Parents: Your commitment to a screen-free Summer is likely waning at this point … As you stand at the crossroads of wanting your kids to enjoy some wholesome outdoor fun while also running out of suggestions that don’t rely on a power bank.
Fortunately, a host of fun last minute school holiday ideas are here to help save your sanity. Easy, accessible, all-age approved (and teamed with a touch of tech), they’re sure to win over the most ardent iPad addicts. And frazzled fathers and mothers whose patience is hanging by a thread …
Bounce Their Energy Out at The Big Bounce Australia
If your kids are bouncing off the walls, you might as well lean into it. Enter The Big Bounce Australia — home to the world’s biggest jumping castle, officially certified by Guinness World Records and touring the country just in time for the school holidays.
Sprawling across more than 1,500 square metres, this inflatable playground is basically cardio disguised as chaos. Expect a 300-metre obstacle course, a space-themed airSPACE zone, a sports arena and, of course, the jaw-dropping main attraction: the gigantic bouncing castle packed with slides, climbing zones, ball pits and dance-floor-style party vibes.
The best bit? Tailored sessions cater to everyone — from gentle toddler time to high-energy big kid slots, plus adults-only hours for parents keen to reclaim their inner child. The result: wholesome, high-octane fun that swaps bedtime meltdowns for instant sleep.
Step Into Another Dimension at DigiPark Westfield
If your kids live for TikTok filters, gaming graphics and futuristic worlds, DigiPark is about to become their new obsession. Located inside Westfield Sydney, this immersive digital playground blends art, science, tech and entertainment across 19 interactive rooms.
Inside, you’ll find holographic tunnels, a 7D flying cinema, glowing cosmic spaces, VR experiences, kinetic light art and even a 3D avatar studio where kids can create their own mini digital selves. It’s high-tech, highly Instagrammable and genuinely impressive for adults too.
Think of it as an indoor adventure that sparks curiosity, creativity and wonder — and offers a solid escape from Sydney’s summer heat.
Travel to Machu Picchu (Without Leaving Sydney)
Jet-setting across the globe might be off the cards, but thanks to cutting-edge VR tech, you can still explore ancient wonders. Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City launches at Sydney Olympic Park this summer, delivering a jaw-dropping immersive expedition to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Using next-generation VR headsets, families can roam through hyper-realistic recreations of the Inca citadel, wander misty mountain trails, soar above the Andes and even witness ancient ceremonies — all guided by a witty robot narrator voiced by Terry Crews.
It’s educational without being boring, thrilling without being overwhelming, and a guaranteed win for curious kids, teens and history-loving parents.
Let Reality Bend at Mind Games
Too playful for science and too precise for art, Mind Games – Art Alive! is Sydney’s newest immersive illusion museum, designed to mess with your senses in the best possible way.
Expect mirror mazes, holographic moons, gravity-defying rooms and trippy installations that challenge how you see, feel and think. With 10 immersive rooms and over 60 interactive exhibits, it’s a hands-on experience that’s equal parts mind-blowing and laugh-out-loud fun — not to mention prime photo-op territory.
Perfect for kids, teens and parents who love a bit of visual trickery, this one promises serious wow-factor without a single worksheet in sight.
Legoland For Big Kids … Because Adulting is Overrated
Finally, when the kids crash, it’s time for the grown-ups to play. Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne’s Adult Nights are the ultimate after-hours escape, opening the doors to a colourful world of rides, builds and brick-fuelled chaos — without a single toddler in sight.
On select evenings, big kids can roam freely through Melbourne’s ultimate indoor Lego playground, taking on speed-build challenges, scavenger hunts and creative workshops led by Master Model Builders. Add in VR experiences, rotating 4D movies, classic rides like Merlin’s Apprentice and Kingdom Quest, plus raffles, prizes and make-and-take stations, and suddenly your standard night out feels very underwhelming.
Whether you’re fiercely competitive, creatively inclined or just chasing a nostalgia hit, this is the kind of wholesome chaos that delivers pure joy — and an impressive stack of colourful bragging rights.
