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Luna Park has been a harbourside icon and favourite with Sydney children since the 1930s. Modelled on New York’s Coney Island, this amusement park on the North Shore (see Milsons Point), beside the Harbour Bridge, reopened in 2004 following major renovations. Enter through the 9-m (29.5-ft) clown face to enjoy classics such as the dodgems and the carousel, and newer attractions such as the UFO.

The National Maritime Museum runs Kids’ Deck, a programme of events for children aged 2 to 10. With events often linked to current exhibitions, kids might build their own harbourscapes or dress up as naval officers. There are also regular activity sessions, storytimes for preschoolers on Mondays and Mini Mariners sessions on Thursdays.

The Art Gallery of New South Wales has an extensive program of events for children of all ages. School holidays are peak times with special performances and workshops. There are kids’ art classes once a month and Fundays on most Sundays, at 2:30pm, at which your children might find themselves giggling at a mime artist or discovering Aboriginal art and culture.

The eight-storey-high screen and 15,000 watt digital surround sound system will have your kids pinned to their seats, or jumping out of them, as the case may be. This Darling Harbour icon with the distinctive black-and-yellow chequerboard façade presents 2D and IMAX 3D films. State-of-the-art electronic headsets with infrared sensors have replaced the quaint 1950s cardboard glasses that parents might recall from their youth.

Circus Oz mixes social commentary with satire, rock and roll, acrobatics and comedy to deliver performances that live up to their credo: Community, Diversity, Humanity, Hilarity. They are a travelling troupe but perform at Sydney’s Moore Park in January and February. Check out their website for performance dates.

This parkland has two main attractions for kids: a designated cycle path near Alison Road, and the Equestrian Centre on Lang and Robertson Roads (see Horseriding). The Centre runs tours for children and conducts hand-held pony rides. Centennial Park Cycles rent bikes and helmets for younger riders.

This excellent program at the Sydney Opera House introduces children to the world of performance art. The Babies and Family proms acquaint kids aged two to nine with musical forms, often through interactive performances. Older children can enjoy Australian and international theatre at venues such as The Studio.

Children under five who fancy some downtime can attend Preschool Storytime sessions at the Balmain Library.

One of the best spots to drop a line is at the Ives Steps Wharf, just under the Sydney Harbour Bridge west of Dawes Point Park. This is a popular haunt for chatty older anglers who are happy to share their knowledge with children. A store, Gowings, sells bait and tackle.

The Australian Museum is just the place for those parents with Jurassic-obsessed youngsters. The museum conducts tours of the museum and runs special events, workshops and activities for children on weekends and school holidays. Kids might take part in a “mini dinosaur dig,” climb into a hot air balloon, learn how to create their own fossil cast, or enjoy the interactive Kids’ Island.