Make a list of things to find or photograph (a certain leaf, something red, a bug, a cloud shaped like something). Split into teams or go together, taking turns being "team captain" and calling out clues. Works at home, a local park, or even along a bushwalk. 

Each week a different family member picks the game (board game, cards, charades, or something homemade like a trivia quiz about your own family). Giving each person a turn to be in charge tends to get real buy-in, even from the reluctant ones. 

Pick something simple with a few hands-on steps — pizza where everyone adds their own toppings, or a batch of biscuits/dumplings. Give each person a job suited to their age (mixing, decorating, setting the table), and end with a shared meal rather than just an activity that wraps up and gets forgotten. 

Widely rated as the best free playground in Sydney, with three hectares of equipment including a 12-metre treehouse, double flying foxes, tunnel slides, and the largest outdoor water play area in NSW. Bring towels and a spare change of clothes since kids tend to get soaked. There are free BBQ facilities nearby for when you can't be bothered cooking, and if you go on a weekend, parking is a flat $15 rather than the weekday rate 

Described as sheltered and shallow, with grassy areas nearby, making it one of the best family beaches in Sydney. Calm water is great for younger kids, and there's plenty of grass for a picnic afterward. 

Right on the harbour, and exhibitions are free for under-18s, members, and Australian students, with tours, a dedicated family space, and online resources for visitors of all ages. It's an easy 5 minute walk from Circular Quay station, so easy to combine with a walk around the harbour or Opera House. 

Just an hour north of Sydney, the Central Coast is a favourite Inner West family destination, with all-year-round attractions like animal parks and adventure playgrounds and family-friendly towns. The Australian Reptile Park in Gosford lets kids get up close to over 2,000 native animals. Nearby, Patonga Beach and Pearl Beach are beautiful, and you can even take a ferry from Palm Beach across to Patonga, with a campground right on the water if you ever want to stay over. 

About 1.5 to 2 hours from Sydney via the M4, well signposted once you leave the motorway, or reachable by train from Central to Katoomba in around 2 hours. Younger kids love Scenic World, while older kids and teens can handle the longer walks, with spring and autumn the best times to avoid summer heat and school holiday crowds. 

Heading south to Stanwell Tops and the Grand Pacific Drive is a great day out for families, with Symbio Wildlife Park a highlight kids will love, followed by a swim at Cronulla beaches or a stop at the Loftus Tram Museum. Wollongong is an underrated option too, with the drive along the coast over the Sea Cliff Bridge, plus stops at Sri Venkateswara Temple and Kelly's Falls.