Your first day in Sydney with kids
This is a first day in Sydney for families who want animals, art, green space and water play without spending much. Four of the five stops are within 1.5 km of the city centre and are free. Taronga Zoo Sydney in Mosman is 4.1 km out and is the only ticketed stop, with child tickets (4-15) at $33 at the gate or from $29.70 online.
Start at the zoo when it opens at 9:30am, then head back towards the city. We have put the zoo first because it closes at 4:30pm. Pack hats and a picnic for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney lawns, and swimmers if your kids want a dip at Barangaroo Reserve. Check each listing for current times and prices.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Taronga Zoo Sydney
- Lunch: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
- Afternoon: Art Gallery of New South Wales
- Late afternoon: Barangaroo Reserve
- Evening: Darling Harbour
Morning
Start at Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo Sydney, Mosman · Zoos, Wildlife & Aquariums · Ages 2-17 · From $0 · 4.5 stars (36159 reviews)
Sydney's harbourside zoo in Mosman, with daily keeper talks. It is the biggest outing of the day, so give it the morning. Kids can build the visit around the keeper talks. Under-4s go in free, which helps if you have a little one along.
Tip: Child tickets (4-15) are $33 at the gate or from $29.70 online; under-4s are free.
Lunch
Picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (25572 reviews)
A free harbourside botanic garden near the city, with lawns for picnics, a duck pond, themed gardens and the Calyx. It is a calm break after the zoo. Lunch on the grass keeps things simple, and the duck pond and themed gardens give kids something to look at.
Tip: Entry is free and the garden is open daily from 7am.
Afternoon
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney · Museums & Science Centres · Ages 3-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (15072 reviews)
Sydney's state art gallery on Art Gallery Road in The Domain, 0.7 km from the centre. General entry is free. There are free drop-in kids' activities and a children's art library, so younger kids have something to do beyond looking. A good indoor hour if the weather turns.
Tip: Open 10am to 5pm most days, and until 10pm on Wednesdays.
Late afternoon
Run around Barangaroo Reserve
Barangaroo Reserve, Barangaroo · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (4869 reviews)
A free, 24-hour harbourside headland park in Barangaroo, 1.5 km from the centre. It has lawns, native plants, picnic coves and a netted swimming spot at Marrinawi Cove. After the gallery, this is where kids can burn off energy on open grass before the day ends.
Tip: The swimming spot at Marrinawi Cove is netted; take swimmers if you want a dip.
Evening
Finish at Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour, Sydney · Markets & Family Outings · Ages 5-17 · Free · 4.7 stars (63215 reviews)
A waterfront precinct in the Sydney CBD with a free water-play playground, free Friday kids yoga, monthly fireworks and family events. It suits the end of the day, when kids can splash and you can sit down and watch. It is 1.0 km from the centre.
Tip: Free kids yoga is on Fridays; check the listing for fireworks dates and event times.
Where to eat
Baldrock Hotel, Rozelle. On a Wednesday, kids eat free at lunch and dinner at the Baldrock Hotel in Rozelle, 2.8 km from the centre. It is a pub with a kids menu, and the kitchen is open until 9pm Wednesday to Friday.
Kids Eat Free deals change. See every current deal in Sydney.
Before you go
- Taronga Zoo Sydney is open 9:30am to 4:30pm every day.
- The Art Gallery of New South Wales is open 10am to 5pm, with late opening to 10pm on Wednesdays.
- Darling Harbour's free kids yoga runs on Fridays.
- All five stops are open every day, so this plan works any day of the week.
- Only the zoo needs a ticket; the other four are free.
Questions parents ask
Can you do Sydney with kids in one day?
Yes, if you pick a few stops. This plan uses Taronga Zoo Sydney in the morning, a picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Barangaroo Reserve and Darling Harbour. Four of the five are within 1.5 km of the centre. Drop one or two if your kids tire early.
What is free for kids in Sydney?
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Barangaroo Reserve and Darling Harbour are free, and so is general entry to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Darling Harbour has a free water-play playground. The gallery has free drop-in kids' activities and a children's art library. Only Taronga Zoo Sydney charges.
How much is Taronga Zoo for kids?
Child tickets (4-15) are $33 at the gate or from $29.70 online, and children under 4 are free. A family ticket for two adults and two children is $162 at the gate or from $144 online. The zoo is in Mosman, 4.1 km from the city centre. Check the listing for current prices.
More days in Sydney with kids
- A rainy day in Sydney with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day in Sydney with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out in Sydney with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- Sydney with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- Sydney with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Sydney with kids: all guides