5 imaginative playgrounds to visit with kids in Sydney

The life sized animal sculptures are the big drawcard at John Wearn Reserve. Kids can spot animals around the safari themed playground, then head off to climb, swing and slide.

There’s more beyond the playground too, with a skate park, basketball court and open space. It’s a good option when you’re bringing children with different interests.

Good to know: There are toilets, BBQs, picnic tables, drinking fountains and a car park. The playground is partially fenced.

The Mum Map tip: Pack lunch if you want to make a longer visit of it. There’s enough around the reserve to combine playground time with a picnic.

Giant fruit and farm themed equipment make Robert Pymble Park a fun one for younger kids. The design takes its inspiration from the area’s history as a fruit farm.

There’s a tractor to climb aboard, fruit shaped play features and climbing equipment, along with a little riding circuit for bikes and scooters.

The fully fenced playground is particularly handy with toddlers and preschoolers who like to move between activities.

Good to know: There’s seating and space for a picnic in the surrounding park.

The Mum Map tip: Bring the scooter or balance bike. The riding circuit gives little ones something extra to do between turns on the playground.

The giant caterpillar is an easy favourite at St Ives Village Green, but there’s plenty more to explore.

Younger kids can enjoy the smaller play equipment, while confident climbers can tackle the tall tower and twisting slide. Swings, spinning equipment and climbing activities make this a useful option for families with children of different ages.

St Ives Shopping Village is nearby, so coffee or lunch is easy to add to the outing.

Good to know: There’s parking nearby, with more activities around the Village Green, including a skate park.

The Mum Map tip: Allow time for both the caterpillar and the larger climbing equipment. If you’re bringing kids of different ages, they may want to spend time in different parts of the playground.

If your child loves planes, put Lyne Park on your list. Its flying boat play structure is a nod to Rose Bay’s aviation history, with plenty of opportunities to climb aboard and take the controls.

The fully fenced playground also has a double flying fox, swings, water play, a sensory walkway and nature play areas.

There’s a working seaplane base nearby too, so you might spot real planes taking off or landing during your visit.

Good to know: There are public toilets, nearby parking, shaded areas and cafés around the foreshore.

The Mum Map tip: Pack a change of clothes for the water play and leave a little time to watch the seaplanes.

Wahroonga Park is a lovely option for a playground visit with a picnic or coffee afterwards.

The little train play structure gives transport loving kids somewhere to climb aboard and pretend they’re collecting passengers. There’s also a pirate ship, slides, swings and a mini flying fox.

Beyond the playground, you’ll find established trees, gardens and lawns, with Wahroonga village close by for food and coffee.

Good to know: The main playground is fenced, with some swings outside the enclosure. Toilets, drinking water and seating are available in the park.

The Mum Map tip: Bring a picnic rug and make use of the lawns after the kids have finished playing.

For animal lovers, start with John Wearn Reserve. Robert Pymble Park is a good choice for little ones who enjoy farm play and scooters, while St Ives Village Green has more adventurous climbing.

Lyne Park pairs planes with water play, and Wahroonga Park is an easy choice for train loving toddlers and a picnic.