Best Winter Activities for Kids In And Around Sydney

From ice skating to snowman building, Sydney will once again sparkle at these with wonderful winter events for the whole family. Here’s ellaslist’s top picks for things to do with families this Winter 2018!

Indoor & Outdoor Ice Skating 

We’ve put together a great list of the best places to ice skate around Sydney this winter. Whether you’re a complete novice or know a few tricks on the ice, there’s sure to be an indoor or outdoor ice rink near you to let you get in on the icy action! From a pop-up ice rink by the beach to chasing a skate session with tobogganing, your kids will simply delight with all that’s on offer for them this winter around Sydney!

Fairmont Resort 

Take in the crisp, clear mountain air at the luxurious family-friendly Fairmont Resort. The kids can hop on the Fairmont Express Train Ride, a guaranteed hit for kids 3-12, and you'll want to take advantage of the awesome KidzKlub available over the July holidays; here the kids will be entertained for 2.5 hours, for just $25 per child. Be sure to take the kids for a walk around the grounds and enjoy the storybook scenery around the resort. For the perfect ending to the day, curl up and get cosy at the fireplace at both the Embers Restaurant and Sublime Lounge. 

Trees Adventure

Having seen more than 300,000 visitors since opening in 2010, Trees Adventure is an exhilarating eco-adventure along the banks of the pristine Grose River. Made up of a number of 2-25 metre-high treetop obstacles and flying foxes through the beautiful Blue Gum canopy, spend two hours doing as many courses as you like! Choose from low easy courses or start on something more challenging. Adventure from one tree to the other while laughing with the kookaburras, and watching the Sea Eagle family soar overhead! 

Parramatta Winterlight

Home to Sydney's largest open-air rink, this year's Winterlight comes complete with a dedicated kids' rink and an elevated ice slide, not to mention amusement rides including a bright and shiny ferris wheel, and plenty free activities for the kids. Make sure to sit back and warm up with some gourmet food over live music at the Alpine Winter Village...a winter extravaganza indeed, Winterlight will be running from 6-22 July, 2018. 

Bondi Winter Magic

“Sizzles in Summer, sparkles in Winter!” The Bondi Ice Rink will be open in front of the Bondi Pavilion again this year, from 28 June to 22 July 2018, offering 45-minute skating sessions for all ages. New to ice skating? You can take lessons with some of Australia’s top coaches on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9am, before the rink opens to the general public at 10am; lessons cost $29 a pop and are suitable for kids and adults alike, with free Penguin Skate Aides for the kids included. Back again are the ever popular evening ice shows by the Stars on Ice champions and ice hockey performers. 

Snow Time In The Garden, Hunter Valley

Each year, Snow Time in the Garden brings three super fun weeks of Winter activities that are bigger and better than the year before! Come here for the giant ice rink, superslide, and the 25-metre long ice toboggan...and build your own snowman at Snow Play Zone! A whole heap of new rides set up camp at the Hunter Valley Gardens last year, so this year's event has everything from a carousel for the little ones to a swing chair for the big kids and kids-at-heart...keep your eyes peeled for the Hunter Valley Gardens Train! Make sure to sit back with a glass of vino or a coffee at The Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village while you're here, which also makes the perfect space for a picturesque picnic.

Air + Style: Watch Snowboarders & Skiers Fly

For the first time ever, this big air competition will be right here in Sydney this August! Watch in disbelief as 60 of the world's best snowboarders and skiers move like magic on a 16-story, snow-covered ramp! To top it off, Snow Patrol will be playing here! Don't miss this three-day event, running from Friday August 3 - Sunday August 5. Details here. 

Some Other Ideas...

Hot & Cold Treats

Does your family enjoy ice cream in the winter? It seems to be a bit of an Australian tradition to enjoy a cone in the cooler months…so here’s our pick of the Best Ice Cream Parlours around Sydney, plus our favourite dairy free + healthified ice cream spots...yes, really! If you fancy something a little warmer, treat your little one to one of these deluxe babycinos while you sit back with a coffee. 

Fruit Picking

All that skating and snow action can sure take it out of you, so keep your Vitamin C up with fruit picking near Sydney in the winter, where oranges, lemons, limes and strawberries will be all ripe and ready to be plucked!

A Snow Trip

There's no need to feel daunted by this...a family snow trip can be one to remember - for the right reasons - provided you do it right! Check out our tried-and-tested tips for taking kids to the snow for the first time.

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