carrum foreshore playground, carrum
This gorgeous, seaside playground, with a marine-theme is a perfect all-year-round winner!
This gorgeous marine-themed seaside playground, is a perfect all-year-round winner!
Perfect for the summer days spent at the beach; and for those colder winter months, the vibrant decor is sure to brighten up a dreary day!
Here you'll find a lighthouse with telescope, rock-maze, rocking-boat, swings, slides and as the ground is all sand - one GIANT sand pit!
With bbq facilities available at the playground, a cafe a stones throw away and the beach right next door, what more could you ask for?
the nitty gritty
Old Post Office Lane, Carrum 3197
partially fenced - toilets - BBQ facilities - drinking fountain - picnic tables - partially shaded - paid parking
Mamma's special mention
Mamma says you have to visit The beach bar Carrum - perfect for the kids with a a kids corner!
heatherton 'troll' park, clayton south
For years now, Clayton South’s Heatherton park playground aka “Troll Park”, has been guarded by two towering trolls who, to this Mamma’s relief, permitted an afternoon of playground fun… toll free!
For years now, Clayton South’s Heatherton park playground aka “Troll Park”, has been guarded by two towering trolls who, to this Mamma’s relief, permitted an afternoon of playground fun… toll free!
Whether the kids are sliding through the mouth of an angry looking three tongued troll, balancing on a troll foot spring or traipsing the traditional playground equipment adorned with toothy troll smiles, it’s pretty obvious how this playground got its nickname.
There are a multitude of slides for sliding, multiple swings for swinging, two equipment structures for climbing and exploring and a giant wooden hut for hiding from hungry trolls. And once the kids have vanquished those pesky beasts, why not explore the rest of the park?
Since the playground is part of the greater Heatherton Park, it’s the perfect place to bring the scooters or bikes along. Follow the footpath through the sensory wrought iron walkway (adorned with various bits and pieces to clang, clash and bash) and you will find vast open areas of grass, perfect for running off that extra kid energy.
Mamma’s hot tip - though there is some shade available from the park’s beautiful towering trees and undercover bbq/picnic area, the playground itself offers little respite from the sun so be sure to slip slop slap before getting there!
the nitty gritty
1 Ireland Rd, Clayton South 3169
undercover picnic tables and bbq facilities - walking track - toilets - limited on street parking - basketball court - open green spaces
Mamma's special mention
Once the kids have had their fill of the outdoors, why not sample some of the cutest cakes in town over at The 1985 Kafe, just a few minutes drive down the road.
karkarook park, heatherton
Karkarook park playground has had a makeover and she is looking LOVELY! With its green and brown colour scheme, the revamped equipment beautifully blends into the natural surroundings of the parkland it sits on. The new play space has all the classics including slides, swings, climbing nets, monkey bars and bridge - there’s even a community library and book exchange box too!
Karkarook park playground has had a makeover and she is looking LOVELY! With its green and brown colour scheme, the revamped equipment beautifully blends into the natural surroundings of the parkland it sits on.
The new play space has all the classics including slides, swings, climbing nets, monkey bars and bridge - there’s even a community library and book exchange box too!
It’s easy to spend the good part of a day here, with Karkarook’s many walking trails, observation deck, bbq facilities and lake (byo fishing rod and kayak… no seriously!).
Mamma suggests heading to the Dragonfly carpark right off Fairchild st for proximity to the playground and picnic/bbq areas. Keep in mind there are no bins available on site as Karkarook has a “carry in carry out” rubbish policy, so make sure to bring a bag or two.
the nitty gritty
4 Fairchild st, Heatherton 3202
undercover bbq facilities and picnic tables - off street parking - toilets - walking trails - lake
Mamma's special mention:
Worked up an appetite? Head to Penny for Pound for some delicious pastries and coffee!
edithvale recreation reserve, edithvale
The colourful Edithvale Recreation Reserve Playground is a little shot of happiness in suburbia.
The colourful Edithvale Recreation Reserve Playground is a little shot of happiness in suburbia.
There’s plenty there to entertain a variety of ages. The heart of the playground is its large wooden structure with multiple slides, rock climbing wall and double story rope nets. There’s also a seesaw, swings, spinning cup and a cute sandpit complete with digger and toadstools that keeps Mamma’s two very happy the entire time.
Families can enjoy the undercover BBQ facilities just next to the playground, but it is worth noting that the bathrooms are all the way on the other side of the reserve, so mamma recommends planning toilet breaks in advance.
the nitty gritty
The nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - off street parking - toilets far away
Mamma’s special mention: Treat the family to some ice team down at Sunset Scoops afterwards!
mentone racecourse reserve, mentone
This incredible reserve has a lake, zip-liner, basketball court, maze, swings, sandpit, diggers and more!!
Get on your horse - you will want to race to this park!
Mamma ADORES this stunning reserve, nestled away amongst suburban streets - you may not even realise it exists!
It is a huge reserve with a duck/fish/eel filled lake in the middle. Two little bridges take you across it, with two separate play grounds on either side.
The reserve is set on the site of the old Mentone Racecourse, and carries a horse theme throughout.
There are ride-on rocking horses, horse-jumps, a wooden maze and horses painted on the play equipment.
The play equipment is amazing; a zip-liner, basketball court, soccer/AFL goals, merry-go-round, nest swing, maze, slides, climbing net, swings, viewing platform with binoculars, sandpit, diggers, - it goes on..
Plus there are BBQ facilities and picnic tables under shade, making it a perfect place for a picnic.
This is truly beautiful reserve, and an action-packed park, will become your new favourite!
the nitty gritty
toilet facilities - BBQ - picnic tables- bench seats - some shaded area - lake with ducks - basketball court - soccer/AFL goals- maze - zip liner -free parking - open spaces for picnics
Mamma’s special mention: After a play head to Happy as Larry down the road a bit!
peter scullin reserve, mordialloc
What could be more perfect than a newly upgraded nautical-themed playground with water play right on the foreshore of the beautiful Mordialloc beach?
What could be more perfect than a newly upgraded nautical-themed playground with water play, right on the foreshore of the beautiful Mordialloc beach?
Perhaps also being located beside a creek and boat mooring, where kids can see boats, water, sand and a fabulous playground, all in one vicinity!
A lot of the equipment is under shade, perfect for the sunny days. The ground is made of soft matting, ideal for the inevitable falls and for the crawlers - and kids of all ages will love the water play area - with water tables pooling into a little pebble creek - perfect for little feet to splash in. The play equipment will have you sliding, swinging, tumbling (in the hamster wheel) and there are even little electronic spelling games to get those brains exercising too!
With shaded BBQ areas and picnic tables, and loads of grassy area to picnic on, this will be a local favourite and is bound to get busy! It is also the location for wonderful family-friendly events held throughout the year - so keep an eye out for the next one!
It’s just a few hundred metres walk to the sandy beach and pier, and a short stroll to the main shopping strip, making this playground the ultimate location! And yes - there are toilets too!
Peter Scullin Reserve
333 Beach Rd
Mordialloc
the nitty gritty
BBQs - water play - picnic tables - toilet - partially fenced - paid parking
Mamma's special mention
Built up a hunger? Need to quench that thirst? Luckily you have the stunning SunnyBoy Beach Club right across the car park!
highett reserve playground, highett
This recently upgraded playground has all the magical elements of a fairy tale AND has a toilet!
Welcome to an enchanted playground!
This recently upgraded playground has all the magical elements of a fairy tale. Nestled under the shade of a sprawling, leafy tree, is a cute little troll garden complete with large statues of frogs, snakes and toadstools.
There’s a wooden castle decked out with windows, slides, fireman poles and climbing frames. The kids’ imaginations will run wild here as they can play hide n seek and all sorts of Kings and Queens of the castle games.
There’s also some swings, a regular seesaw and a very cool giant seesaw/swing type contraption that is apparently called a ‘mobilus’! Lot’s of fun for the bigger kids. The playground is sprinkled with many beautiful large trees, and the grass is covered with awesome leaves - perfect for collecting.
Oh and Mamma is saving the best for last - this is mainly fenced AND has a toilet!
There’s also an undercover picnic table area complete with BBQs. This one’s a winner!
Mamma’s special mention: Head down the road a bit and enjoy some delicious coffee and food at Rubia Cafe.
the nitty gritty
fully fenced - castle -troll garden - street parking - open grass space - toddler friendly - toilets
bicentennial skate and youth park, chelsea
This place has such an awesome vibe, perfect for all ages and abilities.
This place has such an awesome vibe! If you’re lucky, there may even be some local muso’s playing bongos under the rotunda, to really add to the atmosphere.
This youth park caters for all ages and abilities. The skate park has some small bumps for the littler skaters - perfect for scooters and bikes, it also has some decent (huge!) ramps testing the skate skills of the older kids - and parents! Mamma was impressed to see lots of dads having a go with their kids!
Next to the skate park there is a basketball and netball court creating lots of fun for all ages. There’s a heap of grassy area for families to share a picnic and set up some ball sports. So great to see a community space like this catering for the teens and older kids and for the whole family to enjoy.
Mamma's special mention: The younger kids will love crossing over the path to have a play at the awesome Bicentennial Playground.
the nitty gritty
BBQ - free parking - picnic tables - some shaded cover - open field - toilets
bald hill park playground, clarinda
This is the perfect picnic park with huge open spaces to set up camp for the day! It even has a toilet!
This is the perfect picnic park with huge open spaces to set up camp for the day! It even has a toilet!
There are multiple areas for picnicking on either side of the playground. Picnic tables are scattered around, and there are two undercover areas with BBQs as well.
The playground has some pretty unique equipment including little tin huts with bridges connecting them - ensuring a heap of imaginative play from the little ones. There’s a sandpit, slides, tunnels, spinning wheel and more. Mamma’s fave has to be the gorgeous wooden wombat statues and all of the large shady trees!
Opposite the playground there is a huge grassy field which is home to Disc Golf. Mamma had never heard of that before - what an awesome and unique concept! In case you are also unfamiliar with this, basically - think golf, but with frisbees. Such a fun, FREE family idea.
There is also an off-leash dog area, so this truly is the perfect park for everyone.
Mamma's special mention: Grab a picnic box, coffee and more from the delicious Dolce Fantasia just around the corner!
the nitty gritty
toilets - BBQ - free street parking - picnic tables - some shaded cover - large open field - disc golf
reg marlow reserve, mentone
You’ve gotta love a fully fenced in park!
How good is a fully enclosed park! There’s no way the little ones can escape from here! Which is a good thing seeing as the reserve runs off a main road.
Not only is it fully enclosed, but there’s also an outdoor gym to keep the adults busy, too!
The playground itself has some gorgeous little gumnut babies poking through the equipment. A little cubby house shopfront, swings, slides, climbing wall, open grass area for ball sports, a sandpit with a digger and more.
There’s a few tables with some shade and a BBQ. Around the corner is an off-leash dog park, so bring your fur babies along for some fun!
Mamma's special mention:
Feel like something sweet? A short drive away is a gorgeous cafe with delicious cakes, Ginger Fox.
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - free parking- outdoor gym equipment
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
cheltenham park reserve and playground, cheltenham
Pack a picnic and be prepared to play the day away at this great reserve!
Pack a picnic and be prepared to play the day away at this great reserve!
Mamma has fond memories of growing up in this fab little playground. It was the perfect place for kids parties way back then, and is even more so now!
There’s multiple BBQ’s and picnic tables to enjoy some lunch, or grab your picnic rug and take advantage of the abundance of space to sprawl under the shade of the leafy trees.
Perhaps a little bush walk is more your cup of tea? Well there are multiple walking tracks on offer here, too!
Of course, the play equipment is also a winner. There’s a BIG slide and a few smaller ones, spinning cup, flying fox, climbing structures, rock walls, swings and there’s also a cricket batting cage.
Mamma's special mention:
Head up the road to the amazingly kid friendly Il Giardino Cafe for some delicious food and drinks.
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities - picnic tables - free parking- walking track - toilet facilities
kingston heath reserve, moorabbin
With heaps of wide open space, super cool play equipment and a BBQ - this is the ultimate picnic park!
With heaps of wide open space, super cool play equipment and a BBQ - this is the ultimate picnic park!
Surrounded by lush green gardens and leafy trees, this park has an almost bush-like feel to it. Providing plenty of room to kick a footy or set up a cricket match to entertain the older kids. Whilst having a fantastic play area including; a fire truck, spinning wheel, slides, swings, sandpit with digger, toadstools to climb, hidey-holes, a huge intricate climbing sphere, a clock and more!
There’s also shaded areas with picnic tables, a BBQ and toilet facilities - making it the perfect place to spend the day!
Mamma's special mentions:
Hungry after all that play? Head to the delicious Cool Bean Kitchen to refuel.
the nitty gritty
toilets - shaded areas - BBQ - picnic tables - free parking
Cnr Grange Rd and Centre Dandenong Rd
Moorabbin
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
ufo park (grange reserve), clayton south
The hero of the park is the giant UFO. Complete will bouncy springs, jet engines, and two slides to disembark on. You can even pretend you are the pilot!
Do you believe the truth is out there?
This awesome space-themed park has an even more awesome back story.
On the 6th April in 1966, students and teachers from Westall school's, reportedly saw an 'unidentified flying object' hovering above the trees. It is said to have landed in the tall pine trees of what is now grange reserve, for 20 minutes before taking off at speed.
If you read the quotes that are spread around the park, allegedly army trucks appeared not long after and investigated the scene. Yet curiously, the event was barely covered in the next day's media. Intriguing, right?
Well - so is this reserve! There is SO much to do and see here, you will literally spend hours investigating.
Of course, the hero of the park is the giant UFO. Complete will bouncy springs, jet engines, and two slides to disembark on. You can even pretend you are the pilot!
There are also all your usual play equipment; swings, flying fox, sandpit, digger, climbing wall, dizzy spinning wheel, wooden tree house - and lots more!
There's also picnic tables and free BBQ facilities making it the perfect picnic outing. With huge pine trees (hello pine cone hunting!) and bush surroundings, there is so much to explore. Don't forget to keep your eyes out for UFO's!
Mamma's special mention
Feel like a sweet treat to bring on your picnic? Pop past Daniel's Donuts on the way!
the nitty gritty
toilet facilities- free parking - picnic tables & bbq facilities
wanna know more?
click here
136-176 Osborne Ave, Clayton South
click here for more great parks and playgrounds in Melbourne's South
albany crescent reserve, aspendale
Mamma just loves a themed park! And what can be better than a train theme?
Mamma just loves a themed park! And what can be better than a train theme?
This gorgeous park consists of an old train that you can hop on board and pretend to drive. It also has a train station that you can sit and wait at whilst controlling the signals from stop to go.
There's also 2 sets of see-saws, one of which you can lay down on; double racing slides, merry-go-rounds, a small rock-climbing wall and a few picnic tables.
This park is the perfect place for imaginative play. This mamma will back many times in the future!
Mamma's special mention
Hungry after all that play? The kids can continue enjoying themselves at the wonderful Oscar's Hangout not far away.
the nitty gritty
mostly fenced in- free parking - shaded picnic tables
dolomore reserve, parkdale
A fenced playground with a treetop adventure waiting for you!
This Mamma LOVES a little treasure of a playground! One that is off the beaten track and tucked in a beautiful side street. One that has an old school wooden treetop style; yet with many modern twists. One with a giant climbing tree for exploring. One with a sandpit and digger for excavations. One with a spinny-whizzy-careful-not-to-loose-your-lunch spinner. And one that you can close the gate behind you, safe with the knowledge that the little ones are contained.
These playgrounds are a super lifesaver for when you need somewhere different to hang out on a beautiful day in between the hustle and bustle of family life.
Mamma's special mention
Hungry after a play? Head down the road to the wonderful Oscar's Hangout to refuel!
the nitty gritty
picnic shelter - toilets - some shade - great climbing tree - fully fenced - athletics track nearby - tennis courts nearby
chelsea beach playground, chelsea
Only steps away from beautiful Chelsea beach, is this wonderful nautical themed park!
Only steps away from the beach, this wonderful nautical themed park, boasts a giant light-house complete with telescope and binoculars at the top!
There's undercover picnic tables and BBQ facilities, making it the perfect place for a picnic lunch.
With two separate areas, it is perfect for all ages. Lots of climbing apparatus for the older kids and a giant sandpit with diggers and a hidden cubby underneath a castle for the youngsters.
This park doesn't have much shade, so make sure you bring hats and sunscreen, as you will need them in Summer! It also gets very busy as it is next to one of the most beautiful beaches in Melbourne!
Mamma's Special Mention
This is in prime location to many wonderful cafes. One great one is Alice Rebels
the nitty gritty
paid parking out front - free parking in nearby streets - toilet facilities - bbq facilities - some shaded area - picnic tables - beachside - water taps
roy dore reserve, carrum
A huge wooden, shaded Pirate ship - complete with cannons, is the draw card at this fabulous playground!
Ahoy me hearties! Are you ready to walk the plank?
There is a huge, wooden, shaded Pirate ship; complete with cannons, to play on at this fabulous playground!
Mamma thinks this is fabulous for all ages. For the older kids, they can test their courage as they walk across a wobbly netted bridge; or face their fears climbing up a ladder enclosed in a dark slim tunnel!
The younger kids have a smaller ship to climb and embark on a slippery slide.
There are also plenty of climbing apparatus and spaces to hide in underneath the large ship. Not to mention all of the slides, swings, sandpit and diggers scattered across this wonderful park.
Adults - there is even outdoor gym equipment should you feel like a bit of a work out (aside from chasing kids and pushing swings!)
Mamma's special mention
After all the play here, you are sure to work up a pirate-sized hunger! Luckily the awesome Beach Bar Carrum is only minutes away!
the nitty gritty
free parking - toilet facilities - outdoor gym - large open spaces- shaded areas - picnic tables - off-leash dog area nearby
bicentennial park, chelsea
Gigantic slides, smurf village, musical huts, skate park - could this be the BEST park in the South?
Gigantic slides, smurf village, skate park - what more can you want?
Oh, ok then, throw in a musical hut, sand pit, train, swings of all shapes and sizes, exercise equipment, monkey bars, BBQ facilities, dog park and a huge oval - and you have arguably the BEST park in the South!
If you haven't been before, it is truly worth the visit, your kids will be little balls of energy and bounce around all of the fabulous equipment.
There are shaded picnic areas making it the perfect party/picnic park. And if you are lucky, frequent visitor - Mr Whippy will be on hand to offer some refreshments!
Mamma's special mention: if you find that the kids still want to play, head over to the Skate Park or if the weather takes a turn, why not head to The Silly Seahorse playcentre, just around the corner?
the nitty gritty
BBQ facilities -
shaded picnic tables - public toilets/change room -
*fenced (but hugely spread out) -
- all abilities equipment
