As the summer holidays stretch out, we thought we’d come up with ideas for a kid-friendly night out in Sydney.
Summer is a lovely time to take advantage of the more relaxed pace of the holidays with an evening on the town. A meal in a family-friendly restaurant, an open-air movie, a staycation or a balmy garden. These are all perfect ways to give your kids a summer to remember. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for a special night out, Sydney will deliver.
Night Owls film festival
This free annual outdoor film festival in Darlinghurst is a wallet-friendly opportunity for Sydney kids and their parents, especially after the expense of Christmas. Running for two weeks every January, simply find a spot for your picnic blanket at the Village Square in the Darling Quarter. Once settled, you’ll find bands, a short film and then a family feature film. On some nights, there’s also a film for the grown-ups later on. Bring a picnic and have an ice-cream afterwards. Or get there early for dinner at one of the Darling Quarter’s many restaurants.
Garden Night Life
Explore the Royal Botanic Garden after hours on a special evening tour by torchlight. This way, you’ll avoid the crowds and heat while also enjoying a special glimpse at some of the garden’s nocturnal residents.
With the help of experienced guides, torchlight and other equipment, you’ll catch sight of possums, flying foxes, tawny frogmouths and, if you’re lucky, the garden’s elusive powerful owl. Check the website for upcoming dates, and check out our blog on Sydney’s most Instagrammable gardens for more ideas.
A kid-friendly night out at Watson’s Bay
Take the time to appreciate the city’s incredible harbour with a ferry to Watson’s Bay. Once there, prepare to be well catered for by the Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel. The setting, with its harbour shoreline and green parkland, means your kids will have space to burn off some energy, and the well-priced kid-friendly menu will also go down well.
On Sundays, for every main meal you order you receive a kid’s meal for free – with easy options including pizza, pasta, burgers and fish and chips. If you’re not going away this summer, a night here is the ideal Sydney staycation.
Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo
For another staycation with a difference, a night at the zoo is one that will stay with your kids forever. Roar and Snore offers luxurious safari-style accommodation within the beautiful zoo grounds. You’ll dine at the harbour-side campsite, take in the beautiful views, and enjoy a buffet breakfast.
Take part in a night safari led by experienced zoo guides and join in with feeding times. Then sleep in a safari-style tent, falling asleep to the varied sounds of Taronga Zoo at night and the knowledge that your presence is helping to fund conservation projects by this not-for-profit organisation. If your kids are animal lovers, this is a wonderful opportunity to get closer to them in the presence of knowledgeable guides.
A kid-friendly night out at a Teppanyaki restaurant
For a special and kid-friendly night out to celebrate summer, there’s nothing like the vibrant theatre of a teppanyaki restaurant. And this is particularly good if you have adventurous eaters. Hisshou Teppanyaki on George Street is popular with families and caters to its younger clientele with a dedicated kids’ menu. Prepare to be entertained by the chefs as they cook your dinner right in front of you. You can choose from a variety of menus to suit your budget and appetite.
Talk to us
What are your suggestions for a perfect kid-friendly night out in Sydney? We are always looking for new ideas and love hearing from you about the many attractions on offer in Sydney. Please leave a comment on our Facebook page.
