Activities You Can Do with a Toddler in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter

Need help entertaining a toddler? The toddler years can be fun as well as challenging. Toddlers enjoy interesting excursions to keep them entertained, but ones that aren’t too long for their short attention spans. Here’s some fun, local activities you can do with a toddler 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.

You might also like Parks & Playgrounds with Shade in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter and Playgrounds with All-Abilities Equipment in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.

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, Bar Beach, Gillieston Heights Playground, Gillieston Heights and Toronto Foreshore Playground, Toronto.

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.

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 10 top books to read to toddlers.

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.

Toddlers will love getting up close to reptiles at the reptile show, held at 11am on Saturdays, or watching the animals get fed at ‘feeding time’.

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.

You can introduce your toddler to even more animals at Oakvale Wildlife Park or Hunter Valley Wildlife Park (admission fees apply).

Join a playgroup

Playgroup is an informal session where mums, dads, grandparents, caregivers, children and babies meet in a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy crafts, songs, and other kid-friendly activities.

Joining a playgroup is a great way for you and your toddler to have fun together and meet new friends. Join a local playgroup in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter. Here’s a list of playgroups in the Newcastle region.

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 LGA.

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 or pool

In summer, take little ones down to the beach. The Canoe Pool at Newcastle Beach, the shallow area at Merewether Ocean Baths and Grannies’ Pool at Blacksmiths Beach are ideal spots to take toddlers.

Here are 15 of Newcastle Rrgion’s best beaches and ocean baths for kids and families. If you would 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 Aquatic Centre.

Some helpful links for parents/carers of toddlers:

Find an After-Hours Chemist in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter

Playgrounds with All-Abilities Equipment in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter

50 Fun Activities for Grandkids & Grandparents in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter