Another giant park with multiple play areas. Ideal for the hot Brisbane weather this park is well shaded and includes a water park.
There are also multiple climbing areas and slides. The range of equipment makes the park suitable for all ages.
A large park, conveniently next to a train station and near shops. The park has several sections with activities suitable for toddlers, preschoolers and older children. There are flying foxes, climbing frames of different shapes and sizes and 4 different slides, as well as 2 roundabouts and 2 see-saws.
For smaller children there is a mini bike track, but for adults and older children there is a large bike path running around the oval.
The open grass space is perfect for playing soccer, flying kites, or if you want to keep fit, hill runs.
A fantastic educational place to visit.
With flaming bubbles and robot dinosaurs what more could you want?
It is chock full of hands on activities including air balloons, moving gears, energy generating bikes, and light play.
The shows are also fantastic. We weren’t sure if our four year old would have the attention span for them but the presenters are engaging and interactive. Definitely do the bubble science show.
Wind tunnel and parachutes
So your child likes running, climbing and jumping and you live in a studio apartment with your grandmother’s fine china collection?
Never fear, the diy obstacle course is here. You can make these as elaborate or as simple as you like. My first go involved a step ladder, bean bag, hoola hoops and cushions. It took forever and while Mr 3 loved it the effort seemed extreme.
Then I found electrical tape. It is the best for making obstacle courses, car tracks, hopscotch. Just stick it down on the ground and when the game is over make another game of pulling it off the floor. You can get multicolour packs if you want to get really fancy with red stop lines, green speed sections and yellow go slows. Make up little rules- at this line do 5 star jumps, on this line walk backwards etc and watch your child burn off all their excess energy. As they get more confident they will start making the tracks and the rules themselves.
No tape? No worries. Just make rules for specific walls and furniture and make up an invisible obstacle course. You will need to remind them of the rules at first, but they will play for ages. I once used this trick to entertain my son during a four hour wait at hospital. He crabwalked, jumped and ran backwards around the tiny waiting room for hours despite being hungry, thirsty, tired and scared (nil by mouth).
Located on Forest road in Hurstville is a new boutique play centre, Babyccino cafe. Suitable for kids from zero to 8, the centre is sparkling clean and inviting.
It has a deep ballpit with an interactive game screen and air tunnels. There is a multi-level climbing course that makes amazing use of the small space, and includes 2 smaller slides and one longer.
In the imaginative play area there is a fully decked out shopfront and a seriously impressive kitchen area. The dress up section has the key disney princesses, fire fighter costume, and to Mr 3’s excitement, Captain America. 8
There is a small play area set aside for under 2s with a little padded slide and climbing pads.
Finally, there is a section dedicated to construction with lego and magnets set up at child sized tables.
The food options will keep kids and adults happy with hidden vegetable sauces and sides of fresh fruit. The menu includes Japanese curries as well as standard kid fare. Mr3 was very happy with a tricolour spaghetti bolognese. There were not many vegetarian options but I had delicious sweet potato chips with a light tempura batter.
The complimentary iced lemon tea for the grown ups is a nice touch. The only area for improvement is the coffee, which was ok but not brilliant. Pay for the full day pass. Your child will refuse to leave.
Suitable for kids under 5 is this paradise for young families. Anyone who has been subjected to the chaos of the large chain play centres will revel in the quiet peace of this clean, calm kids cafe.
Lulled by nursery rhymes and pastel colours, the kids play nicely together. The requisite ball pit has two slides leading into it. There is a building area with lego tables, a dress up section with a wide range of props and costumes, and a clever pebble play area that acts like a sandpit without weeks of finding sand at home.
The coffee is good and the seats comfortable. The food is excellent with cute kids plates of rice, chicken and fruit my son’s favourite. Grown ups tend to choose the delicious noodle soup. The food plus entry option is a fantastic deal, and you’ll be happy to know that they use an air fryer so even wedges are not too unhealthy. They cleverly sell mini cupcakes which are the perfect bribe when it’s home time.
Despite the misfortune of opening not long before lock down, this sweet play cafe has managed to survive, to the gratitude of toddlers and parents alike.
Things to do and places to go with kids