Best Museums and Galleries for Kids in Sydney
Rainy day? School holidays? Just need somewhere indoors that isn’t a shopping centre? Sydney’s museums and galleries are some of the best value family days out going. Most are hands-on, a lot are completely free. Here’s our full rundown, with exactly what your kids can do at each one.
Museum of Fire
A hidden gem for Western Sydney families and one of the best-value outings in Penrith. Kids will be able to climb into real fire truck cabins, explore heritage fire engines dating back to the 1800s, hop on a ride-on fire engine in the play area, and play interactive computer games. On select days, kids can go for an actual fire engine ride.
Entry Fee: Ticketed, Child (2–13) $6, under-2s free, Family (2 adults + 2 kids) $28. Fire engine rides are an extra $3.50 per person, family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) is around $40
Address: 1 Museum Drive, Penrith
More Information: museumoffire.net
Liverpool Powerhouse
A former 1950s power station on the banks of the Georges River, now a multi-gallery arts centre with genuinely great free stuff for kids. Kids will be able to drop into the free kids’ studio space any time the gallery’s open for colouring-in and craft tied to the current exhibition, join the monthly Mums and Bubs Club, take part in school holiday workshops, and (for older kids) check out the legal graffiti spaces in the old decommissioned tanks.
Entry Fee: Free entry, most kids’ programs are free or under $20
Address: 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula
More Information: casulapowerhouse.com
Campbelltown Arts Centre
Explore free gallery exhibitions and kids will be able to join the term-time Art Club where kids tour current exhibitions then make their own art rather than following a set craft, and run around the Japanese Teahouse garden and Sculpture Garden out back. Keep an eye out for the free Sundown Sessions program over summer, which includes free artist-led kids’ workshops, gallery tours and storytimes on Thursday nights.
Entry Fee: Free entry, Art Club and other workshops are ticketed, with a $50 Creative Kids Voucher redeemable on eligible programs
Address: 1 Art Gallery Road, Campbelltown
More Information: c-a-c.com.au
NSW Rail Museum
Kids will be able to climb aboard heritage steam locomotives and carriages dating back over a century, ride a real steam train (weekends and school holidays), play with Thomas the Tank Engine toys and do craft at the activity tables, and peek into the Roundhouse where trains are maintained.
Entry Fee: Ticketed, $15 Adult / $5 Child; museum + steam train ride around $35 Adult / $12.50 Child (under-4s free)
Address: 10 Barbour Road, Thirlmere
More Information: nswrailmuseum.com.au
Bankstown Arts Centre
Kids will be able to try painting, drawing, pottery, printmaking, drama and dance in the term-time and school holiday workshops, or check out whatever’s on in the free public gallery exhibitions.
Entry Fee: Free entry, workshops and classes are ticketed and prices vary by course (typically $50+ per term), with a $50 Creative Kids Voucher redeemable on classes over $50
Address: 5 Olympic Parade, Bankstown (entry via Dale Parade)
More Information: bankstownartscentre.com.au
Penrith Regional Gallery
Kids will be able to explore art and craft Studios with term programs like Art Attack Saturdays and Wednesday Drawing School, join school holiday workshops for ages 0–12, wander four gallery spaces including the historic Lewers House and Ancher House, and run around the heritage gardens on the banks of the Nepean River.
Entry Fee: Free entry, workshops and term classes are ticketed and prices vary by program
Address: 86 River Road, Emu Plains
More Information: penrithregionalgallery.com.au
Fairfield City Museum & Gallery
Kids will be able to wander through the heritage 1913 museum building, explore the nostalgic Vintage Village, a recreated Western Sydney township from the 1900s–30s with a schoolhouse, blacksmith’s shop, general store and printery. Check out the outdoor display of vintage tractors and cars.
Entry Fee: Free entry
Address: 634 The Horsley Drive (entry via Oxford Street), Smithfield
More Information: fcmg.nsw.gov.au
Elizabeth Farm
Kids will be able to sit on the verandah chairs, play the piano, read replica historical letters, feed the chickens and wander the gardens of Australia’s oldest surviving homestead. There are no rope barriers or locked doors, so kids can genuinely touch and explore.
Entry Fee: Free entry
Address: 70 Alice Street, Rosehill
More Information: mhnsw.au/visit-us/elizabeth-farm
Old Government House
Kids will be able to follow a rosella hunt and river-creature colouring activity while exploring convict-built rooms, get up close to rare colonial furniture and textiles, and hear real stories of the first ten Governors of NSW.
Entry Fee: Ticketed, Concession/Child (5–15) $12, Family $42, under-5s free
Address: Parramatta Park, Pitt Street entrance, Parramatta
More Information: nationaltrust.org.au/places/old-government-house
sydney cbd
Australian National Maritime Museum
Kids will be able to climb aboard a real Cold War submarine, walk the deck of a Navy destroyer, and explore a full-size replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour. Under-5s have their own Play Gallery, and there are Kids on Deck holiday programs plus rotating exhibitions on shipwrecks and ocean life.
Entry Fee: Free entry for the museum galleries, you only pay to board the vessels
Address: 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour
More Information: sea.museum
Sydney Observatory
Part of the Powerhouse family and one of the most underrated free days out in the city. Kids will be able to run around the free on-site playground, look through a telescope (weather permitting), get hands-on with astronomy exhibits, catch a show in the 3D Space Theatre, and join school holiday programs on gravity, orbits and constellations.
Entry Fee: Free entry for grounds and general daytime access are free (Thursday–Saturday, 12–6pm); night telescope viewings and the 3D theatre are ticketed
Address: 1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point
More Information: powerhouse.com.au
Hyde Park Barracks
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict site right in the city, and one of the more atmospheric museum experiences you’ll find for kids. Kids will be able to follow the Kids Trail (ages 5–12) spotting rats and drawing a convict tattoo, listen to the self-guided audio tour told through convicts’ and migrants’ own voices, try on leg irons, and lie in a convict’s hammock.
Entry Fee: Free entry
Address: Queens Square, Macquarie Street, Sydney
More Information: mhnsw.au/visit-us/hyde-park-barracks
Art Gallery of NSW
Free, huge, and genuinely welcoming for families at an art gallery. Kids will be able to grab a drawing booklet or chatterbox activity at the welcome hub, follow children’s trails for select exhibitions, curl up in the children’s art library with its cubby-house style bookcases, and join school holiday programs.
Entry Fee: Free entry, kids under 12 get free access to most ticketed exhibitions too
Address: Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
More Information: artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Museum of Sydney
Run by Museums of History NSW, this one sits right on top of the remains of Australia’s first Government House. Kids will be able to look down through glass floor panels at 1788 sandstone foundations, get creative in the dedicated activity space, and join school holiday drop-in activities, trails and workshops.
Entry Fee: Free entry, book tickets online first
Address: Corner of Phillip and Bridge Streets, Sydney
More Information: mhnsw.au/visit-us/museum-of-sydney
Justice & Police Museum
A former water police station and courthouse that’s become one of the most fun museums for kids in the city. Kids will be able to follow the Kids Trail, dress up as a police officer, judge or bushranger, and act out a mock trial in the old Police Court. Real 1890s holding cells are open to explore too.
Entry Fee: Free entry for kids under 5; general admission applies for others, with free guided tours included
Address: Corner Albert and Phillip Streets, Circular Quay
More Information: mhnsw.au/visit-us/justice-and-police-museum
Australian Museum
Australia’s oldest museum and, for a lot of Sydney families, the reigning favourite. Kids will be able to walk among real dinosaur skeletons and life-sized models in the Dinosaurs exhibition, dig in the dinosaur dig box, and for under-5s, play in the dedicated Kidspace area with dress-ups and play pods. There’s also a daily Kidspace activities program on weekdays from 2pm.
Entry Fee: Free entry
Address: 1 William Street, Sydney (corner of College and William Streets)
More Information: australian.museum
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA)
Sydney’s home for contemporary art, right on Circular Quay, with one of the best free programs for littlies in the city. Toddlers will be able to join free ARTplay drop-in sessions (ages 0–5) for art-making, story corner and sing-alongs, or Art Safari sessions for toddlers. Older kids can follow school holiday trails and workshops.
Entry Fee: Free entry
Address: 140 George Street, The Rocks
More Information: mca.com.au
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