Get out of the house and go on an adventure with your baby. Here’s a list of activities to enjoy together in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Hunter region.
Whether it’s playing at the park, socialising through a playgroup or mothers group, or attending a baby library program, there are plenty of enjoyable early childhood activities to strengthen the bond with your little one.
Venturing out with a baby can sometimes feel like a major undertaking. By the time you’ve dressed yourself and your baby and packed enough nappies, wipes, extra clothes, toys, etc, you might already be exhausted. But it’s worth the extra effort to get out and about to enjoy the Newcastle region with your bub!
Once you’re out of the house, you’ll realise how important outings are to both your mental and physical wellbeing. There’s heaps of fun things to do!
Take your baby for a walk
There is nothing more invigorating than a good walk. Get that stroller moving and enjoy a great workout and spectacular views on the Bar Beach to Merewether stretch or, if you prefer harbour views, try the Nobbys Beach to Newcastle walk. Here are 14 Best Family Walks in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter (most of them are suitable for prams).
Visit the animals at Blackbutt Reserve
Take your baby to Blackbutt Reserve and show them the animals. There are plenty of tranquil picnic spots to relax and enjoy time with babies and young children. If you feel like a wander, introduce your baby to some of the resident animals such as koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats. A series of boardwalks makes it easy to push a stroller and let little ones view the creatures up close in the wildlife exhibits. To make the most of your day out, read our article: Blackbutt Reserve – Everything You Need to Know for a Great Visit.
Enjoy a baby book program at your local library
Introduce your bub to the wonderful world of books by joining in a program especially for babies or toddlers at your local library. Newcastle Region Library, Lake Macquarie City Library and Maitland City Library all organise programs like Baby Storytime. Some have specific baby packs for parents to borrow as well.
Wallsend Library, in particular, has a large airy children’s section where you can sit and read to your baby. For more information, read our article: Visit Your Local Library for Fun and Educational Baby and Kids Programs.
Visit the Toy Library at New Lambton Library
Try out and take home some new toys for your baby by borrowing toys from the Newcastle and Hunter Toy Library. Based at New Lambton Library, individual members can borrow three toys for up to a month, or swap them each week. Family members can borrow six toys.
They have puzzles, blocks, Lego, bikes, babies toys, dress ups, musical instruments and much more. Membership is just $45 per year ($55 per family of two children or more) and the toys range in suitability for ages 0 to 8.
Join a playgroup
Take your baby out and meet new friends at a playgroup. Playgroups provide babies, toddlers and young children with a wide variety of early learning experiences including play time, music, stories, arts and crafts and excursions. For parents and caregivers, you’ll get to meet others and share parenting ideas and experiences.
There are loads of playgroups in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter region. Check out our Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter Playgroup Guide or, for a complete list of Playgroup NSW affiliated playgroups, visit the Find a Playgroup page on the Playgroup NSW website.
Go to the beach or a pool
When it’s hot, take little ones to the beach. The Canoe Pool at Newcastle Beach, the shallow area at Merewether Ocean Baths and the Grannies Pool at Blacksmiths Beach are ideal for babies and toddlers.
If you prefer a pool, 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.
For more information on local swimming spots, check out our articles: 15 of Newcastle’s Best Beaches and Ocean Baths for Kids & Families and Swimming Pools in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter to Visit With Your Kids.
Take your baby to an indoor play centre
On a rainy or cold day opt for an indoor play centre! Our local region has a great selection. Some have a babies-only or babies/toddlers-only section and most have a café or restaurant so you can grab a coffee or have something to eat while bub plays. Here’s our list of Indoor Kids Play Centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter.
Visit a new park or playground
Take your baby to a local park to get some fresh air or push them in a baby swing at a local playground.
Our favourite parks are Lambton Park and Maitland Park, with their wide paths and shady trees, King Edward Park with its ocean views and Speers Point Variety Park in Lake Macquarie.
Here’s our list of Best Playgrounds for Toddlers. These playgrounds include shade, fencing and toilet amenities as well as baby swings, soft ground coverings and age-appropriate equipment for crawlers and new walkers.
Eat at a local family-friendly café or restaurant
There’s no reason why having a baby should stop you from enjoying a meal out. If you want to take your baby and kids out while you grab a bite to eat you might find our following articles helpful:
Kids Eat Free in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter: This guide includes local pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes where kids can eat free, organised by day of the week.
40+ Family Friendly Spots with Playgrounds and Kids Areas: This guide includes family-friendly cafes and restaurants in Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie that offer playgrounds or a kids area. Most offer high chairs, a kids menu and baby-changing facilities.
Got to the movies with your bub
Don’t miss out on the latest movies – take your baby with you. Here are 9 Places to See a Family Movie with Your Kids Around Newcastle. Some offer Bring your Baby or Baby’s Day Out sessions.
Enrol your baby in a baby class
Attending a baby or toddler class with your little one can be one of the most enjoyable activities to do with them in their early years. In addition to all the benefits they’ll receive from the class, they’ll also get the opportunity to socialise with little ones their own age, you get to leave the house for a while and, quite often, the friendships formed between both the parents and carers and their children continue long after the children have outgrown the class. There are a lot of fun activities you can do with your child, depending on your interests. Here is a list of Baby and Toddler Classes in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter. You’ll find everything from baby music classes to mums and bubs yoga.
Take your baby for a ride on public transport
Take bub for a train ride or catch the Stockton ferry. You could also ride a loop or two on the Newcastle light rail. Low to the ground, the light rail is easy to roll prams and strollers on and off and you’ll end up at Newcastle Beach. Here’s How to Enjoy a Family Day Out on Public Transport in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
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