Don Bosco St Marys

My most exciting most recent find has definitely been Don Bosco at St Marys. I was aware of how great it is for parties, but for some reason I only recently became aware of their free open sessions. You can check for times on their website here. Just make sure you check the times and ages, most of their sessions are aimed at kids over 10 years of age which I think is great, our teenagers do not have enough safe free activities to access.

I frequently take my kids to the under 10s sessions though, and as well as being indoors the bathrooms are super clean, and they are happy for you to bring in your own food. There is a canteen there but you really need gold coins to access it, there is also bubbler with water. They have trampolines, pool tables, foosball, pingpong tables and soccer, basketball and volleyball facilities. There are usually some balls floating around, and the pool tables/ping pong etc. all have the paddles and balls and cues that they need to be played. There is seating all up the southern side of the building for parents to sit while kids play.

They have a free session for under 10s every Saturday morning from 10am until 11:30am, honestly this is my new go to for play dates with school friends. There are different (more) times for school holidays, and different times for over 10s. The first week of school term, the week of Christmas/New Years, and the first three weeks of Term 1 they are closed. Don’t try and park next to Don Bosco in their parking lot though, it is tiny, it is hard (and dangerous) to try and get back out onto Mamre Road, and you have to walk around the entire building to enter. Go to the next driveway which is the entry to the Council halls and park there.

 

HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre

I finally made the effort to find the play area inside of HomeCo. at Glenmore Park. It is air conditioned, next to the toilets, and because the food court has very few places left (other than the Coffee Club which has it’s own seating) there are plenty of places for observing adults to sit and chat. It is across from the Coles and right next to a lovely place where I bought delicious gozleme.

This is for younger children, but enough to amuse my Miss 5 and probably my Miss 7 (though she wasn’t with us). Because it is tucked in such an odd space, or odd while the food court isn’t really being used, I cannot imagine it getting crowded.

 

The Valley Junction Cafe, Caddens

If you are looking for some food, or an indoor play area, then The Valley Junction Cafe is one possibility. They have a play area that is inside the cafe, so you can see the kids while trying to relax. It is definitely aimed at younger children, but my seven year old is harassing me to take her there so I guess it depends on your child. The food here is delicious. You will have access to toilets.

Where is it?

It is located within the Caddens Corner shopping complex, which is at 68 O’Connell Street in Kingswood, NSW.

 

O'Donaghues, Emu Plain

As the weather was suspect today I decided to try an indoor park. When we arrived shortly after 11:30am on a Saturday the play area was already teaming with kids if all ages and the bistro was in full swing. The play area is undercover but on a Saturday if you want a table near it you need to book.

As the play area is enclosed I don't necessarily know what is in there but there is definitely a slide. The kids that I had there with me were ages 5 through 8, but there were some younger children and some older children in there too. There were also paid arcade style machines inside the play area, just a heads up in case that is an issue for your kids.

The bistro could have been more polite when I was trying to find egg free options due to an allergy, but the food was delicious and I felt reasonably priced. My mother is a vegetarian and there were lots of options for her, which is unusual. The menu also listed vegan, gluten free and dairy free options.

 

Bunnings playground, Homemaker Centre, Jamisontown

This is hands down my absolute favourite, and often my children ask for it too. It is indoors, the staff are lovely, you can sit in the outdoor furniture section if you have no intention of spending any money, it is indoors, it has bathrooms, and on weekend in the mornings sometimes there is craft. The cafe has really cheap food and good coffee. Obviously there is a big slide and lots of climbing opportunities, there is a pretend cafe, an abacus and some of those play things on a wall that are good for toddlers.