We took our kids to Bubble Planet Sydney to see if it actually lives up to the hype – or if it’s just another Instagram-heavy experience that looks better online than in real life.
A room full of giant balloons, a pool filled with plastic balls, an infinity room with glowing orbs, hanging VR pod chairs, a selfie room where all you need to do is insert yourself into the props and much more. I was invited to check out Sydney’s Bubble Planet: An Immersive Experience – so I jumped at the excuse for a weekend in Sydney with the kids. Especially since I had also been wanting to check out Immersive GameBox Sydney ever since writing a news piece on it well over 12 months ago. More on that one soon.
But let’s get into this Bubble Planet Sydney review – is it worth the hype, or is it just Instagram bait?
Is Bubble Planet Sydney worth it? (quick answer)
Yes – especially for kids aged 3–13. It’s fun, interactive and great for a rainy day, but some rooms feel repetitive and the VR experience isn’t worth the extra cost.
What is Bubble Planet Sydney?
Bubble Planet is an immersive sensory experience made up of 10 or so themed rooms. You walk through at your own pace, and each room has a theme that ties in with the overarching ‘bubble’ theme. It’s been likened to teamLab in Tokyo, Japan, which we had recently visited early this year, so we were pretty keen to see how it compared.
The rooms at Bubble Planet Sydney are very hands-on and sensory (ideal for families with kids) and have already wowed millions of visitors in other cities like Milan, London, LA and Brussels. With the experience now also recreated at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park, it’s Sydney’s turn to shine!
Our Bubble Planet Sydney review: what we loved (and what could be better)
In general, Bubble Planet Sydney is a fun experience with kids and is well suited to both the young and young at heart. They’ve done a really good job at catering to families of all ages, with experiences older kids and adults will enjoy and experiences younger kids will enjoy.
Bubble Ocean
Bubble Ocean is a room chock-full of giant-sized balloons, so it’s basically either a massive balloon fight with the balloons being kicked and pushed in all directions, or it could turn into a lengthy game of keepy-uppy. Either way, it’s visually stunning with coloured lights and a whole lot of fun.
Grab a balloon on the way in and fill it up at the air station to take in with you if you wish. Although, there are plenty of balloons in this room, so you won’t miss out if you skip this part. This was one of our top three favourite rooms at Bubble Planet Sydney with kids. Honestly, who isn’t going to enjoy a room full of balloons (besides those with a latex allergy)?
Bubble Bath
The Bubble Bath also makes the top three, but is the kids’ favourite room by far. It’s basically a shallow pool filled with plastic bubbles in which a giant blow-up figure features, seemingly relaxing in its bubble path. Shoes come off and socks stay on for this experience, but unfortunately, you’re not allowed to jump in, and must enter the sensible way via the stairs.
It could quite possibly be the extra 10 kilograms I am carrying around and my very average level of fitness, but once you flop down into the ‘bubbles’, it’s surprisingly hard to get back up. So, unless you’ve got someone to help yank you back to your feet, you kinda have to reach down with your hands and push off the floor to stand up. Confess to your husband and kids that you can’t get up, and they are likely to just dump more plastic balls over your head to bury you deeper before actually helping. Don’t ask me how I know.
Selfie Rooms
This room is a fantastic opportunity for a fun family photo or three, and the only annoying thing about it is having to share it with other visitors and waiting your turn.
What else we loved at Bubble Planet Sydney with kids
I also loved the infinity room with its dangling bubbles and mirrored walls, but it feels like a straight-out copy of teamLab in Tokyo, but on a much smaller scale. Nevertheless, it’s still beautiful! I’d also like to give a shout-out to the Giant Bubble. From the outside, it reminded me a little of The Sphere in Nevada, which we got a birds-eye view of from our room at The Venetian in Las Vegas last year. Inside, you’ll find some beanbags to chill out on, some soothing music and a weird speaker set up that pretty much amplifies anything you say in there.
Younger kids will like the Sketch-and-Post station. Kids can colour in an underwater-themed picture, place it under the scanner, press an oversized button, and ta-dah – their artwork appears swimming around on the giant screen in front.
What could be better at Bubble Planet Sydney with kids
The VR room was a bit of a let-down. Visually, it’s pretty cool with hanging pod chairs, each with its own VR headset. The disappointment was from the VR itself, as we tried on four of them before finding one that worked, and when we did find one that worked, we couldn’t tighten it to fit the kids’ heads as the adjustment strap was already broken. I’m sure they will iron out these wrinkles as time goes on, but a lot of families already have VR at home, so they’ll need to come up with something super special to make the VR more appealing.
The VR experience isn’t included in the standard ticket and needs to be purchased as an addition upon arrival. Unless you’ve pre-booked a VIP ticket, then you’re all set!
Tips for families visiting Bubble Planet Sydney with kids
Best age: I’d say it’s perfect for kids aged 3–13. Younger toddlers will enjoy the visuals, but some rooms might be a bit overwhelming. Older kids and teenagers will probably skip over some things, but will enjoy the bubble ocean, bubble bath, selfie room and VR room, especially if they’ve got a friend or sibling to play with. Kids under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sensory considerations: A few rooms have loud sounds, flashing lights, and mirrors. Sensory-sensitive kids may find some parts a little intense, but you can move through at your own pace.
Timing: Obviously weekends and school holidays are likely to be busier but as that its just opened, time will tell when the best time to visit is.
What to wear: Comfortable clothes and pants. Some of the floors are mirrored (so floaty skirts might show off more than you bargained for) and you’ll be climbing, crawling and lounging in the ball pit pool (aka bubble bath). Socks must be worn inside the ball-pit pool.
Time needed: Allow around an hour to an hour-and-a-half.
Tickets, pricing & location (what you need to know)
Location:
Bubble Planet Sydney is located at Paddington Pavilion in Sydney Olympic Park.
Ticket prices:
- Free for children aged 2 years and under
- From $33.90 per adult (13+)
- From $26.90 for kids (3–12)
- From $30.90 for seniors, students, disabled or military
- VIP tickets from $45.90 (adult)
- Group bundles from $32.90 per person
Is Bubble Planet Sydney good value?
For younger kids, yes. They’ll easily spend an hour or more playing and exploring. For adults, it can feel a little pricey for the length of the experience, especially if you add extras like VR.
We recommend booking in advance, especially during school holidays, as sessions can sell out.
Who it’s best for/not for
Who Bubble Planet Sydney is best for:
- Kids aged 3–13
- Families looking for a fun indoor activity
- Rainy day or school holiday plans
Who might skip it:
- Teens wanting something more “thrilling”
- Families expecting a full-day experience
- Anyone not keen on crowds or waiting for photo ops
Is Bubble Planet Sydney worth it with kids?
Short answer: Yes – but it depends on your expectations.
As a Bubble Planet Sydney review, our take is this: If you’re looking for a fun, easy indoor activity that keeps the kids entertained for an hour or so, Bubble Planet Sydney is absolutely worth it. It’s colourful, interactive and one of those experiences where kids can just run around, play and be a bit silly. Which, honestly, is half the appeal.
For families with younger kids (roughly ages 3–13), it hits the mark really well. Our kids loved the Bubble Bath, the giant balloons in Bubble Ocean, and the hands-on elements throughout the experience.
That said, it’s not a full-day attraction, and if you’re expecting something on the same level as immersive experiences like teamLab in Japan, you might find it a little underwhelming in parts. Some rooms feel quite similar, and the VR add-on isn’t really worth the extra cost (at least for now).
Our verdict:
Bubble Planet Sydney is worth it for a fun, low-effort family outing (especially on a rainy day or during school holidays). But go in expecting a light, playful experience rather than something mind-blowing.
FAQs on Bubble Planet Sydney with kids
Toddlers will enjoy the bright colours and soft space, but some rooms may be a bit full-on. Keep them close and move through the rooms that suit them. You’ll need to keep hold of them in the ball-pit-pool (aka bubble bath) so you don’t lose them.
Absolutely! While it’s great for families, adults can enjoy the experience just as much.
No. You can bring a stroller/pram to Bubble Planet Sydney but it must be left at the entrance as they can’t be taken into the main immersive areas. A baby carrier would work better here.
All ages are welcome but keep in mind that the space is not accessible for prams/strollers. Kids under 2 years of age are free to enter.
Yes. There are 2-hour free parking spaces on Olympic Boulevard, Grand Parade and Dawn Fraser Avenue. Otherwise, there is also paid parking available.
Paddington Pavilion, Gate 4, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park.
Yes, but there is no guarantee that there will be tickets available at the door. We highly recommend you book your tickets in advance in to guarantee your spot. Order your tickets >>here<<.
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