35 Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne

Melbourne has a brilliant range of playgrounds and we've put together a list of the best playgrounds for pre-schoolers. Older kids in the family will also find these playgrounds interesting.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne South East

Bicentennial Park Playground (Chelsea)


A totally delightful play space with lots of whimsical and fun elements for all ages. There are two big mound slides which are not too fast, a Smurf village with a music hut, story hut and play hut complete with a mooing cow in the middle of the village, shaded sand pit, Tinkerbelle sand pit, a giant basket swing, Mount Chelsea Express train and picnic facilities including toilets.

Carrum Foreshore Playground (Carrum)


A beautifully crafted beachside playground which is a huge sandpit perfect for toddlers with a seaside theme. There is a wharf protruding out from the decking, lighthouse, speedboat on rockers with seats for two drivers and two potentially sea-sick passengers (depending on how heavy the sea is) as it speeds across the sandy expanse, sand play equipment, diggers, birds nest swing, spinning cup with hand wheel and a beautiful simple labyrinth decorated with sea creatures where you can seek out the treasure trove. Picnic facilities including toilets. The playground has a lovely white picket fence along the street but there is open access to the beach via the Surf Life Saving Club area.

Jells Park Yabbie Hill Playspace (Wheelers Hill)


A wonderful $3 million all-abilities, nature based playspace in the huge Jells Park. Features include a truly marvellous ceramic map of the area, 'The Pinnacles' which are a series of vertical rock walls with endearing etchings of kangaroos performing their daily activities, platypus sculpture, metal frame cubbies, in-ground trampolines, birds nest swing, spinning carousel which has a seat and standing area, giant yabbie, panels which describe the sound which different birds make and a huge sandpit where a giant turtle has laid some giant eggs, water pump and sand and water play tables. There are picnic facilities, toilets and Madelines at Jells cafe where you can stop for a bite to eat or drink.

Murrumbeena Park Playground (Murrumbeena)


Huge playground with a range of interesting play and visual elements for all ages. There is a main wooden structure, a smaller, lower structure for younger kids, birds nest swing, huge atom shaped rope climbing frame, labyrinth of poles with winding path which leads to a giant snail (the size that requires a truckload of Defender) and a musical instrument, bridge with lovely wooden carvings, see-saw, log stumps to jump across, seven swings of different types and wooden cubby. Picnic facilities and toilets but not totally securely fenced.

Harleston Park Playground (Elsternwick)


A wonderful playground where one fun area merges into the next. Harleston Park has always had a signature slide and there is a big metal slide from the top of a mound doesn't disappoint. For younger kids there is a large sandpit surrounded by stepper logs with a lovely wooden play structure in the middle of the sandpit which has sand play equipment and a small slide. There is a spinning carousel where kids can either sit or stand, beautiful wooden bug springer, an equally beautiful bug see-saw, lovely percussion music area, carved totem poles, speak and listen system and a huge acorn cubby. Running along one side is a water play area where water bubbles out of a rock and runs down along a creek bed for about 20m before disappearing down a drain. Picnic facilities and toilets but not fenced.

Thomas Street South Reserve Playground (Hampton)


A wonderful playground for all ages with two climbing structures, in-ground trampolines, lots of swings, music zone, shaded water splash pad, huge set of plastic Sway seats, fun sandpit covered with a shade sail which has sand play tables and a water play area with a tap where the water runs down channels in some logs, cow seat and some giant vegetables, a treasure chest with gold coins spilling out and some weird and wonderful animal carvings, lookout area which has totem poles with bird and animal carvings and picnic facilities with toilets.

Phoenix Park Playground (Malvern East)


A wonderful wooden community built "fort" style playground next to the Phoenix Park Cafe. There are ten swings of various types and a large wooden structure which has many nooks, crannies and play areas including a sand pit.

Livvi's Place Casey Playground (Lyndhurst)


A fully fenced, all-abilities access playground with a very large sandpit which has a rope net climbing wall, wooden climbing wall and sand play tray, range of musical instruments, water play area and a big wide metal slide. Much of the playground is under shade sails. Picnic facilities and toilets.

Victory Park Playground (Chelsea)


The playground is located next to Chelsea beach and has a lighthouse with views across the bay. There is a huge sandpit with a wooden castle structure, two mechanical diggers and two swings with safety chains and also a low structure with a boat shape. Picnic facilities including toilets. The area is reasonably well protected by a fence but it is close to the water, so you will need to be vigilant if your kids tend to wander off and are attracted to the water.

Mentone Racecourse Reserve Playground (Mentone)


The playground is set on the site of the former Mentone racecourse and the playground has a horse racing theme throughout - in fact it is the Black Caviar of horse racing themed playgrounds. There is an ornamental lake with lots of water birds in the park plus horse springers, two large horses resting under a tree, birds nest swing, wooden walled maze and an elevated sandpit with two diggers and a rocky creek bed leading down to the lake with a musical turtle. Further around the lake is an area with four swings (including one with a harness), two stand-on spinners and a carousel. Picnic facilities including toilets.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne North East

Wombat Bend Playspace (Templestowe Lower)


A beautifully crafted, fully fenced playground next to the Yarra River with a variety of play equipment for different sizes and abilities. Highlights for younger kids include a wooden maze with mirrors and buttons to press, musical bridge, sandpit (with water pump), family sized see-saw, stand-on spinning disks, double slides down a small embankment, hidden cubby and a fantastic bat wing carousel with hanging seats which parents push around. The thrill of the ride depends on how energetic the parents are. You can try building your own cubby house from bush materials in the nature play area outside the fenced area. There are picnic facilities and toilets.

Bayswater Park Playground (Bayswater)


A super playground for all ages. Some highlights for younger kids are a full sized red steam engine with railway platform, two hippos lolling about in a rubber lake (Henrietta and Horatio), large sandpit with mechanical scoop, large goanna on a stump, fun painted murals, super bike training Area and picnic facilities with toilets.

Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Playspace (Blackburn)


The play space is centred around a huge turtle with a wooden structure lining two sides of the playground area. Part of this structure is lower for younger kids. Also a a large stand-on carousel, giant green grasshopper, birds nest swing, lovely xylophone, wooden mushrooms, embedded creatures in the logs, fossils embedded in the paths. and a sundial. Some tables and some toilets away from the playground area.

Montrose Community Playground (Montrose)


Lovely community playground which has good all abilities access in an Australian bush setting. A circular path leads past a series of shop fronts including the fire station. Also a huge lady-bug springer, four swings, birds nest swings, low structure for younger kids, four wheel bike springer, large bee springer and tractor springer. Picnic facilities, oval and toilets.

Lillydale Lake Playground (Lilydale)


The playground is set next to a lovely lake which is surrounded by a walking track, plenty of grassy areas to play, heaps of picnic shelters and tables, BBQs, toilets and water taps. On the weekend and holiday periods you'll generally find some food and coffee trucks in the car park. There is an extensive water play area, a tower with slide for younger kids, a wing shaped metal climbing frame which leads up to the beak of a big wooden bird, birds nest swing, big stand on carousel, expression swing (where parent and child sit opposite each other), some cute rocks with eyes, big sandpit with seal springer and a beautiful metal platypus climbing frame, a rocky stream with some sluice gates with a mushroom shaped tap to provide water and a sandpit.

Olinda Playspace (Olinda)


A fantastic regional play space nestled in a lovely location with great views across to Silvan Reservoir and bordered by trees and huge grassy areas. Plenty of play options for pre-schoolers including a large sandpit with two water play areas, massively sized frog, huge gecko, range of swings, some medium height tunnel slides, large spinning carousel, three in-ground trampolines, metal slide on the side of a little hill and two beautiful cubbies surrounded by toadstools. Throughout the area there are wonderful carvings of native animals and birds and other interesting artwork. Picnic facilities including toilets.

Halliday Park Playground (Mitcham)


The playground is based around some spreading oak trees which provides some shade around the colourful play equipment for younger kids including a low structure, swings, wooden hut frame with musical buttons on the floor, some logs with creatures encased in the surface, sit-on carousel, in-ground trampoline, huge birds nest swing, atom shaped rope climbing frame, hillock with climbing bumps on one side to help little kids reach the top and a small slide on the other side to get down plus a water feature with pump, water channel and two sluice gates. The playground is well landscaped with natural features and caters for all abilities with paths to all play equipment. Picnic facilities including toilets.

Diamond Creek Regional Playspace (Diamond Creek)


A brilliant nature themed playspace which fits beautifully into the surrounding natural parkland. There is something for all ages and abilities with a tram cafe perched above the playground. Beside the climbing area is a huge sandpit with a rock mound in the middle and lots of sand play equipment. One corner of the sandpit has a shelter with more sand play equipment and a water pump with a handle. There is also a set of shade sails under which is a wooden obstacle course with a tunnel. On the other side of the central grassy area is a cubby area for younger kids overlooked by a beautiful platypus sculpture. A ramp leads to an elevated platform with five cubbies on the sides, a metal slide and log bridge. There are picnic facilities and toilets.

Hays Paddock Playground (Kew East)


A lovely fenced playground with features such as many slides and swings, large butterflies flying above, large see-saw, ring of toadstools to jump across, springers and big sandpit with diggers, scoops and pulleys. There is partial shade over the main area from a butterfly roof structure and mature trees. The playground is in a lovely bushland setting with stands of eucalyptus trees. It is surrounded by huge grassy areas with picnic facilities and toilets.

Eltham North Reserve Playground (Eltham North)


The unique aspect of this playground is a huge shed with tractor and climbing areas which means there are play opportunities even in wet weather. Outside the shed there is a sandpit, dry creek bed with water play features and a town centre comprised of a number of colourful shops including a general store and ice-cream shop. There are plenty of picnic facilities including toilets. For refreshments and to see some farm animals, it is a short 50 metre walk to Edendale Community Environment Farm, where a cafe serves delicious food and drinks (entrance to the farm is free).

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne Inner North

Bundoora Park Play Space (Bundoora)


A play space for younger kids which is fully fenced and linked to a cafe with toilets. There are lots of fun elements including a wooden wall maze with things to find such as a horse, big sandpit with digger, huge scale bull-ants, large carousel where you stand and get pushed around, big red tractor with trailer, water tank with a ladder and slide, hammock, swings including one with a harness, lots of cute springers, mound with two sets of dual slides and water course area with bridges and a water pump. Next to the Bundoora Park Children's Farm.

Possum Hollow Park Playground (Heidelberg)


Fully fenced playground which is mainly suited to younger kids. There is a large circular central area with a sloping area on one side with ropes to help get up and down. This leads over a lovely high suspension bridge to two metal slides on another bank. There are two nice spinners for multiple kids at a time, four swings including one with a harness and one with a big plastic seat, picnic facilities, toilets and an on-site cafe.

Riverside Park Playground (Aberfeldie)


A nice location next to the Maribyrnong River. The highlight is a beautifully crafted Pirate ship named the "Black Sapphire". The ship is moored to a jetty in a sea of sand with access via a wooden bridge or thick rope bridge. There is a plank, three bells to ring, treasure map, cannons sticking out the side of the ship, telescopes and lovely big steering wheel. A great place for imaginative play. There is also an area with more traditional play equipment including a tower with a big tunnel slide. Picnic facilities including toilets.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne South West

Wyndham Park Playground (Werribee)


A fantastic play complex has been created at Wyndham Park along the Werribee River which includes an adventure playground, nature play area, multiple outdoor gyms, small skatepark, central lawn, display garden, toilets and lots of picnic facilities. One part of the playground is mainly suited to older kids while the area for younger kids has an elevated cubby house, tepees and a wonderful water play area.

Presidents Park Playground (Wyndham Vale)


A large adventure playground with a huge amount of play equipment including multiple slides, stepping stones, tunnels, crocodile, large Bertie the Beatle springer, music making activities, balance beams, twelve swings of different varieties, ride on bull made from suspended tyres, wooden train and large cubby house. Picnic facilities including toilets.

Maddingley Park Playground (Bacchus Marsh)


A community built adventure playground which is surrounded by a fence with a couple of places for entry/exit. There is a tangled mix of towers, nine swings, see-saw, wooden train and carriage, tunnels, lots of levels and nooks and crannies. Outside the fenced area is a big sandpit, picnic tables and toilets.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne North West

Navan Park Playground (Melton West)


A playground with extensive play equipment for all ages. Apart from the toddler play area area with a shop front, there is a large sandpit with a castle and lots of equipment for handling the sand such as scoops and conveyors. Picnic facilities, toilets, grassy play areas and a lake is 100m away.

Tenterfield Park Playground (Burnside Heights)


The playground with a "town" theme stacked full of interesting, colourful elements. The main structure is a big ramp with different fun panels on the sides and play items on the sides. There are lots of colourful little shops including the florist, bakery, hair-dresser, green grocer, show shop and service station. Also bird houses on top of poles, see-saw, wooden carvings of cars and trucks with steering wheels, cups to sit in and spin around and bike springers. Picnic facilities and located next to a long lake with plenty of water birds.

Brimbank Park Play Space (Keilor East)


A beautifully crafted play space with natural elements most suited for younger kids in a huge park. Climb up inside a huge artificial hollow tree stump and emerge out via a broken egg shell to survey the playground below. The main part of the play space is a maze of pebbled paths which lead to round areas with interesting mosaics, black and white cow seat, giant cheese, pea and tomatoes. Also a huge birds nest swing, large bee springer, rope cone which spins around, swings, giant platypus, play hut and delightful musical instruments. Picnic facilities, toilets and a cafe.

Alice's Playspace (St Albans)


A lovely fenced, all-abilities playspace which stretches along the side of an oval with a series of concrete paths and areas to provide access to all the equipment. A long rocky (and dry) river winds the entire length of the playground with a wooden boat and various bridges. Other fun elements are a big carousel, two cute springers, cups to sit in and spin around, four person springer, a circular in-ground trampoline with four segments, hand pump which pumps water out of huge frog's mouth and then flows down a curved drain and musical instruments. Picnic facilities but no toilets.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne Outer East

Minta Hilltop Fantasy Playground (Berwick)


The $3.5 million park was designed to bring many favourite childhood fairy tales to life. There is a big castle, various slides, sandpit with digger and sand play (under shade sails), multiple swings, bike path, picnic facilities and toilets.

The Old Cheese Factory Playground (Berwick)


A delightful playground with a farmyard theme situated on the grounds of an old homestead property. Throughout the playground there are black and white cows, cute sheep springers and an even cuter sheep dog springer with pink tongue hanging out, tractor, fun cone which spins around (with the input from a strong parent or group of kids), birds nest swing, cheese shop and bakery, Old Cheese Factory maze panel, cheese stepping stones, windmill perched on a hillock which overlooks the playground, lovely Secret Garden and picnic facilities.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne Outer North

Mill Park All Abilities Play Space (Mill Park)


A brilliant fully fenced, all-abilities playground which features multiple zones including a Junior zone with a fun wooden structure with three slides, boxes, climbing walls, ladders, bridges, ramps and steps and a cubby space underneath. Beside this structure is a big skewed house where all the weird angles gives your sense of balance a good working over. For the tiny tots there is another little structure with steering wheel, speak and listen system, climbing wall and little slide. The area also has a great buggy on springs, log steppers, Sway Glider rocker and fairy garden. The remainder of the playground has an excellent water play zone, play tower zone, nature play exploration zone, sandpit zone, swing zone and recreation zone.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne Central

Plum Garland Memorial Playground (Albert Park)


A fully fenced playground on the beach with a sand base and shade sails over some of the playground. There is a multi-level structure in a sandpit for hauling up sand in a scoop, digger, big sit-on carousel for lots of kids, birds nest swing, water play area and tiny toddler swing. There are toilets at the life saving club 100m away and a kiosk.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne Mornington Peninsula

Ryes Up! Community Playground


Located near the Rye Pier, this fantastic community playground has a wooden structure is in the shape of a huge ship packed with play equipment. The playground is fenced with an entrance area with a sea-horse motif. The whole playground has a nautical theme befitting the area and there are crabs, dolphins, fish, seaweed, starfish, divers and other sea creatures adorning the walls. There is an area with a range of swings including a birds nest swing. Apart from the main ship structure there is a smaller structure with a lighthouse which has a wide slide, walkway and tunnel. There are picnic facilities and toilets.

Sorrento Historic Park Playground (Sorrento)


A large wooden adventure playground set in a lovely grassy park dotted with shady trees and having breathtaking views across the bay (keep your eyes open for the ferries which pass by). The playground resembles a castle and promotes imaginative play. It is a maze of tunnels, play elements, slides, climbing nets, swings and sand pits. The park has picnic facilities and toilets. The playground is in a beautifully maintained park with grassy hills to roll down. Paths lead down the cliff to the sea walls where you can often see sting rays. The park is a real joy for kids and parents.

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35 Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000