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    Discover Free Things to do with Kids in Wollongong / Illawarra

    Discover Free Things to do with Kids in Wollongong / Illawarra

    The BEST free things to do with kids near me and Illawarra wide. Discover budget family friendly fun in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. We can’t wait to show you our best kids friendly activities, attractions and places to explore. Written by local parents, Parents Guide Illawarra is your guide to free and low cost ways to enjoy a day or weekend in Wollongong with kids.

    After more free things to do with kids across our region? Check out our Free Things for Kids To Do page on our site here.

    You may also enjoy Top 28 Things to do with Kids in the Illawarra / Best babies, toddlers, school-aged and teen classes / after school activities

    AND – don’t forget to check out our July School Holidays activities and events guide here!

    Sunset Cinema Wollongong is back! 11 December – 28 March – get 20% off tickets with Parents Guide Illawarra

    Get ready for magical summer nights under the stars as Sunset Cinema returns to Wollongong from 11 December 2025 to 28 March 2026! Set in the beautiful Wollongong Botanic Garden, this outdoor cinema is the perfect way to unwind with friends, family, or someone special. Enjoy a stellar lineup featuring festive favourites like Love Actually and Elf, along with exciting new releases including Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

    Get 20% off tickets with Parents Guide Illawarra: Use discount code ParentsGuide20 at the online checkout when purchasing your tickets online.

    You’ll find all the movie-night essentials on-site — from freshly popped popcorn and sweet treats to a food truck and licensed bar — or you can pack your own picnic for a classic outdoor experience. Children under 3 are FREE. Book your 20% off tickets now and enjoy the ultimate summer cinema experience!

    Summer School Holiday Quest: The Play Illawarra Ultimate 20 Playground Challenge

    Looking for a fun, active way to keep the kids entertained these summer holidays? Play Illawarra’s Ultimate 20 Playground Challenge turns the break into a playful adventure, encouraging families to explore local playgrounds, snap fun photos and go in the draw to win great prizes. Simply download the Playground Log, plan your visits using the Play Illawarra website, play and explore each playground, then email your playful pics to [email protected]. Visit all 20 playgrounds to be eligible for automatic vouchers — including a $100 prize for the first family to finish — plus bonus prize draws for completed challenges. The more playgrounds you conquer, the more fun (and rewards) you unlock this school holiday!

    Summer School Holidays = sorted!

    We’ve hunted down the best kids & teens holiday fun across Wollongong, Shellharbour & the Illawarra – from low-cost activities to must-do events. Jump into our What’s On for Kids School Holiday Guide here.

    Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake, Lake Illawarra, Monday 26 January

    Join in on from 8am–12pm for a classic lakeside celebration packed with sunshine, smiles, and great vibes. Kick off the morning with a sizzling BBQ breakfast, then dive into hours of FREE family fun – from slip n slides, water play, and jumping castles to parkour, rock climbing, laser tag, and stand-up paddleboarding. Kids will love the face painting and arts & crafts, while the whole family can enjoy live music and browse vibrant market stalls. With food, fun, and festivities all in one spot, it’s the perfect family day out – don’t miss it! Brought to you by Shellharbour City Council. Learn more here.

    Playgrounds & Parks

    Stuart Park Playground & Lagoon, North Wollongong

    Our Wollongong parks and playgrounds are amazing! We have an article here about the best playgrounds in the Illawarra if you need more inspiration. For the ultimate toddler-friendly playgrounds, read all about the best-gated playgrounds in the Illawarra here.

    • Stuart Park has just been upgraded, and what a beauty it is. We love that it has toilets within walking distance, trees to sit under on hot days, heaps of seating, and The Lagoon Restaurant next door for takeaway lunch, coffee or ice cream.
    • Reddall Reserve in Warilla is another well-thought-out playground that caters for a range of kids ages and abilities. The playground has a mixture of big slides, swings, and sandpits. There are also grassed areas for running and a great ninja course. Taking the kids home is hard because they’re having so much fun. We often pack a picnic and make a day of it.
    • The Wollongong Botanic Garden has a beautiful playground that is a lovely addition to the gardens. This one is fenced, and there are toilets and a coffee cart just outside the fenced area. While aimed at younger children, even our older kids enjoy this playground. We also usually take frozen peas to feed the ducks, eels, and water dragons (no bread though, it makes them sick) as we wander the gardens.
    • Cringila Hills’ all-abilities playground is next to the amazing mountain biking track. It has everything you could need to keep kids of all ages and abilities busy. It has some shade and toilets available onsite. It has a bubbler for kids to refill drink bottles or have a quick drink in between all the play. Remember to bring food and drinks because this playground isn’t near shops.

    Nature / Bushwalks with Kids

    Mt Kembla Ring Track, Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area

    The Illawarra has some stunning bush walks and places to explore. Some of our favourites are below, but if you want more ideas, check out our article on the Best family-friendly bushwalks in the Illawarra.

    • Cascade Falls: located in Macquarie Pass National Park. Wander along the creek, with lots of places to splash and play, through the rainforest to the waterfall (we recommend taking a change of clothes). Wildlife abounds – lyrebirds, lizards and the odd echidna.
    • Mt Keira Ring Track: a beautiful walk through the mountains, with plenty of beautiful bird calls, and some historical coal mining infrastructure to check out. Lots of people prefer to do this walk in reverse from the Windy Gully end, saving the rainforest for last. It depends on if you prefer going up or down steep stairs, or if you have younger children, you might prefer to just do the second half of the walk which is much more flat.
    • Minerva Pool Walking Track: this trail is beautiful. Found within the Dharawal National Park, the Minerva Walking Track winds through bushland to the Minerva Pool. A perfect spot for a picnic and swim, the pristine waterhole is a sacred site for the Dharawal People. Because of this, the Local Aboriginal Land Council requests that only women and children enter the water. 

    Free Attractions, Sites, Markets & Events

    The Blue Mile – photo c/o Wollongong City Council

    Take in the beautiful scenery of this area with some well-designed places to explore here in the Illawarra. Check out this article for more ideas.

    • Visit the best Illawarra & Wollongong MARKETS and local events here
    • The Blue Mile stretches from Stuart Park to Wollongong Lighthouse. Along the way, there are scenic views and cafes galore. This is a beautiful all-abilities walk, but also a great one for kids on bikes. Take swimsuits for a dip along the way, or stop off for a coffee, lunch or ice cream. There are even playgrounds along the way for the younger kids who need a stop-off or a shorter trip.
    • Wollongong Botanic Garden is a stunning location with a playground, coffee van, and a huge range of botanic environments to explore from the rainforest to the desert. Take food for a picnic lunch under the trees or at one of the many seating areas available.
    • The Sea Cliff Bridge walk is a must-do walk for both Illawarra locals and visitors, look for whales or just take in the beautiful ocean views. This walk is in Clifton and is a famous landmark for the Illawarra, featuring in advertisements, TV shows, and even movies.
    • Wollongong City Libraries are located from Helensburgh to Warrawong and everywhere in between, Wollongong City Libraries are inclusive, welcoming hubs for the community for all ages. They offer a range of engaging programs including free sessions for babies, toddlers, children, and adults during the term. Plus, they have special activities during every school holiday period.
    • Wollongong Art Gallery offers a variety of fun programs to nurture your child’s curiosity in the arts! They offer tours, workshops, and programs for kids all year round – including their free monthly Junior Art Trail for kids aged 3 to 5, and their After School program for primary school students. The Junior Art Trail is a free, fun tour of the Gallery for children aged 3 to 5 years old. Explore artwork through storytelling, art making, songs and games.

    Family Fun Days

    Family Fun Day at The Balgownie Hotel

    Both The Balgownie Hotel and Five Barrel Brewing (Wollongong) hold monthly family-friendly events at their venues. The Balgownie Hotel hosts their Family Fun & Games Day once a month and Five Barrel Brewing hold their event on the 2nd Sunday of every month.

    Both venues offer messy play, live music, discounted kids and family meals, facepainting, outdoor games and alot more! Bookings are essential for lunch and entry is free.

    Stories in the Park at Bulli Beach Reserve Playground

    Spark your child’s imagination with a morning of songs, stories and fun in the great outdoors with your friendly local library staff. They meet to the south of the surf club at Bulli Beach Reserve Playground. Don’t forget to bring along your hat, sunscreen and picnic blanket! Every month on the 2nd Thursday of the month, until further notice. Free, no bookings required, just turn up! Learn more here.

    Sunday Funday every Sunday at Warilla Hotel – free kids activities

    Looking for an easy, fun Sunday outing with the kids? Warilla Hotel hosts Sunday Funday every week — a relaxed, family-friendly afternoon designed just for Illawarra families. From 12pm–3pm, kids can enjoy FREE face painting and family fun, while parents settle in for a laid-back lunch and drinks. With a big outdoor playground, plenty of space to relax and a welcoming local vibe, Sunday Funday is the perfect way to wrap up the weekend together. Book your table or cabana for lunch here now.

    Budding Bookworms at Wollongong Botanic Garden

    Stories, sing-alongs and smiles at Budding Bookworms at the Wollongong Botanic Garden! Join in for this free event of magical and engaging stories, sing-alongs, rhymes, wiggly dances and crafts on Fridays near the Garden’s Japanese Tea House (west of the Rose Garden) from 10am. Lots of fun for you and your pre-school aged children (3-5 years). Bookings not required. Learn more here.

    Indoor Venues / Free & Low-Cost Attractions

    Wollongong City Libraries Book Week Competition

    • Wollongong City Libraries are an inclusive, welcoming group of libraries that run some wonderful activities for children and the community. With libraries from Helensburgh to Warrawong and everywhere in between, each library runs free baby, toddler, children and adult programs during the term, with programs on every school holiday period.
    • Wollongong Art Gallery has free entry and an ever-changing selection of exhibitions on display. They also run free early childhood tours, which are a fantastic introduction for preschoolers to develop a love of art. The art gallery also is host to a range of paid art classes for children and adults that are run by artists who specialise in the field.
    • Science Space is a favourite low-cost entry with children of all ages, and even for adults. Their school holiday programs are amazing, inspiring a love of science. The planetarium and daily science shows (some of which include liquid nitrogen and the science of bubbles), are fantastic. Hands-on science at its best, you won’t regret a visit.
    • Northern Bowl, Bellambi is THE Illawarra’s cool & iconic bowling alley and local family entertainment centre with arcade games and cafe on site. They offer CHEAP TUESDAY Bowling $10 sessions – and on Thursday nights from 4 PM to 8 PM, bowl 3 games for just $19.50, and get expert tips from an experienced league bowler! No commitment – just fun, learning, and plenty of strikes…Book here or give their friendly team on (02) 4283 6222.
    • The latest to open is Precinct, a unique dining experience unlike any other. Wander through the bustling indoor street market, sample the best of street food from BFS, Dynasty Dumplings and Bon Bon – there’s really no place like Precinct! Click here to learn more!
    • Early Start Discovery Space is another low-cost entry interactive and inspired science museum where the kids learn through play. It also has a cafe onsite and a cool outdoor area with a creek and heaps of hands-on activities. Buying a yearly membership makes this a really affordable activity, and I’m so grateful we have access to it here in the Illawarra. They now also offer a free weekly event called Dad Space Fridays, which is a new & unique program designed specifically to support fathers, father figures and male caregivers in children’s lives – learn more here.
    • Flipout Albion Park has weekly specials to reduce cost, ninja warrior zone, cafe, seating area, and trampolines galore. It is a local favourite. There’s parking out the back too. This is a great way to have some fun with your kids, why not buy or bring some Flip Out socks of your own and join in the fun?
    • HARS Aviation Museum is another low-cost entry museum in Albion Park favourite to visit, especially for the plane enthusiast. There are so many to look at and explore. On the second Friday of the month, they host tarmac days where you can witness the display of some of their collection. They also have lots of other regular tours to choose from.
    • Tabatinga Dapto is located within Dapto Leagues Club and offers a safe and fun indoor play centre for parents to leave their children while they head to the Bistro for dinner. Children need to be toilet-trained and over the age of three. This awesome option means you can relax, knowing they are safe and happy while you enjoy some adult time.
    • Green Connect is a local produce farm with the goal of meeting the employment needs of refugees, while also reducing waste. They offer a range of fun and educational experiences – from farm tours to playgroups, school holiday programs, birthday parties, and more.
    • Don’t forget to also check out the huge variety of local and South-Coast based markets for families here. Most markets are free entry or require a gold coin donation, and often have great kids activities on offer.

    The Shellharbour Club

    The Shellharbour Club is the ultimate destination for families, offering modern surroundings, friendly service, and endless entertainment for kids of all ages. With six delicious dining options – from slow-cooked barbecue and juicy burgers to handmade pizzas and club classics – there’s something to satisfy every appetite.

    The vibrant Precinct brings the buzz of an indoor street market, complete with street food favourites and unique audio-visual entertainment, while little ones can explore the Block House play area filled with slides, interactive spaces, and colourful shipping containers designed for imagination and fun.

    Families love Kids Eat Free Tuesdays at Fiftysix Dining, plus Friday night entertainment in the Precinct from 6–8pm that guarantees laughter and excitement. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, enjoying a family meal, or simply looking for a place where kids can play while parents relax, The Shellharbour Club delivers the perfect mix of food, fun, and family-friendly vibes.

    Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park

    Illawarra Light Railway Museum, Albion Park

    Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park is a great low-cost place to take children who love trains! A family ticket covers five people at $60.50 and bring your own picnic lunch to keep costs down! Visitors can enjoy rides on restored light rail vehicles and learn about the evolution and history of railways in Illawarra.

    Ride the steam trains and miniature rail trains whilst getting a fascinating glimpse into the history of our rail transport. The tours are lively and full of history, you’ll get up close and personal with all the trains. The museum features a collection of trams, locomotives, and carriages + you and the kids will LOVE riding the miniature trains. Book online!

    With a cafe and BBQ picnic areas to enjoy, make a day of it! Wheelchairs are welcome and can be accommodated on some of the train rides, so it’s an accessible venue.

    The Museum is opened to the public for Steam Train Rides on the Second Sunday of Each Month and On the Forth Saturday of each month for Diesel Train Rides from 10am – 2pm. Plan your visit now here.

    Active In-Betweens – kids free after school program across Wollongong

    Active In-Betweens (Healthy Cities Illawarra) (pictured above), is a free after-school program for kids aged 8–12, packed with fun activities like cooking, bubble soccer, scavenger hunts, and more! Held weekly across Wollongong, it helps kids get active, eat well, make friends, and build confidence. Food is provided – and it’s 100% free! To register, visit here or email [email protected]

    Beaches / Rock Pools & Swimming

    Windang Beach & Lagoon.

    Finding a secluded beach spot in the Illawarra can be a challenge, but there are still so many to choose from. Some of our favourites are listed below and still more are in this article about the Best Beaches for Beach Bums in the Illawarra or our article on the Best Beaches in Wollongong and the Illawarra.

    • Coalcliff Beach & Pool is very special and has a small pool that is waist-deep the whole way (depending on your height). At high tide, the waves often crash into the pool. It is clean and beautiful, with a patrolled beach next door.
    • Austinmer Beach & Pool is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, especially in summer on weekends. With a great range of cafes, a patrolled beach, and even a fenced playground, it is a winning place to visit. We prefer it midweek or in off-peak seasons when parking is easier and the crowds aren’t as thick, but always, this is a great spot.
    • Port Kembla Beach & Pool  is a bit of a paradise and very family-friendly. This pool has an eight-lane 50m pool, a huge shaded toddlers’ pool and shallow paddling pool for bubs. And it has a beach-style sloping entry ideal for those who just want to wade. There’s even a cafe available onsite, which is very popular.
    • Windang Beach & Lagoon is a stunning location that caters for everyone. With Reddall Reserve playground on the foreshore of the entrance to Lake Illawarra, it is a great spot for a bike ride and picnic. Windang Beach is ideal for paddling, swimming or a BBQ, the flat calm water is great for small kids although watch out for the fast flowing tides.

    Dining With Kids (includes playgrounds & specials)

    Tabatinga Dapto

    A night out with the kids, and a night off cooking is fun, relaxing and very appealing with these great places to take the family. Each with playgrounds, kid-friendly meals and deals. Tabatinga Dapto has an indoor play centre to leave the kids at and go have a meal, just the adults. Date night without any guilt. Have a look at our article on family-friendly eateries and our other article on dining with play areas.

    Kids Eat Free. Cheap Eats

    Five Barrel Brewing, Wollongong

    We have another article here for you to read with all the local restaurants where kids eat free. Or this list of fabulous family-friendly eateries, all with specials and deals to make eating out with the family more affordable. All while also being a fun experience.

    Bike Rides / Tracks for kids

    Wollongong has some epic cycling tracks and cycleways for people of all ages. Get inspired with some of the amazing ones on offer in this article with the top 10 family-friendly cycle rides. Get everyone out of the house and have some fun exploring your local area. Find new places to cycle, or enjoy your local fave.

    About the Author: Lisa Hagan
    Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. A student to life, Lisa loves learning and searching for the most fun things to do with her kids. She loves exploring the Illawarra and its surroundings. Searching for fun and educational activities is her favourite for her kids whom she homeschools. 

    Finally, make the most of family life in our stunning Illawarra – Subscribe to the ultimate guide to family living weekly email by Parents Guide. Say NO to bored kids and get inspired! Click and sign up for our Parents Newsletter here. Get all the local inspo!

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