34 Things to do with Teenagers in Sydney

Finding things to do with teenagers in Sydney can be a full time job, especially when they constantly say ‘That’s boring!’. Well parents, stop googling ‘activities for teens near me’ and read on and see what we have in store for them. We have a whole list of fun activities for teens that we know they will love.

Sydney is full of activities for teenagers. In addition to an amazing city, there are perfect beaches, a heap of indoor activity options and a ton of school holiday activities for teens. Plus, we know where to get the best and discounted tickets to a truckload of things to do when bored for teens.

Weather a party, school holiday or rainy day activity, there is something for everyone in this list.

Take a look at our list of activities for teens. No matter the weather (or the mood of your kid!) there are fun things for teens to do every day of the week. So parents, sit back and relax as we have teens activities in Sydney sorted!

In this article we have divided up this list of things to do with teenagers into sections to help you find the most suitable teens activities:

Activities for younger teens in Sydney

Ready to kick you teens outdoors for a while? Look no further than the list of outdoor activities for teens we have compiled. Melbourne is literally a playground of fun activities for teens. From adrenaline junky activities to relaxing days out, we have something that is sure to make your fussy kid happy, including free teen activities!

1. WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo

Teen enjoying the reptiles at Wildlife Zoo

Spend a day seeing some iconic Australian animals without leaving Sydney. Located in the heart of Darling Harbour, The WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo allows you to get up close with some of Australia’s most renowned creatures. Afterward, grab a coffee (and ice cream for the teens) and wander Darling Harbour.

Find out more about the zoo here and get tickets before you go.

2. Western Sydney Treetop Adventure Park

Head into the trees for some fun and adventure, featuring flying foxes, zip lines & more at TreeTop Adventure Park Sydney! Located in the forests of the Western Sydney Parklands, this fun outdoor attraction allows teens to harness themselves up and ascend to the treetops to take part in an array of courses, zipping, climbing and flying from one point to the next.

Check out the park online or purchase tickets.

3. Sydney Tower Eye

Teen enjoying the view at Sydney Tower Eye

If you have a bored teen, take them to see Sydney from the sky (almost!). The Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in Sydney and takes you to the highest point for breathtaking 360-degree views of the beautiful harbour city. With views to 100km away, your kids will be awestruck.

4. Taronga Zoo

This famous zoo is always an epic day out. Start out with a short ferry ride from the city before spending the day with more than 4,000 animals from across the world. Plus, there is a high ropes course that teens will love. Those who love animals can also participate in the Cadet Keepers program. Perfect for those considering a career with animals.

Click here to find out more or purchase tickets online.

5. Symbio Wildlife (and Splash) Park

Grab your backpack and swimmers and let the teens run loose at Symbio Wildlife Park. Home to exotic animals and a waterpark this is the perfect combinations to give your teens the freedom to roam and explore. Even better, get their friends to meet them there and they can enjoy the day together. This is a fun thing to do in summer for teens.

Click here for the website and you can purchase tickets here.

6. SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

Someone enjoying the penguins at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

If your teens loves the ocean, they are in for a fantastic day at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Home to over 13,000 aquatic animals in over 90 tanks, there really is something for everyone. Do they dare to walk among predators in Shark Valley? See sharks like the Grey Nurse up close! Those a little less adventurous can spend time with penguins and turtles.

Find out more on the website and get tickets online.

7. Madame Tussauds

This unique museum is home to finely-crafted representations of some of Earth’s most famous figures – both past and present. Musicians, celebrities, sporting stars and celebrities have been immortalised in wax for all to enjoy. Teens can also walk through the chamber of horrors or take a look at replicas of the crown jewels. Easily accessible via public transport this is a fun thing to do with friends for teens.

Visit the website then skip the queue and get tickets before you go.

Activities for older teens in Sydney

These are the best activities for older teens in Sydney.

8. Luna Park

Luna Park is the ultimate theme park. This iconic waterfront theme park offers rides to thrill teens and some awesome Instagram worthy shots (and we know they love those!). For those less adventurous, simply stroll through this historic park and enjoy the views of Sydney.

Read up on this historic theme park

9. Oz JetBoating

Experience thrills and excitement on the beautiful Sydney Harbour with Oz Jetboating. Easily accessed via Circular Key in the heart of the city, this famous red shark boat will have teens on the edge of their seat during this 30 minute ‘hot lap’ ride of Sydney Harbour. A fun thing to do with friends for teens and they will come back loving you for sending them!

Take a look at the boat online or get tickets here.

10. Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is well known to most, but how many have actually climbed it? Add your teen to the list with one of the four experiences available. Climb up to more than 1600 steps and have their photo taken at the top (or maybe with you too if they let you come!). Definitely a memorable moment and a great holiday activity for teenagers.

Find out more about Bridgeclimb and get your tickets for a day climb here.

11. Surf lessons

Bondi Beach is an iconic surfing destination and is perfect for teens who want to take up a new sport. Surfing is sure to elevate their level of coolness and is a fun summer activity for teenagers. Plus, it is great way to improve their fitness, strength and confidence.

Find out more about learning to surf at Bondi.

12. Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures

Glenworth Valley specialise in spending time outdoors. Horse riding, quad biking, abseiling, kayaking and laser skirmish are some of the fun things teens can do. Just an hour outside the city set in beautiful natural scenery, this is a great day out and even better if your teen lets you go with them!

Read up on what’s available at Glenworth.

13. iFLY

Get their adrenalin pumping these school holidays by doing some indoor skydiving! iFLY lets you re-enact the experience of a skydive from 14,000 from the 360° glass tunnel. The glass tunnel also means that friends can come along and watch – and get the ultimate photo.

Take a look online or purchase tickets here.

14. The Ledge Climbing Centre at Sydney Uni

Indoor rock climbing is a fun activity and is great for fitness! If you are looking for rainy day activity for teenagers then bring them to the Ledge Climbing Centre at Sydney Uni. This facility is great for both experienced and beginner climbers with helpful staff always on hand. With state of the art climbing walls, your teen will develop a love for rock climbing.

Get climbing today.

15. Sydney Opera House

Teen having a blast at Sydney Opera House

This iconic landmark is a must see for teens (and parents!) who love culture. Home of music, shows and performances and set on the spectacular Sydney Harbour, teens will be awed and inspired. Take a tour for a behind the scenes look under the Opera House sails and then treat them to morning tea (while you enjoy a coffee) at one of the many restaurants or market food hall. A great activity to do with your teenager.

Find out more on the website or purchase a tour ticket here.

16. Virtual Room Sydney

Combine virtual reality AND an escape room and you have the ultimate teenage day out. Played in pairs or groups, teens can enjoy virtual reality while collaborating to solve a puzzle. This is a fun group activity for teenagers that they will be talking about for weeks to come. Centrally located in the city centre this is a unique and futuristic experience.

Find out more here or buy tickets.

17. Q Station Ghost Tour

This spooky ghost tour is a fun activity for young adults. Teens over 15 years can enjoy a tour of potentially one of Australia’s most haunted sites. Grab a lantern and here the stories of the spirits who linger. Day and night tours are available and range in length.

Take a look at the website for more info.

18. Zero Latency

Rainy day activities for teenagers don’t have to be boring – Zero Latency makes sure of it! Featuring wireless virtual reality gaming teenagers can roam free through virtual universes. Using the latest virtual reality technology this is truly one of the cool things for teens to do in Sydney.

Click here to read up on Zero Latency.

19. Extreme Go Karting

Get their adrenalin pumping at this indoor go karting venue. With a 500m long track, your teen is going to be beyond excited to get behind the wheel. Plus, the track configuration changes on the weekend so heading back for another ride then will give them a whole new experience. If you are bringing smaller kids, there are also junior karts for them to enjoy while their older siblings race in the bigger karts. Excitement plus!

Find out more online.

There are so many things to do with teenage kids in Sydney that we could go on forever. Instead, make sure you take a look at all the others here (and get your tickets in the same place!)

20. Desire Books and Records

Desire Books and Records is brimming with literary gems and records, and is the perfect place for all bookworms, both young and old. The owner collects the items from OP shops while touring throughout the country as a stand up comedian. The atmosphere in here is that of a fairytale nook- quirky and whimsical. With a wide collection of both novels and vinyl records, and reasonable prices, there’s something in here for everyone. We particularly enjoyed their diverse classics collection. You could spend hours rummaging through the books there, whether alone or with friends. We went there recently, and I had to literally be dragged out.

For more information, check out the Desire Books and Records website.

Address: 3/3 Whistler St, Manly NSW 2095

21. Surfing at Manly Beach

Manly Beach, pulsating with energy, beckons teenagers who crave an adrenaline-filled adventure. At the renowned Manly Surf School, they can embark on an epic journey of wave mastery. With skilled instructors guiding them and top-of-the-line equipment at their disposal, teenagers can unleash their inner thrill-seekers and conquer the mighty waves. No longer confined to a “lame” existence, they can embrace the exhilaration of riding the surf like true champions. Manly Beach and its dynamic surf school offer the perfect setting for teenagers to engage in a vibrant and electrifying activity, igniting their passion for adventure and leaving them craving for more.

Check out the Manly Surf School website to find out more about their surfing lessons.

Address: Manly Beach, Manly

22. Go see the Manly penguins

Sydney’s North Harbour houses a hidden little penguin colony known since the 1940s and 50s. These penguins breed on various island sites in New South Wales, including Lion Island and Five Islands, representing the sole breeding colony on the NSW mainland. Foraging for food along the Sydney coast, they can be spotted near Bondi, Botany Bay, Mosman, Narrabeen, and Vaucluse.

Returning to Manly between May and February to breed, they seek refuge in their burrows at sunset to evade predators. While not as abundant as Phillip Island, sightings of these penguins in their natural habitat are not always guaranteed. Remember to avoid using flash photography if you do spot them. You can also visit SEALIFE Sydney Aquarium and Taronga Zoo for penguin encounters. Feel free to engage with National Parks and Wildlife Service Volunteer Penguin Wardens to learn more about these fascinating creatures.

Find out more about the most adorable penguins here.

23. Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Engage in an exhilarating adventure with your teenagers by walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Conquer its towering arches and suspension cables while soaking in the awe-inspiring views of the cityscape, Sydney Harbour, and the iconic Opera House. This active experience will leave you with unforgettable memories of exploring Sydney’s beauty.

After you’ve walked the bridge we recommend grabbing a bubble tea from Cha-Time. You can sign up to their loyalty app and grab 50% off your first drink! Check out all the deals you can grab from loyalty programs here.

Get Out With Kids tip: On the way up to the bridge, don’t make the same mistake we did; there are lifts on both sides of the bridge, to save you taking the stairs.

24. Visit Lightscape in the Sydney Botanical Gardens

Lightscape in Sydney is arguably one of the coolest things you can take a teen to at the moment in Sydney! Running until the 16th of July, Lightscape in the botanical gardens brings lights, sounds and colours all to the stage at the same time. With massive neon flowers, LED light archways and tree canopies filled with colour, we cannot recommend this enough!

The entrance to Lightscape is just outside the Opera house, and it’s roughly 2km to complete the trail.

Find out more about Lightscape Sydney here.

Fun things to do at home for teens

When your kids can’t get out and about, finding activities for teens at home can become a full time job. Because we know everyone is different, we have compiled a heap of entertaining and interesting activities, including art ideas for teens. This list of stuff to do for teens to do at home is about to elevate your level of parental coolness!

25. How to draw cool things drawing guide

Looking for art activities for teens? Learn to draw cool stuff with this awesome book ‘How to draw cool things’. It contains step-by-step instructions that will suit even a very beginner. Optical illusions, 3D letters, cartoons are just some of the things they can learn to draw.

Get your drawing guide here.

26. Be a rubber band engineer

Got teens that love to tinker? This book will teach them (step-by-step) to create their very own rubber band launchers and gadgets. You will never believe what they can make with just a rubber band and the ideas between the pages. Plus, it will keep them out of your hair!

Find out how here.

27. Get procrastibaking

Tired of looking for outside activities for teenagers? Then send them into the kitchen to have some fun. Not only will they love these recipes, but they will (hopefully!) end up with something delicious to show for it. Filled with 100 non-boring recipes, there is sure to be something they want to make.

Buy the book and get started.

28. Non boring board games

Put away the boring board games for teenagers and take a look at these. Challenging, creative, hilarious or even straight up ridiculous, these games will have them putting down their devices and actually enjoying themselves. It even includes some team building games for teens.

Get playing with these board games.

29. Learn how to ride a hoverboard

If they want to impress, encourage your kids to learn how to ride a hoverboard. Imagine showing up to school or sport on one of these. It even has built in speakers, so they don’t even have to turn off their music to ride. Ride into the future on one of these hoverboards.

Purchase a hoverboard here.

30. An escape room in a book

Get involved in a mystery without even leaving the comfort of home with this unique book. With just 60 minutes to escape from a labyrinth, you must take on the challenges, solve mysteries and clues to finish the book. Perfect to entertain teens that love to read or those that love a good mystery.

Find out if you can escape.

31. Put your time to good use

With a lot of time to kill during school holidays, reading any of these books is a great way for teens to learn how to put their time to good use. This selection includes books on becoming more efficient, techniques to increase their level of happiness and even confidence building books like ‘What’s my super power’. Perfect for those that are looking to learn more about themselves or just read a good book on a rainy day.

Check out this selection of books on highly effective teens.

32. Master a remote controlled car

Take a look at this selection of the latest, greatest and quirkiest of remote control cars and vehicles. Racing cars, 4WD’s, mini coopers and heavy machinery vehicles are just some of the vehicles you can control. You can even build your own from Lego! Some can even be used on grass so your teen can take them (and themselves!) outside for a bit.

Choose your vehicle here.

33. Fun things to do when stuck at home

Finding fun things for teens to do at home doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, this book makes it easy and interesting in a quirky way. This book is full of things for teens to do when bored.

Read up on things for teens to do here.

34. Fly a drone

What could be cooler than spending a day flying a drone! Teens will love getting off the couch to spend time in the backyard when they have a drone to play with. From a basic model to something much more sophisticated (some with handheld screens), teens will be sure to find a drone that is cool enough for them.

Purchase a drone here.

Fun activities for teens in Sydney

While it can be almost impossible to find things to do for teens that they will 100% love, we think our activities for teenagers to do is pretty impressive, and not at all lame! Try it out with your teenager and let us know what they think. We are quietly confident!