Top tips for a stress-free day at the Easter Show

With an interplay of Instagram-worthy and traditional Aussie eats, impressive rides, live entertainment, and adorable barnyard friends – it’s easy to see why families flock to the Sydney Royal Easter Show each year.

The popularity of the Show draws in daily crowds in the tens of thousands, and covers around 30 hectares, which is the equivalent to 45 rugby fields. So, for families with high-energy toddlers and young children, a big day out can be an exciting, but overwhelming experience. We spoke to a few parents about their top tips for a fun, stress-free day, that enables some respite.

1. Pre-book your parking

If you’re planning on driving to the Show, Mumfluencer, Elizabeth Rees recommends securing your parking in advance, “there are limited spots and they sell-out quick”, she says.


2. Download the App

Rees also recommends planning ahead with the App. Download the Easter Show Fun Pass 2026 App, to easily purchase ride credits and plan your day. This means you can scope out your day before you arrive, for a more seamless experience.


3. Pack snacks

Dad of two, Marcus Liew recommends coming prepared with a few easy snacks to enjoy in a quiet space to keep energy levels and moods steady. “Pack a lot of snacks and find shade” to mitigate any meltdowns, says Liew.


4. Hire strollers and wrist bands to track your child

Ease the burden of piling up the car with the kitchen sink by hiring wheels at the Show and purchase wrist bands for the little ones, to give you some peace of mind while navigating the showgrounds. Rees says, “once you’re in, you can actually hire strollers and wristbands to track your child so they don’t get lost”.


5. Get your Showbags first

Make sure you get your show bags first and keep them in lockers because by the afternoon, the lines are huge. “You can also access the area via the back as there’s less crowds,” says Rees.


6. Go to the Petting Zoo early

The indoor petting zoo is one of the most popular attractions, so schedule that as one of your morning activities and arrive early to combat the large crowds.


7. Take your toddlers to Jamison Station

If you have a toddler with no off-switch, who wants to explore everything on-foot, then Jamison station offers an outdoor space where little ones can roam freely, without the crowds, meaning parents can enjoy a slower pace.

The area offers experiences including; an outdoor petting zoo, pony rides, tractor rides, a maze made of hay bales to run and climb and cow milking.

Mum of two, Gemma Schrumpf says “Jamison Station has probably been the biggest hit so far, and it has probably been the nicest part for us as parents too, because the kids have been able to run around in a nice and safe environment without us having to really worry about what they’re doing or disappearing”.


8. Check out the Home and Lifestyle Pavilion for sensory activities

If you’re feeling touched out and want to remove yourself for some quiet time, away from the bright lights and sea of people pouring through the streets, the Home & Lifestyle Pavillion offers interactive activities and hobby stalls.

It’s also a great option to shelter from the rain or the heat. Rees says “the whole show is quite overstimulating, but there’s a little area in the Lifestyle Pavillion that I found quite calm with sensory activities like playdough, kinesthetic sand, and even Roblox on iPads”.


9. Maximise the Parents’ Room

Rees also shared that if you and your children need to use the toilet, take advantage of the parent’s room instead of the standard bathrooms, to avoid large queues. Teh toilets in the parents’ room are also much cleaner.