag communications, weather measurement, astronomy and how telescopes work.

Early Start Discovery Space

Now this museum for children isn’t in Sydney, it’s located in Wollongong but trust me, it’s worth the drive and making a day out of it. Early Start Discovery Space is a hands-on interactive museum for children up to 10 years of age. There are so many fun learning experiences that all the children will love including a bakery, outdoor playground, trains, supermarket and café. Admission is $15 per person and kids under 12 months are free.

About the author

Hi there! I’m Corrina, a mum of two boys and a MaternityNewborn and Family Photographer in Sydney. If you’ve been putting off family photos because you’re too busy or aren’t sure where to start, get in touch and we’ll get the ball rolling as life doesn’t wait. I have packages available to suit every budget and payment can be made in instalments. Your photography experience with me will be relaxed, natural and fun. Together we’ll capture the chapter of life that you’re in with your loved ones so you have precious memories to enjoy for a lifetime.