Looking for ways to keep your toddler entertained? The toddler years are full of both joys and challenges. Toddlers enjoy engaging activities and interesting excursions to keep them entertained without overwhelming their short attention spans. Here’s some fun, local activities perfect for toddlers in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Visit a toddler-friendly playground
There are loads of parks and playgrounds in the local area. Fenced playgrounds that offer shade, age-appropriate equipment, soft ground coverings and low-to-the-ground climbing structures are perfect for toddlers.
Check out the Newy with Kids list of Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter. You’ll find a description of each one and the fenced playgrounds are highlighted in the article.
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Catch up with a friend for a coffee while your toddler plays. Here’s a list of playgrounds with nearby cafes. Our picks for toddlers are Empire Park in Bar Beach, Gillieston Heights Playground in Gillieston Heights and Toronto Foreshore Playground inToronto.
Enjoy a day out on public transport
Who doesn’t love a ride on a train or ferry? Take your toddler for a fun outing on public transport. The Stockton Ferry is a short trip across Newcastle Harbour from Queens Wharf to Stockton and back again.
The Newcastle Light Rail is another short trip, with only six stops, and it’s easy to roll a stroller or wheelchair on and off. Read the Newy with Kids article How to Enjoy a Family Day Out on Public transport in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter for more inspiration.
Go for a walk with your toddler
With their little legs, take your toddler for a short walk. Not only will they enjoy being outdoors, it will tire them out! Choose flat sections of the Bathers Way such as Bar Beach or Merewether, Queens Wharf to Honeysuckle, the Lambton Park circuit or short parts of the Warners Bay to Speers Point walk. Here’s a list of Family Walks in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter.
Sign up for a children’s program at your local library
Introduce your child to the wonderful world of books with library programs specifically for toddlers. All local libraries, including Newcastle Libraries, Lake Mac Libraries and Maitland Libraries organise programs for toddlers.
Rock and Rhyme Time is a program run by Newcastle Libraries specifically for ages 1-3 and includes songs, nursery rhymes, dancing, music, stories and fun! Most of the libraries also have special baby packs for parents to borrow.
See our article for a for a full list of fun and educational baby and kids programs at your local library. Build your toddler’s at-home library with our pick of our favourite books to read to babies and toddlers.
Enjoy an outdoor scavenger hunt together
You don’t need to venture far from your house to find a fun activity to do with your toddler. Get outdoors and explore your backyard with a scavenger hunt. We’ve put together a list of things for you and your kids to find. Download it here. Print it off and let your toddler check each item off or keep it on your phone.
Attend a class with your toddler
Enrol your toddler in a class. There’s heaps to choose from including Baby Sensory, Kindergym and Music classes.
In addition to all the benefits they’ll receive from the class, it’s also an opportunity for you both to socialise and meet new friends. Here’s a list of baby and toddler classes in the region.
Visit the animals at Blackbutt Reserve
A visit to Blackbutt Reserve is always a great day out! There’s koalas, emus, wallabies, wombats, peacocks and more for little ones to marvel at. A series of boardwalks make it easy to push a stroller and let toddlers view the creatures in the enclosures.
The Bower Bird Playground at Carnley Reserve is perfect for ages 2-10, but toddlers will also love the Adventure Playground at Richley Reserve. Entry to Blackbutt Reserve is free but there is a charge for parking. For more information see our article Blackbutt Reserve: Everything You Need to Know for a Great Visit.
Here are more places you can see Animals Up Close in the Newcastle & Hunter Region.
Join a playgroup
Joining a playgroup is a great way for you and your toddler to have fun together and meet new friends.
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.
Engage your toddler in some water play
When it’s hot, engage your toddler in some water play. Turn the sprinkler on and let them run through it or set up a sponge toss. For more water play ideas here are 25 water play activities to do with kids all summer long.
Socialise with other parents/carers and their toddler
Creating a support network of friends is so important in those early years of parenting. If you are feeling lonely or struggling to meet other parents here are 8 easy ways to make friends with other parents.
Once you’ve found your people, try these ideas for socialising: 10 activities to do with your mothers group in Newcastle and best picnic spots to meet up with friends in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Cessnock areas.
Visit the Toy Library at New Lambton Library
Try out and take home some new toys for your toddler 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.
Take your toddler to a family movie session
Take your toddler to see their first movie. Family movie sessions cater to a younger audience and usually include no ads, limited trailers, dimmed lights and lowered sound. Here are 9 places to see a family movie with your kids in the Newcastle region.
Set up some play-based activities at home
Play is the most valuable form of learning and toddlers will benefit from at-home play-based activities. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, these 5 play-based activities for babies and toddlers are easy to set up, using items you are likely to have already.
Take your toddler to an indoor play centre
Air-conditioned, indoor play centres are a great option during the week when it’s hot or raining. Toddlers can play in age-appropriate, soft play areas while parents enjoy a coffee or catch-up.
Here’s a list of indoor kids play centres in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter. Our pick for toddlers are EMF jnr at Westfield Kotara, Chameleon Play Cafe at Cessnock, Kids World Playland at East Maitland and Spirited Play Cafe at Taylors Beach.
Enjoy the outdoors with your toddler at Hunter Wetlands Centre
Explore nature at the Hunter Wetlands Centre. It’s a great place for toddlers to connect with nature including reptiles, discovery playground, sensory trail and Magpie Geese feeding. Entry to the Hunter Wetlands Centre is free for kids under 3.
Dine out at a local cafe or restaurant where kids eat free
Enjoy lunch or dinner at a toddler-friendly cafe or restaurant. Here’s a list of family-friendly spots with playgrounds and kids areas. Toddlers can be fussy when it comes to food so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money here’s a list of local venues where kids eat free.
Head to the beach, pool or water park
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.
Toddlers also love a water park. Here are seven places you can take kids to play in a water park in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley region.
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.
Visit a playground at an indoor shopping centre
Let your toddler play in one of the playgrounds inside a local shopping centres. Charlestown Square has an indoor playground on Level 2 for kids aged 1 to 6. It’s conveniently located near children’s shops and a cafe.
Westfield Kotara has Playworld on Level 2 next to Target and Gumnut Playworld on Level 3 The Rooftop near Kinn Thai.
At Stockland Greenhills kids can play in The Enchanted Forest Play Area, inspired by East Maitland’s Historical Flora and Fauna.
Bunnings also have fenced indoor play areas as well as a café so you can entertain your toddler and grab a coffee.
You can also visit your local Maccas or Hungry Jacks with an indoor playground and let the kids play while you enjoy a coffee and/or a snack.
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