Top 10 + things to do with Kids in Wollongong & the Illawarra!
Discover the best things to do in Wollongong & South Coast NSW with kids. Whether you are local or visiting, Parent’s Guide Illawarra helps you 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.
Hangdog Indoor Climbing Gym
Want to climb to the top, race your friends, and try something awesome? At Hangdog Climbing Gym, there’s a whole world of fun waiting for kids — with towering walls, cool climbing challenges, and even no-rope bouldering! Whether they’re a first-timer or a little monkey on the move, Hangdog have got climbs made just for them. Come with your family, join a school holiday workshop, or be part of their fun climbing squads. So grab your water bottle, bring your energy, and get ready to climb, laugh, and explore!
Revolution Laser Arena – now with NEW VR Arcade Experience!
The Best Laser Tag Experience in Town Just Got an Upgrade! Looking for something exciting, active, and a little out of the ordinary? Revolution Laser Arena delivers heart-pounding laser tag action and now features our brand new VR Arcade + Escape Rooms for the ultimate adrenaline-packed experience!
- Intense, high-energy laser tag battles
- Private party and event spaces available
- All-new VR experiences – battle zombies, solve escape room puzzles, or explore space! Use code PGVR2025 to get 20% OFF your first VR Arcade or Escape Room booking!
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.
Adventurers of all ages are invited to bring along their friends and family for a tree-mendous birthday treat! Lock in hair-raising, adrenaline-pumping fun as your group tackles obstacles high amongst the treetops. A perfect way to create some special memories as you reach new heights together.
Tabatinga Dapto
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!
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.
Science Space Wollongong
Science Space – hands on learning and FUN!
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.
Flip Out Albion Park
Flip Out in Albion Park, just 15 min South of Wollongong, is a wonderful indoor trampoline park and 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.
Bundanon
Bundanon is a multifaceted destination with something for ALL ages and so much to do for families. It includes an art museum integrated into the natural landscape and a wildlife sanctuary sprawling over 1000 hectares. The diverse range of experiences available at this South Coast art destination ensures that each visitor’s experience will be unique and memorable. They run regular Family Fun Days, FREE Art Workshops for kids & teens, School Holiday events FREE Bundanon Mini art program for preschoolers, guided family bushwalks and so much more! Plan your visit now here.
Northern Bowl, Bellambi
Northern Bowl in Bellambi is THE Illawarra’s cool & iconic bowling alley and local family entertainment centre with arcade games and cafe on site. And in our opinion, makes for a pretty cool, relaxed and fun way to kick back and hang with the kids after school, the weekend and perfect for a rainy day!
They also offer:
- CHEAP TUESDAY Bowling $10 sessions
- Would your teen like to give league bowling a go? Now’s their chance to give it a try on Thursday nights. Stop by anytime 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 Sip Studio Wollongong
The Sip Studio is famous for its adult Paint & Sip sessions – but did you know they have a wide range of kids painting classes right here in Wollongong?
Their exciting art lessons are designed to inspire little artists and help them explore their imaginations while learning new skills for Primary & High School classes, Tuesday – Thursday. Creative vouchers accepted and all art material supplied, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess at home.
Small groups for one on one attention, learn painting techniques, sketching & oil pastels. Find out more here.
Sharky’s Play, Northern Bowl Bellambi
Sharky’s Play, Northern Bowl Bellambi: Delight your child in a sensory “under the sea” experience, with sea critters and creatures. The multi-level playcentre features a separate toddler play area and big kids play area (3+ years) with slides, obstacles, mazes and more! The facility includes a seated area and cafe. They also host Kids Parties too.
Shellharbour Wild / Jervis Bay Wild
You and your 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
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
Best free things to do with kids in Wollongong! Go exploring in nature! 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
Australia’s only children’s 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.
Best Bush Walks for Family’s
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
Best Beaches & Rockpools for Family’s
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):
- 10 BEST Playgrounds in Wollongong, Shellharbour & Shoalhaven areas
- Best Gated Playgrounds in the Illawarra!
- Best Toddler-friendly Playgrounds in Wollongong and the Illawarra
- Best babies, toddlers, school-aged and teen classes / after-school activities
- What to do in Wollongong with a baby. New Parents Guide to The Illawarra
- What to do in Wollongong with toddlers. Illawarra’s best kids’ activities
- Click here for ideas on Illawarra outings you could do with your family to have quality family time
- 10 Family Friendly Cycle Rides in Wollongong. Best Bike Tracks in the Illawarra
- 5 Fantastic Family Adventures in the Illawarra
- Beautiful and free ways for families to enjoy the cooler weather in the Illawarra
- Best gated playgrounds in the Illawarra!
- Best Family Day Trips from the Illawarra. Get Inspired!
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.
