Kids can get outdoors and enjoy nature at one of the many fabulous playgrounds in Victoria's urban parks. With playscapes designed for all ages and abilities, you're sure to find a playground perfect for your family. Dig out the sunhats, pack a picnic and take the kids for an outdoor adventure through their imaginations. Our top tip: visit before 10:30am or after 3pm to avoid the crowds and get the most out of your play-date.
Please be COVID safe and check coronavirus.vic.gov.au before you visit a park playground. If none of these parks are within your travel limit, there are plenty of other places to take the kids to play. Check out our Urban Parks page for more.
Brimbank Park Playscape
The extensive playscape at Brimbank Park has been designed for children of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs. Tactile circular paths run through the playground, and animal sculptures beckon kids to explore. The playground has signage in Braille and Auslan, plus an accessible water fountain and sand pit. Make sure you check out the swings, which cater for younger and older children with physical disabilities, as well as the interactive murals and the build-it-yourself cubby house.
Brimbank Park Playscape is a great opportunity for play-based education, too - kids can learn about the Aboriginal and European history of the area with features like the giant 'Bunjil the Creator' nest and Waa's Message maze. For adventurous, creative play, this is a spot you won't want to miss.
Parks Victoria has also worked with AMAZE to develop social script resources for children on the autism spectrum, which can help you plan your visit to Brimbank Park.
Jells Park Playscape
Visit the new playscape at Jells Park (enter via Waverley Road) where kids can learn all about the special flora and fauna of the area on brand-new all-abilities equipment. Local artists Jeanette Jennings and Kylie Crampton worked with local primary schools Jells Park and Wheelers Hill Primary Schools to create the mosaics you'll see throughout on the large turtle and yabby at the playscape. There's so many features to explore, including a wheelchair carousel, spiders' climbing web, swings, a sandpit, the incredible floating rock garden, and heaps more. Plus, you can stop for a coffee or a snack at the famous Madeline's at Jells. Check our Autism Friendly Visits page to find social script resources for Jells Park, too.
Karkarook Park Playground
Stop off at Karkarook Park's Dragonfly Picnic area, where you'll find a playground with all the classic equipment: slides, swings, monkey bars, a rope-climbing wall and some great towers - perfect for scouting the surrounding country for wildlife. You can take a breather at the individual picnic tables, wander near the water nearby, or take a leisurely stroll around the lake on the Lake Circuit Trail.
Braeside Park Playground
At Braeside Park, you'll find all kinds of educational and recreational opportunities. Meander past the park's murals, which teach kids about the plants, animals and cultural heritage of the area. They'll love getting up close to the tree stump carvings of local celebrities that line Cypress Drive, and they can get into nature in the interactive community garden. Braeside Park's adventure playground is a play paradise for kids of all ages and abilities, with monkey bars, bridges, a great slide and plenty of cycling paths to test out their training wheels.
Westerfolds Park Playground (in Yarra Valley Parklands)
Nestled in the Yarra Valley Parklands, Westerfolds Park playground is a wonderful location for spotting some of the abundant wildlife in the area. The kids will love clambering over the old-school wooden adventure playground, swinging on the swings, and refuelling with a snack on the expansive lawns. The playground is close to car parking, a large shelter with electric barbecues, a toilet block and picnic tables.
Andrews Reserve Playground (in Yarra Bend Park)
Set up a picnic in the shade while the kids run free and explore the fortress-like playground in Andrews Reserve, the perfect spot for a family day out. Kids will love the speedy slides, flying fox and swings, while grownups can unwind in the shade on the riverside picnic tables. For older kids, or for a fun school holiday activity, take a packed lunch and a scrapbook and settle in for some nature-spotting in this gorgeous urban park setting.
Albert Park
For all-access play, make a stop at Albert Park's Coot Picnic Ground. Here you'll find a small but delightful playground with a wheelchair swing - just pop in to the Parks Victoria Office to grab the key. You can also stroll down to the lake front, where you'll find concrete pathways suitable for wheelchair access and some picturesque floating jetties.
Or visit the Community Playground, which is fully accessible from the Middle Park light rail station. This extensive, shady adventure playground will charm kids of all ages and abilities. Make a day of it at the accessible barbecues and nearby picnic area, a beautiful spot for families to gather after a big day out.
Silvan Reservoir Park
Set in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Silvan Reservoir Park is a perfect spot for an outing with young children. Take a stroll to the lookout to watch the reflections in the enormous reservoir, then head back to the playground at the Lower Picnic Ground. You'll find accessible undercover and outdoor picnic tables here, making it a great place to stop for lunch. The kids can enjoy slides, a climbing wall, monkey bars and a classic chain bridge while you relax in the peaceful bush setting.
There's so much for families to explore in Victoria's parks. Plan your family's perfect day in nature by visiting our Family Outings page.
