By: Alex Harmon, ellaslist 

We talk a lot at ellaslist about what to do with babies, like the best music classes or baby gyms to get you out of the house. Or where to take toddlers, which playcentres are best and the playgrounds to visit where little ones won't fall through railings. But what about the older kids? "Won't somebody think of the children!" They need fun, adventure and quality time with you too. So here are the best things to do in Sydney for kids of school-age - the "kidults" will probably enjoy them too... 

Climbing Adventures

Ropes courses are a thrilling and challenging activitity for older kids that boost confidence and aides in problem solving skills - it's also really fun! At Trees Adventure near the Blue Mountains kids can soar through the treetops on an array of flying foxes, tight ropes and tunnels! Find out what we thought of it here. There's also a new place at St Mary's called Skypeak that has kids donning harnesses and scaling up 5.5 storey high towers and platforms. You can free fall, climb, and tightrope walk around the steel cable structures, a huge course which takes 2.5 hours to fully complete! Or Wild Ropes at Taronga Zoo which allows you to spot wildlife as you climb through the trees, tackle challenges and soar through the air on flying foxes! Yeehaw!

 

Mini Golf 

A round of putt putt golf has been a family bonding experience for years and it's a great test of gross motor skills, concentration and geometry. Whether you go to a traditional mini golf centre - the one at Thornleigh Mini Golf has golfers winding their way along side rivers, across bridges, past ponds and waterfalls.  Or one of the new, funky mini golf bars like Holey Moley in Newtown which combines pop culture putt putt with beer and cocktails for the adults. You are guaranteed to have a ball! 

 

Laser Tag 

A thrilling activity for active kids which helps them learn important skills such as communication and teamwork. There are centres all over Sydney including the Entertainment Quarter, Sydney Olympic Park, Darling Harbour and Rosehill - and being indoors it makes for the perfect rainy day activity. Funtime 4 Kidz in the Shire encourage younger kids to play on Thursdays and Fridays with the centre offering Junior Laser Tag- perfect for 5-10 year olds, so you don’t need to worry about your little kids playing with bigger teenagers.

 

Rock Climbing 

A great work-out and adrenlaline pumping activity that teaches problem solving and boosts self-esteem. Many centres in Sydney will have walls for younger kids to manoeuver and more challening ones for parents to have a go too. Here are the best places in Sydney to get your climb on! 

 

Skate Parks

If your kids are getting too good for the paths at your local park, a skate park is a great place to get their skills of grinding, flipping and carving to the next level. The Bondi Beach skate bowl recently got a makeover and is frequented by skaters, scooter riders and BMX-ers of all ages and levels. There's also traditional ones at Maroubra, Summer Hill, Waterloo, Five Dock, Cherrybrook and a new one proposed for skateboarders in Rushcutters Bay.