A mothers group is one of the best support networks you’ll find in the early years, and getting out of the house together makes it even better. Whether your bub is still in the pram or your toddler is ready to run laps of a playground, there’s plenty to do together across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Here are some tried and tested ideas for your next mothers group catch up. For more inspiration on solo outings between meet ups, our pillar guide on Things to Do with a Baby in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter covers everything from beaches to baby classes in one spot.
Go for a Group Walk
Prams make walking together easy, and once the kids are a bit older you can shorten the distance and add a playground stop at the end. For a flat option, try Eleebana to Speers Point or the Fernleigh Track. If your group is after more of a workout, the Bar Beach to Merewether stretch has a few hills to get the heart rate up. For more inspiration read our article Best Pram-Friendly Walks in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Visit the animals at Blackbutt Reserve
Blackbutt Reserve, accessed via the Carnley Avenue entrance in New Lambton, is a favourite for mothers groups thanks to its shaded picnic spots and resident wildlife. Koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats are all on site, and the wide boardwalks make it easy to push a pram right up to the enclosures without any hassle.
Once kids are a bit older, head to the Adventure Playground via the Richley Reserve entrance. There’s a dedicated area for younger children plus barbecue facilities if your group wants to turn it into a longer catch up. There’s a play area for younger kids as well as plenty of spots to have a barbecue.
Take a Ride on Public Transport
A ferry, train or light rail trip doubles as an outing and an activity in itself. Catch the Stockton ferry across and either walk the Stockton foreshore path or let the kids loose at the Stockton Active Hub, with a cafe right next door for a coffee stop.
The Newcastle light rail is another easy option. It sits low to the ground, making it simple to roll prams on and off, and a loop on the line ends conveniently at Newcastle Beach.
Join a Local Playgroup
If you want a more structured environment, join a local playgroup with some of your mum friends. There’s loads to choose from. You might even find more like-minded mums to join your mothers group. Here’s a list of local playgroups in the Newcastle region.
Sign Up for a Library Program
Newcastle Region Library, Lake Macquarie City Library and Maitland City Library all run free programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, and most include a baby pack parents can borrow. It’s a low-cost, air-conditioned option that works well year round. Wallsend Library is worth a special mention, with a large, light-filled children’s space that gives a mothers group plenty of room to spread out with prams and toddlers. Here is our list of programs available at local libraries.
Explore a New Park or Playground
With so many playgrounds across the region, a mothers group can spend months working through a new one each visit. Check out the Newy with Kids list of playgrounds for a description of different parks and playgrounds. If you want playgrounds specifically for younger kids, check out the Newy with Kids article Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in the Newcastle area. We have also created a list of playgrounds with nearby cafes, parks and playgrounds with shade and playgrounds with all-abilities equipment.
Meet at an Indoor Play Centre
Indoor play centres are a great option during the week when it’s hot or rainy. Kids can play in age-appropriate areas while parents enjoy a catch-up. Our full list of Indoor Play Centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter covers options across the region.
Meet at a Cafe or Restaurant
A cafe catch up is often the easiest option, particularly if you pick a venue where kids eat free. We keep an updated list of venues where kids eat free, sorted by day of the week, along with a broader guide to family-friendly cafes and restaurants across Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie with playgrounds, kids menus, high chairs and baby change facilities.
Try a Baby-Friendly Cinema Session
Get out of the house and go to the movies and bring that squirming, gurgling, fidgeting, bawling bundle of joy to meet up with your mother’s group. Each Wednesday morning, Reading Cinemas at Charlestown Square presents Baby’s Day Out sessions for parents and babies. Event Cinemas in Glendale and Kotara offer Bring Your Baby sessions weekly Wednesday and Fridays.
Head to the Beach or a Pool
In warmer months, the beach is an obvious meeting spot. The Canoe Pool at Newcastle Beach, the shallow area at Merewether Beach and Grannies Pool at Blacksmiths Beach are ideal spots to take babies, toddlers and preschoolers. If a pool suits your group better, there are shallow toddler pools at Lambton Pool, Wallsend Pool, Charlestown Swim Centre, Speers Point Swim Centre, Swansea Swim Centre, Morisset Swim Centre and Maitland Pool.
Enrol in a Baby Class Together
From baby music and creative arts to kinder gym and mums and bubs yoga, enrolling in a class together for a term gives your mothers group a regular fixture on the calendar. Choose an activity that all the mothers in your group will enjoy and enrol for a term or longer. Here is our list of Baby & Toddler Classes in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
A walk with a playground stop at the end tends to work well for new groups, since it’s low pressure and easy to adjust the distance and pace to suit everyone.
Yes. Library programs, walking routes, beaches and most playgrounds are free, making them easy regular options between paid activities like classes or indoor play centres.
An indoor play centre or a library program are both solid wet weather options, and a few cafes on our kids eat free list also have indoor play areas.