Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra!

Discover the best things to do in Wollongong with kids. Whether you are local or visiting, Parent’s Guide Illawarra helps you quickly find what to with kids in Wollongong and the Illawarra. We have incredible indoor and outdoor family fun activities to inspire you. Ditch the screens and devices and get amongst our top Illawarra family-friendly attractions.

For more of Wollongong’s family fun places to go, read 26 Fun Places to take Kids across the Illawarra.Or, read Family-Friendly Restaurants and Dining, or discover What’s on For Kids & School Holidays in Wollongong.

Sunset Cinema Wollongong, 12 Dec – 22 Mar

From early December till late March screening Thursday to Saturday, Sunset Cinema Wollongong will be bringing its signature mix of new releases, family faves and all-time classics from under the stars at the Wollongong Botanic Garden. PLUS – this December there will be two weeks of Christmas Films.

Cozy up on a bean bag, grab burgers from His Boy Elroy + enjoy a fully licensed bar & fresh popcorn. Perfect for a family fun, night out under the stars. Children under 3 are free. Secure your tickets now.

Chouchoubebe Illawarra

Chouchoubebe Illawarra – Wollongong, Shellharbour & Warrawong: Chouchoubebe is an Indoor Playground & Family Dining Spot popular with the toddler set! With exciting, multiple play areas, all-inclusive kids’ party packages + a kid-friendly menu, it’s the perfect place for kids to play, learn, and have a blast.

At Chouchoubebe Illawarra, children can unleash their creativity, develop their gross motor skills, and build meaningful friendships through imaginative play – where both kids and parents can enjoy quality time together.

Experience the magic of the Illawarra Folk Festival, 17 – 19 January, 2025

Located at Bulli Showground, the Illawarra Folk Festival presents over 100 performers over 3 days, 8 venues, on-site camping and so much more. Enjoy the intimate, vibrant, community & family-friendly atmosphere the festival has become renowned for. Kids U12 are FREE.

As well as performances by some of the best national and international folk acts, the program features the intensive folk school workshops, sessions, dancing, the Youth Folk Traditions awards, instrument makers, poet’s breakfasts, and an array of beautiful international cuisines and craft stalls. Get in quick to secure your Earlybird Tickets on sale now.

Tabatinga Dapto

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Tabatinga Dapto

Let the little rangers slide into epic fun at Tabatinga Dapto’s Drop & Dine sessions every Friday and Saturday night from 5:30-9:30pm. Tabatinga is an award-winning Family Fun & Social Centre at Dapto Leagues Club! Affordable, safe & friendly children’s entertainment! Have a party or take the family for some serious fun and social time!

Tabatinga offers a Drop & Dine service where children can be left in fully supervised care of Tabatinga staff while parents enjoy some adult time in Dapto Leagues.

Tabatinga Dapto’s Attractions & Benefits:

Toddler Play Area (0-3yrs)
Multi-Level Climbing Structure (0-12yrs)
Tinga Ninja Course (basic course for children)
Bumper Car Arena

Visit/learn more about Tabatinga Dapto here!

Junkyard Rascals: PLAY outside the box with loose parts, nature & STEM-inspired PLAY

Play the old skool way with Junkyard Rascals’ giant recycled pop-up play spaces – creating fun where ever they go, for kids 0 – 12 years of age.

Junkyard Rascal s offers loose parts, nature and STEM-inspired PLAY brought directly to your space at schools, daycare centres, festivals, activations, conferences, events, shopping centres, birthday parties and everything in between. Anywhere that PLAY is needed, we will be there. Learn more here.

Their monthly pop-ups at the Wollongong Botanic Garden are run using a playwork approach, child-led with no defined activities, just PLAY glorious PLAY. Click here for upcoming Pop-Up Dates or to secure your child’s spot.

MMJ Aquathon, Sunday 26 January, 2025

Illawarra’s favourite summer community fitness event, MMJ Aquathon celebrates edition number 25 on Sunday 26 January 2025 at picturesque Wollongong Harbour. It’s all out fitness across swim-run ‘aquathon’s’ and the popular Blue Mile 5k Fun run. The Aquathon is a swim and then a run with distances for Kids 6-12’s, and options across the Mini, to the Short and Long for ages 13+. Do it solo or tag team-one swims, one runs. Awesome vibe, finisher medals, family fun and a perfect community event.

A proud local event supporting local non for profits and charity partner Black Dog Institute. D on’t miss out entries are now open.

Science Space Wollongong

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Science Space

UOW is reaching out and creating learning spaces that are hands-on and fun. Here at Science Space, children learn by doing and experimenting. It is fantastic for primary-aged children. It has a planetarium, and this is a great experience. The staff take you to space to explore planets and moons. Science shows are on during the day. These include experiments using liquid nitrogen, discovering the wonder of bubbles, and more. There is a cafe outside and a lovely outside area. The staff are helpful and enjoy teaching young people the wonders of science. The installations here are fun and interactive; my children love it here. The yearly memberships are very affordable if you are going to visit two or three times a year.

Treetops Adventure Nowra

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Treetops Adventure Nowra

Situated close to the beautiful Shoalhaven River, this is a Treetops Adventure Nowra not to be missed. The staff are helpful and encouraging to children and climbers of all ages and levels. The views are stunning, and the park has courses for all ability levels, from beginner to expert. Enjoy the zipline through the treetops or a climb to test your fear of heights. Or stick to something in your comfort zone. Whatever you decide, you are sure to have a fantastic day here.

Get 10% off at Treetops Nowra with Parents Guide Illawarra!

Treetops Nowra provides exciting outdoor adventures that the whole family can enjoy. With thrilling treetop courses and activities for all ages, it’s a perfect day out.

You can now enjoy a 10% discount on their Standard Session (2.5hrs) during the school term! Use the code PARENTSGUIDE at checkout – BOOK ONLINE NOW

Flip Out Albion Park

Flip Out in Albion Park, just 15 min South of Wollongong, is a wonderful indoor play centre. Great for toddlers to large energised kids! A good choice to burn off energy, bounce away the crazies and unleash the endorphins. With entry starting at $17 per child plus special offers Monday and Tuesday with reduced entry prices – click here for info, it’s a cost effective choice.

Shellharbour Wild / Jervis Bay Wild

You and kids love oceans and nature? Cruise our stunning coastline with a Shellharbour Wild Cruise (Nov-May so great for whale spotting!). You’ll explore Shellharbour coastline, hopefully spotting seals, dolphins or the majestic whales as they migrate. Or, explore the aquamarine clear waters further down the South Coast with Jervis Bay Wild Cruise (just 30mins South of Nowra or 1.5hours South of Wollongong). Jervis Bay Wild run Dolphin cruises everyday and the white sandy beaches of Jervis Bay are just breathtaking! Totally worth a short drive down the coast from Wollongong…

Illawarra Light Railway Museum

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Illawarra Light Railway Museum

Illawarra Light Railway Museum in Albion Park is a great place to take children who love trains! 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.

Wollongong City Libraries

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Wollongong City Libraries

Discover Wollongong City Libraries with seven locations across the region! Their libraries are more than just places to read—they are inclusive, safe spaces for all ages – and are fun & educational places for families with young children right up to teens.

Whether you’re looking to learn, play, or connect, they offer a diverse range of free educational, recreational, and social sessions for preschoolers, school-aged kids, and young adults, with programs during the school term and on every school holiday period. From art workshops, to music, to STEM to writing programs and so much more! Simply drop in—no bookings required. Join in and explore all that our libraries have to offer!

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – IPAC

The Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC) have amazing shows year-round for all age groups. It is always an exceptional experience when I take my kids to a live performance, and the IPAC is the perfect venue. Every seat feels close to the stage, and the atmosphere is beautiful.

Most recently, we took our kids to watch “Just Live On Stage”, based on the books by Andy Griffiths and Andy Denton. It was fantastic and the perfect length for my kids. I can’t wait to take the kids to another performance at the IPAC.

Wollongong Botanic Garden

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Wollongong Botanic Garden

Go exploring! What’s your favourite zone? The rainforest? Desert? Rose garden? Japanese tea house and bridge? Bring frozen peas to feed the ducks, water dragons and eels (no bread, as it makes the animals sick). Have a picnic in the Japanese tea house. There is a fantastic, enclosed park with a maze and sandpits for all abilities. Wollongong Botanic Garden is beautiful and has so much to explore. They also have a coffee van near the playground at the Murphys Avenue entrance daily from 9 am-2 pm. You can even buy some native plants at the native plant sale. See their website for details here! For younger children; the gardens host a monthly storytime on a Friday for $5 per child plus a booking fee. Click here to book!

UOW’s Early Start Discovery Space

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – UOW Early Start Discovery Space

A hands-on childrens museum, and my family’s absolute favourite. The Early Start Discovery Space blows my mind every time I go there. My children love it and get lost in play and learning. Inside is full of hands-on play-based educational activities aimed at children birth to 10 years old. These include a Lego room, construction site, two outdoor play grounds, loose parts play, a marketplace and bakery, and much much more.

Membership also gives you access to underground members car park Monday to Friday. This is underneath the Discovery Space. It makes loading and unloading the children and supplies easy. Even without a membership, there is still free parking in the university carpooling car park, a short walk from the Discovery Space. There are lockers inside to store everything you need for a day out. In the enclosed outside area there is a cafe, creek and play equipment. What’s not to love?

HARS Aviation Museum

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – HARS Aviation Museum

Do you and your children love planes? Gets up close and personal with some at this fantastic Aviation Museum at Albion Park. A guide will walk you through operational hangars, and take you up close to historic planes. Explore some of the planes and learn about how they work. HARS Aviation Museum is a must for any plane enthusiast, young or old!

Wollongong Art Gallery

Wollongong Art Gallery has a variety of fun programs to nurture your child’s curiosity in the arts!

Located in the heart of Wollongong CBD with easy access to great cafes, restaurants, public transport, and parking – it’s a wonderful and unique family activity.

Entry is free, and there are a range of specialised tours, workshops, and programs for kids to enjoy all year round.

This includes our free monthly Junior Art Trail for kids aged 3 to 5 years old, as well as our After School program for primary school students! Explore their regular kids’ activities here.

Seacliff Bridge & Grand Pacific Drive

If you have a car (and kids that don’t get car sick on winding roads!), this is a great choice! One of best known Illawarra & Wollongong tourist attractions, but locals love it too…Read our comprehensive Sea Cliff Bridge Guide here.

Playgrounds & Parks

Wollongong & the Illawarra has AMAZING parks, all free and wonderful for kids to burn off energy and play. Read our guide to best local parks and playgrounds here.

Jamberoo Action Park (open Sep-May only)

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Jamberoo Action Park

Get set for an action-packed day out! What an adventure Jamberoo Action Park is. It has something for everyone, from thrill-seekers to the more timid. Waterslides galore, taboggans, a chair lift, and a beach with a wave machine. Grab your season passes so you can make it a weekly event! There are heaps of picnic tables, areas to sit and eat, or cafes onsite. Click here to learn more

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

Visiting the Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is a beautiful, fun and peaceful experience. There is something so wonderful about being among the treetops. You might even spot a tawny frogmouth if you look carefully. The bush walk there is on a solid path, but there are some steep parts. This walk is accessible to all and has ramps for easy access. At the entry point, there is an excellent cafe with tables, or pack a picnic and have lunch together along the way. The view from the top of the tower is extraordinary. And for the adventurous, they have a zipline to travel between the trees

Bush Walks

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Maddens Falls, Darkes Forrest.

Being in the bush can be very therapeutic. Why not explore some of these local spots? Please encourage your children to stop and look around them. Pack a scavenger hunt for different leaves or creatures. Take a camera and get them to look for things that interest them and capture their attention. Point out the light in the trees or how the water rushes over the rocks in a rock pool. Please encourage your children to pay attention to their surroundings. They might find an echidna or notice a kookaburra in a tree. Doing this connects them to nature and refreshes their energy. Below are a few my children and I frequent to inspire you.

Cascade Falls This gorgeous walk is at the bottom of Macquarie Pass. If you’re quiet, you might see an echidna. There are shallow rock pools to play in along the way. A short 2-km walk though steep in places. It is easy for children ages four and over to explore, with a beautiful waterfall at the end. There’s also plenty of space for a picnic before or after the walk.

Kelly Falls walk and picnic area. This beautiful walk is right near the Helensburgh turn-off along the Princes Highway. Bring hats, sunscreen, drinking water, and clothes that can get wet or dirty. This walk is steep in places but a delight to do.

For more inspiration for bush walks in the Illawarra see the links below or read our 8 of the best, family-friendly bushwalks in the Illawarra here

Beaches & Rockpools

Top 10 things to do with kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra – Parents Guide Illawarra – Coalcliff Ocean pool

Find a beach and explore the rock pools. Paddle your toes in the waves or build a sandcastle. Most beaches have a full-sized pool for doing laps, swimming, or playing in. They are not patrolled, though, so you must always watch your children. With so many beaches to explore, you could visit a new one every day. Check tide levels, and you could explore the same one at different times for a new experience.

Make it a healing experience: Take your shoes off, feel the sand on your feet and hands, and touch the water. Look at the crab holes in the sand, watch for dolphins or whales, and look at the ships. Find a jetty where boats come in and look for stingrays or pelicans. Get there for sunrise, watch in wonder the colours in the clouds and sky, and feel the sun’s warmth on your skin. Be present and mindful, slow down and allow your nervous system to reset. Many beaches even let you bring your fur baby.

After more family-friendly beach inspiration? Read our Best Beaches & Swimming Spots Wollongong, Illawarra and South Coast here

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 inspiration!

Check out these articles below for more ideas on things to do and places to see in Wollongong or the Illawarra (and surrounds):

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.