The North Shore is one of Sydney's strongest areas for structured free kids' activities. North Sydney Council in particular runs an impressive events program — well over 100 events per month — and the library network across Willoughby, Lane Cove, and Ku-ring-gai adds significant depth. For STEM-inclined kids, some of the best free robotics and coding sessions in Sydney run here.
North Sydney Council
North Sydney Council runs one of Sydney's most active children's event programs, anchored by Stanton Library and supplemented by regular sessions at the North Sydney Council Civic Centre and surrounding community venues.
Stanton Library
Stanton Library (Miller Street, North Sydney) is the hub of the council's children's program. Regular sessions include:
- Storytime (ages 3–5): Weekly drop-in sessions throughout the year. No booking required.
- Baby Bounce / Rhymetime (ages 0–2): Songs, rhymes, and sensory play for babies and toddlers.
- STEM and maker workshops: Stanton runs periodic coding and maker sessions for school-age children — one of the stronger library STEM offerings on the North Shore.
- School holiday programs: Holiday programs at Stanton cover art, craft, science, and performance. Booking required; fill quickly.
North Sydney Council events span a wide range of venues — the council's website and Little Rascal's listings both pull from the full events calendar, not just library programs.
Browse all North Shore kids' activities →
Willoughby City Council
Willoughby covers Chatswood, Artarmon, Naremburn, and surrounds. The Chatswood area is well-served for children's activities:
Chatswood Library
Chatswood Library runs regular Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time sessions for under-5s. The Chatswood CBD location makes it easy to pair with a weekday morning trip.
Concord Oval / Community Centres
Willoughby Council runs occasional free children's workshops at community centres across the LGA, particularly during school holidays. Check Little Rascal's listings for current programs.
Lane Cove Council
Lane Cove is a smaller LGA but runs a consistent children's library program at Lane Cove Library. Storytime and Baby Bounce sessions run weekly. The Lane Cove National Park borders the LGA and provides excellent free outdoor space for families with older children.
Ku-ring-gai Council
Ku-ring-gai covers Gordon, Pymble, Turramurra, Killara, and St Ives. The Ku-ring-gai library network (Turramurra, Gordon, St Ives, Pymble) runs Storytime and children's programs across all branches. The St Ives branch runs particularly well-attended holiday programs.
Parks Worth Knowing
Tunks Park (Cammeray) — Large open park with playground, walking tracks, and open lawns. Good for all ages, less crowded than the CBD parks.
Balls Head Reserve (Waverton) — Heritage bushland with harbour views. Suited to older kids who can walk independently; not fenced.
Lane Cove National Park — Free entry. Walking trails, picnic areas, and the Lane Cove River for kayaking. Closest to the Lane Cove and Willoughby suburbs.
Primrose Park (Cremorne) — Small, fully fenced playground near the harbour. Excellent for toddlers.
Tips for North Shore Families
- Stanton Library programs book fast. North Sydney Council has a well-engaged community and STEM sessions in particular fill within 24–48 hours of opening. Check Little Rascal regularly around school holidays.
- Ku-ring-gai library branches are spread out. If you're in St Ives, the St Ives branch is the best option. Pymble and Gordon cover the middle suburbs. The Turramurra branch serves the upper north.
- Westfield Chatswood occasionally runs free holiday activities for children. Little Rascal includes these in North Shore listings when they're added to the Westfield events feed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free kids' activities in North Sydney?
Stanton Library runs the most consistent free kids' program in the area — Storytime, Baby Bounce, and school holiday workshops year-round. North Sydney Council also runs programs at community venues across the LGA.
Are there free STEM programs for kids on the North Shore?
Yes. Stanton Library (North Sydney) runs STEM and maker sessions for school-age children. These require booking. Check Little Rascal for current dates.
What toddler programs run on the North Shore?
Baby Bounce and Rhymetime sessions run at Stanton Library (North Sydney), Chatswood Library, Lane Cove Library, and multiple Ku-ring-gai branches. Most are free and drop-in.
What are the best parks for kids on the North Shore?
Tunks Park in Cammeray and Primrose Park in Cremorne are the standouts for young children (good playgrounds, manageable scale). Lane Cove National Park is better for older kids who can walk.
See All North Shore Events
Little Rascal lists free and paid kids' activities across North Sydney, Chatswood, Lane Cove, Mosman and the North Shore — updated daily.