Top parks for kids

Yarra Bend Park  in Kew, inner east Melbourne, has the Flying-fox Walk from Bellbird Picnic Area, an excellent place to watch Melbourne’s flying-fox colony in their natural habitat. It is a short easy walk and there is plenty to learn from the interpretive signs along the way.

Williams Ricketts Sanctuary in Mount Dandenong, east of Melbourne is home to more than 90 clay sculptures of Aboriginal figures and native animals among the rainforest. An audio tour of the sanctuary is available online for the wee ones.

Buchan Caves in Buchan, East Gippsland, the caves have an impressive system with stalactites and stalagmites which are sure to wow the kids. There are cave tours, facilities for swimming, camping and other accommodation.

Whether it's a couple of hours or a couple of days - Victoria's family friendly parks mean there is no excuse for kids not spend quality time outdoors. 

 Make & Do Activities

The Junior Rangers program is for children aged 6 to 12.  During school holidays, there are guided Junior Ranger activities in many parks across Victoria and a whole range of Make & Do print-out activities for families to use whenever they want.

• Discover the Maribyrnong River – Brimbank Park Adventure Trail
• Discovery Activity Booklet - Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
• Hunting for History – Werribee Mansion
• Terrific Trees – Werribee Park Adventure Trail
• Pirates of the Prom – Wilsons Promontory National Park
• Where Am I? - Wonthaggi State Coal Mine Adventure Trail

Five best playscapes in parks

Brimbank Park: Just a short drive from the heart of Melbourne is the Maribyrnong Valley Parklands featuring Brimbank Park. Kids will love the variety of outdoor activities within the peaceful parklands surrounded by spectacular birdlife. The Brimbank Park Playscape is a haven for creative play that will inspire children and their families to connect with nature as they play, explore and socialise in the outdoors. The playscape has been designed specifically to create opportunities for children of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs, to join with their families to have fun in the park.

Braeside park: Located in the South-East suburbs, 30 kilometres from Melbourne is Braeside Park. An oasis of parkland in suburbia, this is a great park for a family day out with the adventure playground to keep the kids happy, barbecues and a picnic area, seven kilometres of easy walking and cycling trails and peaceful wetlands that are home to an array of local wildlife.

Albert Park: Melbourne's inner-south Albert Park is a popular spot for all kinds of outdoor activities. The community playground on the western side of Aughtie Drive is great for children of all ages and abilities, as parts of the playground and nearby facilities are wheelchair accessible. Throughout Albert Park are a range of playgrounds, ovals, restaurants and a five kilometre walking and running track. Visitors can enjoy a barbecue or picnic with the family and keep an eye out for the many birds on the lake.

Jells Park: Nestled in the Dandenong Creek Valley, Wheelers Hill, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. There are over nine kilometres of walking and cycling paths and over 127 hectares of open space with many barbecue and picnic areas. Visitors can relax under the shade of the Pines, enjoy the lake views at the Elms, or watch the children enjoying the playground at Yabbie Hill

Westfords Park: Nestled in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne next to the Yarra River, Westerfolds Park is perfect for walking, cycling and canoeing. There’s an adventure playground for the kids and plenty of space for walks and bike rides. Wildlife is everywhere to kids who love animals should be sure to keep an eye out.

Parks for the little people

Long weekends and school holidays are perfect for children to appreciate the wonders of nature and the big outdoors.