sharidan bowman 27/5/25 sharidan bowman 27/5/25

bonbeach sports reserve playground, bonbeach

This playground’s name doesn’t evoke a sense of awe or wonder but Mamma’s 5 year old likes to call it “The Secret Place” which is a much more fitting name for this magic little (fully fenced!!) oasis.

You’d have no idea this place existed unless actively seeking it out. At first glance it’s just a local recreation centre with basketball courts and footy fields at the end of a residential street. But if you follow the walking trails past the basketball rings and native bushland, you will come to a clearing where this glorious little playground hides.

All the classics are here but in updated form - there’s a main play structure with things to climb and slide down, monkey bars to swing across and a rotating rope climber to spin on.

The draw card of this beautiful little playground though is the sand and water nature play area - complete with pump and sand scoop. Miss 5 spent most of the morning digging out a path for the water to follow and pretending to fish in the little “pond” where the water collected.

This Mamma got to sample many a “sand cake” from the adjoining mud kitchen decked out with inbuilt bowls for mixing! **chef’s kiss**

If wet sand is not your cup of tea, be sure to bring a picnic or a couple of snags to throw on the undercover BBQ facilities that sits within the fenced off playground.

the nitty gritty

46 CannesAve, Bonbeach 3196

sand pit - water play - drinking fountain - fully fenced - basketball court - picnic tables - undercover BBQ facilities - off street parking

Mamma's special mentions: Little Buttons Messy Play is just down the road if the weather turns!

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sharidan bowman 20/5/25 sharidan bowman 20/5/25

sherbrooke avenue playground, oakleigh south

Based on the sheer volume of sand kids bring home in their shoes, it is no secret that little ones gravitate towards a sandpit. This universal truth makes Oakleigh South’s local secret even better!

Let Mamma introduce you to Sherbrooke Avenue Playground’s “sand factory” - a series of stations that allow children to interact and engage with sand in different ways.

From using the pulley system to collect sand to manually cranking the conveyor belt to transport it - this little factory will keep the kids busy for AGES! There are also scales for weighing and measuring and a stencil table to create sand art.

Besides the amazing sandpit, this suburban playground also boasts an obstacle course of balancing platforms and ropes to test little ones’ agility and coordination aka the most epic game of floor is lava!

The swing set which also includes a pod swing rounds out the little playground that sits on a greater reserve.

The playground is fenced and gated on its street side but backs on to the City of Kingston’s Green Wedge zone which includes expanses of grass for running and walking trails that connect this playground to other recreational spaces.

the nitty gritty

40a Sherbrooke Ave, Oakleigh South 3167

sand pit - sand factory - drinking fountain - fenced - walking trails - obstacle course

Mamma's special mentions: Grab the bikes and head to Bike Skills Indoor Bike Park in the neighbouring suburb of Bentleigh East!

for more parks and playgrounds inspiration click here

sharidan bowman 13/5/25 sharidan bowman 13/5/25

cooinda reserve playground, clarinda

Imagine having this hidden gem on your doorstep! Cooinda Reserve (sometimes referred to as Dalbeattie Dr Reserve) is a special little spot that makes this Mamma incredibly jealous of the Clarinda locals who get to enjoy it on the daily.

The only ones that might love this playground more than Mamma’s two year old are the beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets that can be found fleeting from tree to tree, feasting on the native plant life. If you’re as lucky as we were, you might even spot a very stoic Tawny Frogmouth perched in one of the eucalyptus trees which can be found dotted around the perimeter of the play space.

The playground itself offers such a variety of options for a residential playground of its size. The main play structure houses a generous cubby style alcove on ground level. There is a ladder and climbing net to help little ones up to the large viewing deck, where they can take in the lay of the land and decide what to play on next. With a fireman pole and double slide to slip down, the playground adventure can continue!

The little tool shed (complete with cute wooden tools attached to the walls) is a big draw card for Mamma’s boy who loves to go around the house “fixing” aka banging doors and walls.

The playground also includes a spinning cup, swings, seesaw and sandpit, with a picnic table positioned perfectly to be able to watch little legs dart from spot to spot.

With some grass to kick a soccer ball about and a paved trail perfect for little scooters or trikes, Mamma thinks this is the perfect spot to whittle away a few hours between naps for younger kids or those who enjoy a more laid back style of play.

the nitty gritty

Cooinda Crescent, Clarinda 3169

sand pit - picnic table - drinking fountain - nature play

Mamma's special mentions: If the weather takes a turn, head to Crocs Playcentre in the neighbouring suburb of Clayton

for more parks and playgrounds inspiration click here

sharidan bowman 5/5/25 sharidan bowman 5/5/25

dales park playground, oakleigh south

This playground screams little kid’s birthday party. It’s fully fenced with undercover BBQ facilities and picnic tables, toilets, drinking fountains and off street parking. Tick, tick, tick!

There are two main play structures (one for the littlies and one for the big kids) connected by a rope bridge. They have nets to climb, slides to slide down, planks to walk and fireman poles to whirl down.

Surrounding these two structures are swings, seesaw, ride on spinning top, sandpit complete with wooden teepee and spiders web net with two rope hammocks attached.

The space has been thoughtfully designed with paths leading to each play zone and some bench seating located in the centre (with more found around the BBQ shelter). There are some lovely trees dotted around the perimeter of the playground that may provide shade in years to come but for the moment, Mamma would suggest a liberal slip slop slap before getting there .

The playground sits behind Dales Park’s massive netball courts where you can often find families kicking the footy or getting some trike/scooter/skate practice in when games are not on - so be sure to pack it all and make a day of it!

the nitty gritty

Washington Drive, Oakleigh South 3167

off street parking - sand pit - picnic table - bbq facilities - toilet - drinking fountain - netball court - fully fenced

Mamma's special mentions: Head to Big Pig Canteen afterwards for some delicious American style BBQ.

sharidan bowman 23/4/25 sharidan bowman 23/4/25

lyle anderson reserve playground, highett

Surrounded by a beautiful rose garden and flanked by dramatic leaf adorned archways at either end, it is easy to forget that Lyle Anderson Reserve playground is nestled between the back end of new build apartments and train tracks.

This hidden gem is easy to miss, making it even more delightful when you find it. Drive down the gravel road to the off street carpark and try to keep up with the kidlets as they race through the archways to a small clearing where the train themed playground sits. There is a small locomotive complete with steering wheel and climb through tunnel that will greet you as you enter the playground.

To the left there are traditional and nest swings which sit next to the picnic table and bbq facilities. To the right you will find the main play structure which is designed for little climbers - there is an abseil/rock climbing wall, rope ladder and disc climber which all lead to the big orange spiral slide. But don’t worry grown ups - if you need to follow them up, there are stairs too!

Since starting prep, Mamma’s 5 year old has mastered and subsequently hyper-fixated on monkey bars and anything monkey bar related so we spent most of our time swinging from bar to bar and zipping across the flying fox.

For those who need a little peace and quiet, follow the disc stepping stones to the small sandpit. There, you will also find an arch bridge which leads to a hidden alcove, perfect for little ones to conspire or engage in imaginative play.

Once the kids have finished playing, why not take a quick walk around the small but nicely maintained grounds that the playground sits on - and if the little train enthusiasts are lucky, they’ll be able to see one zip past the perimeter of the reserve!

the nitty gritty

Highett Grove, Highett 3190

off street parking - sand pit - picnic table - bbq facilities - toilet

Mamma's special mentions: For some indoors fun, head to MoPa (Museum of Play and Art) which is just a short drive down the road.

sharidan bowman 19/3/25 sharidan bowman 19/3/25

pasadena avenue playground, beaumaris

Pasadena Avenue Playground, is everything you want a little residential playground to be. This quaint Beaumaris play space has the magic of a secret garden with all the classic playground amenities

Pasadena Avenue Playground is everything you want a little residential playground to be. This quaint Beaumaris play space has the magic of a secret garden with all the classic playground amenities.

The equipment is surrounded by native trees that provide a nice bit of shade, and creates a feeling of seclusion that makes you feel like you have stumbled across a secret little playground in bushland.

There are three separate play structures to keep the kids happy as well as a couple of swings and the most whimsical fairy ring of toadstools. Mamma’s 2 year old was a big fan of the suspended rubber trampoline and sandpit, complete with digger.

There’s so much packed into this beautiful little spot that the kid’s won’t want to leave in a hurry. So bring a picnic and take advantage of the reserve’s grassy knoll or picnic table and soak in the surrounds while the little ones play.