Having teenagers ourselves, we know they can often be the hardest age group to please, so we have put together a list of activities that we think they’ll love. Ranging from free to paid, we’ve rounded up the best high-energy, screen-free activities across Sydney – from indoor skydiving to wave pools, wax figures to high ropes. Suitable for all year round.
PowerPlay Next-Level Karting, Northmead
Unit 3/1B Redbank Rd, Northmead
Sydney’s newest electric go-karting arena, built by motorsport professionals across two storeys with ramps, bridges and elevation changes. Karts hit up to 70km/h, so it’s a proper adrenaline hit for teens craving speed. Options for racing include adults, family and junior (10-15 years).
Dural Putt Putt
Cnr Cranstons Road and Old Northern Rd, Middle Dural
Dural Putt Putt is a fun day out for teens who love a bit of friendly competition. With two themed 18-hole mini golf courses, it’s perfect for hanging out with friends, family challenges or a school holiday outing. There’s also a café onsite for drinks, snacks or an ice cream after your game.
Climb Fit, Macquarie Park & St Leonards
3 Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park
Unit 4, 12 Frederick St, St Leonards
Two huge indoor climbing gyms with top-rope walls, bouldering, an adjustable Kilter Board and an augmented reality climbing wall. A great rainy-day option that doubles as a solid workout. Great beginner options and more advanced climbs for those with experience or who like a challenge.
Mind Games: Art Alive! by Fever, Chippendale
Level 1 & 2, 154–160 Broadway St, Chippendale
An immersive art and illusion museum with 11 rooms and 75+ interactive installations — think a holographic Moon Room, an upside-down train and mind-bending optical art. Great for a group of teens keen on photo-worthy chaos. Park at Broadway for a few hours of free parking and walk across. You can see our reel of our visit here.
Madame Tussauds, Darling Harbour
1–5 Wheat Rd, Darling Harbour
Get up close with 100+ lifelike wax figures across themed zones, including Marvel Superheroes, the interactive Justice League zone, music icons and sporting legends. Good for a few hours out of the weather. You can see our reel of our visit here.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Penrith
123 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith (next to Panthers Entertainment Complex)
Step into a giant glass wind tunnel and experience real free-fall sensations with a qualified instructor guiding every flight. A genuine bucket-list thrill for teens, suitable from age 3 up.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition by Fever, Sydney Olympic Park
Fever Pavilion (Paddington Pavilion), 1 Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park
A large-scale touring exhibition of authentic props and costumes from the Harry Potter films, with interactive elements like practising Quidditch, using a wand and brewing potions. A must for any Potterhead teen. If you book a session for first thing in the morning, you will probably be able to get a 2-hour free parking spot out the front. Feel free to come dressed in your favourite house’s robes! A must-visit for any Harry Potter fan. You can see our reel of our visit here.
Treetops Adventure, St Ives
450 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives (within St Ives Showground)
A high ropes and zipline park with 95+ aerial obstacles across courses reaching 15 metres, set among the bushland bordering Ku-ring-gai National Park. Challenging and satisfying for older kids and teens. There is a great playground next door if you have a range of kids. It’s a great playground that has some great climbing options. Learn more about the playground here.
URBNSURF, Sydney Olympic Park
15 Hill Road (P5), Sydney Olympic Park
Australia’s first surf park, generating consistent, ocean-like waves for all levels using Wavegarden Cove technology. Teens can also just hang out at the leisure pool, skate pad or grab food at Sandy’s afterwards. We have taken our kids before and they loved it. Read out write up here.
Luna Park, Milsons Point
1 Olympic Dr, Milsons Point
The iconic heritage-listed harbourside amusement park, home to the Wild Mouse rollercoaster, Volaré wave swinger and Ferris Wheel views over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. A classic Sydney day out.
HOT TIP – the further in advance you book your tickets, the cheaper they can be!
Hyper Karting, Moore Park
Level 5 Carpark, The Entertainment Quarter, 207 Park Rd S, Moore Park
Australia’s longest indoor electric go-kart track at 410m, with German-engineered karts, live leaderboards and zero fumes. Right next to arcade games and the Hyper Reality VR experience if they want more.
Macquarie Ice Rink, Macquarie Park
Level 1, Macquarie Centre, cnr Herring Rd & Waterloo Rd, Macquarie Park
Sydney’s only Olympic-sized ice rink, freshly renovated with new seating and audio-visual upgrades. Offers public skate sessions daily plus lessons — a cheap and cheerful indoor option. Enjoy 3 hours free parking at Macquarie Centre.
Hornsby Quarry Bush Walk (Hornsby Park)
Crusher Plant Precinct, off Quarry Road, Hornsby
A striking bushland park built into a former quarry, with dramatic rock walls, the Southern Lookout viewing platform, and the steep Heritage Steps bushwalk linking to the Blue Gum Walk and Great North Walk. Free and a great active, screen-free option.
See our reel here or view more info here.
6 Ninja Warrior Courses
Yes these are playgrounds but some even have solar powered stop watches so kids can time themselves as they complete the ninja warrior course – you will find they are even designed with our teens in mind. Here are 6 we think they might like:
- Koonoona Park – A massive ropes course built for budding ninjas, plus a toddler playground with flying fox, basketball court, table tennis, swings & automated toilets
Cnr Koonoona & Karella Ave, Villawood - Santa Rosa Park – Upgraded in 2024 with a circuit ninja course, spaghetti net climb & climbing cubes, plus a fully fenced playground, table tennis, BBQ, picnic tables & toilets
Quarry Rd, Ryde - Olympic Dog Park – Solar-powered stopwatch ninja course with swings & climbing cubby, shaded seating & 2 BBQs right next to the dog park
Cnr Potts St & Margaret St, Gladesville - Thornleigh Brickpit – Hornsby Shire’s first junior ninja warrior course complete with solar timer & warped wall, plus water play, flying fox, swings, trampolines & accessible toilets
1A Dartford Rd, Thornleigh - Fairfield Adventure Park – An epic ninja/obstacle course alongside a massive playground with 11m climbing frame & 3 giant slides — designed for kids up to 15! Toilets & BBQ on site
Vine St, Fairfield - Casula Parklands – Sydney’s most iconic ninja training circuit (great for teens and adults)spanning a 15-hectare former golf course, with an 8m skywalk, dual flying foxes, toddler playground, huge slide dog park, picnic tables, BBQ & toilets Powerhouse Rd, Casula (enter via Shepherd St, Liverpool)
