Parramatta has a reputation as a transport hub and business district, but if you have kids under 12, it's quietly one of the best-resourced free activity destinations in greater Sydney. Eight library branches, a world-class civic venue, Parramatta Park, and a council that genuinely invests in early childhood programming — all at no cost.
Here's what's on in 2026 and where to find it.
PHIVE: the headline venue
PHIVE at 5 Parramatta Square is a striking civic building that doubles as the city's main family activity hub. The ground floor hosts free drop-in sessions throughout the week, and the library inside runs its own program.
What's currently running:
- Kinder Gym (Term 2 2026, ages 0–5) — a structured movement session for babies and toddlers, popular enough that bookings fill quickly
- Mums & Bubs Wiggle, Jiggle & Grow (ages 6 months – 4 years) — song, movement and social time for caregivers and little ones
- Messy Sensory Play for Babies (ages 0–1) — paint, water, textures; everything you'd rather not do on your kitchen floor
- After School TaeKwonDo (ages 7–12) — free martial arts after school, no experience needed
- Animals on Country Storytime (ages 4+) — an Indigenous-led storytime program at the PHIVE library
PHIVE also hosts Riverside Live performances — children's shows rotate throughout the year including Where is the Green Sheep? and family theatre productions at the adjacent Riverside Theatres.
The library network: better than you think
City of Parramatta has eight library branches — Parramatta, Carlingford, Constitution Hill, Dundas, Epping, Ermington, Wentworth Point, and the community library at Yarra — and each runs a surprisingly ambitious program of free children's events. These aren't just storytimes.
STEM and technology
The standout program across the network is ABii Robot Tutoring — an AI-powered robot tutor that works one-on-one with children on literacy and numeracy skills. Sessions run for ages 3–6 and 6–11 separately, at Carlingford, Constitution Hill, Epping, Parramatta, and Wentworth Point libraries. Free, bookable, and genuinely unlike anything else you'll find for this age group.
Other technology programs running across branches:
- 3D Printing intro sessions — Constitution Hill, Epping, Ermington, Parramatta, Dundas, Wentworth Point
- Drone Discovery — Wentworth Point (drones inside a library — yes, really)
- Kubo and Fable Robotics — hands-on coding with physical robots, Carlingford and Wentworth Point
- Hummingbird Robotics and VR Experience — Wentworth Point
- Python Club (ages 9–13) — beginner coding, Epping and Parramatta
- 3D Pen Drop-in — Dundas (no booking needed)
Science and making
Science show programs rotate through branches — look for Balloon Science: Fun with Forces, Mix it Up: Chemistry Show, Big Science Show, and Blast off to Science Week in the current term schedule. These are typically run by external presenters and get booked out fast.
Maker Morning and Crafty Kids Club at Dundas, and Messy Makers at Wentworth Point (ages 0–5), are less structured making sessions — good for younger kids who aren't ready for robot programming.
Early literacy and storytime
Every branch runs age-appropriate storytime programs:
- Teddy Bear Storytime — Carlingford, Constitution Hill, Epping, Parramatta
- Book an Adventure (ages 3–8) — a reading and activity program across all branches
- Bilingual Story Time: Sinhalese & English — Epping Library (reflecting the area's Sri Lankan community)
- Science Week Storytime — a hybrid story-plus-experiment format running through August
Arts and culture
- DIY Library Bag Workshop — Carlingford
- Aboriginal Cultural Immersion Workshop (ages 3–15) — Epping and Ermington during NAIDOC Week
- Design to Print: 3D Modelling with Onshape — Wentworth Point (ages secondary school)
- After School Visual Arts: Brush and Pencil Studio (ages 7–12) — Wentworth Point
- LEGO Builders (Hogwarts Castle and Hogwarts Express) — Wentworth Point
- Dance Party at the Library (ages 3+) — Wentworth Point
Browse all Parramatta library events →
Yarra Community Centre
The Yarra Community Centre in Rydalmere runs the same Mums & Bubs Wiggle, Jiggle & Grow program as PHIVE, along with its own Messy Sensory Play for Babies sessions. If you're in the eastern end of the Parramatta LGA, this is closer than heading into the CBD.
Parramatta Park: outdoor and nature
Parramatta Park is 85 hectares of parkland a short walk from the CBD, and the council runs several free programs within it.
- Bush School at The Dairy (ages 3–5) — nature-based play in a genuine bush setting, based at the historic Dairy Precinct inside the park. Limited numbers, books out quickly.
- Get into Nature (all ages, Lake Parramatta lawn) — an informal outdoor program connected to the lake reserve
- Parramatta Farmers Market at Centenary Square — not a kids activity per se, but good for a Saturday outing with little ones
Good to know
Booking: Most library programs require a booking through the City of Parramatta website or Eventbrite. Technology sessions (robots, drones, 3D printing) are particularly popular — book as soon as the term calendar opens, usually 3–4 weeks in advance.
Getting there: Parramatta station is a 5-minute walk from PHIVE. All library branches are serviced by local buses. Parking under PHIVE is paid; nearby council car parks are cheaper for longer sessions.
School holidays: The council significantly ramps up programming during NSW school holidays. If you're planning a holiday week in Parramatta, check the library events calendar in the fortnight before — sessions are added and fill quickly.
All of the above is free. No entry fees, no membership required.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a library card to attend events? No. Library events are open to all residents. A library card is only needed if you want to borrow books.
What ages are best served by Parramatta's programs? Parramatta has unusually strong programming for both very young children (0–5, through PHIVE and Yarra) and primary-school aged kids (6–12, through the STEM and technology library programs). The gap is roughly 5–7 year olds — the early school years are less well-served than either end.
Are school holiday programs different from term programs? Yes — the council runs specific holiday programs that are often more intensive (full-day workshops, special events). The term programs above are the weekly/fortnightly regulars.
Is PHIVE worth the trip if we're coming from outside Parramatta? Yes, for ages 0–5 especially. Kinder Gym and the sensory play programs are hard to replicate for free elsewhere in greater Sydney. Combine with a walk through Parramatta Park and lunch near Centenary Square for a full day out.
All events listed above are sourced live from City of Parramatta council listings. Browse what's on this week →