Parramatta families are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor play. With World Heritage-listed parkland, water playgrounds, nature reserves and quiet neighbourhood green spaces all within a few minutes of the CBD, there is always somewhere new to explore with your little ones.
At Kiddie Garden Childcare Parramatta, many of our families ask us which local parks are best for toddlers and preschool-aged children. It is a fair question. Not every playground suits every age group, and knowing which parks have fenced areas, water play, toilets and shade can make the difference between a great morning out and a stressful one.
Here is our guide to the best parks and playgrounds in Parramatta and North Parramatta for children aged roughly 1 to 6, starting with the spots closest to our centre and working outward.
1. Ollie Webb Reserve
Where: 37A Glebe Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Best for: Ages 2 to 10. Excellent all-rounder for toddlers through to school-aged children.
One of the most popular playgrounds in the City of Parramatta, and it is easy to see why. The play zone is fenced, which is a big win for parents with toddlers who like to make a break for it.
There is a lot happening here. Two separate water play sections with interactive jets and splash areas under shade cloths are brilliant on warm days (bring towels and a change of clothes). A climbing rope tower with an enclosed slide suits preschoolers who enjoy a challenge, while embankment slides let younger children climb grassy slopes and slide down at their own speed. In-ground trampolines are always a favourite with the 2 to 5 age group. Music chimes, sandpits, tunnels, accessible swings and standard swings round out the play options.
The inclusive design means there are accessible swings, adult change facilities, a hoist, accessible parking and drop-off areas. A circuit path around the playground is great for prams, balance bikes and scooters.
BBQs, picnic zones, shaded seating, water fountains and toilets are all on site. A skate park is also on site for older siblings. This is one of those parks where you can genuinely spend the whole morning.
2. Paperbark Playground, Parramatta Park
Where: Pavilion Flat, near the George Street Gatehouse, O’Connell Street entrance, Parramatta Park
Best for: Ages 18 months to 8. A top pick preschoolers and older children. Not suitable for babies who are not yet walking.
This is the playground we recommend most to Kiddie Garden families, and it is only about five minutes’ walk from our centre through the George Street Gatehouse entrance.
Built in 2019 as part of the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play initiative, Paperbark Playground is designed so toddlers and older children abilities can join in. The whole space is made from beautiful natural wood, and the play huts are designed to mimic the size of the convict huts that once stood on this very site.
The sand and water play zone is the real star for younger children. Little ones can spend a long time pouring sand through the sand silo, turning spinning wheels on the water and sand mill, filling buckets and channelling water through connected troughs. It is messy, absorbing play that children aged 1 to 5 absolutely love. You may want to bring a change of clothes!
The Explorer Dome is a large climbing structure made of nets, ropes, ladders and tunnels. Preschoolers who love to climb will enjoy working their way up and through the structure, while younger toddlers can explore the lower sections at their own pace. There is also a climbing ramp and a small slide for children who are not quite ready for ladders yet.
Swings include a joey swing (also called a tandem or Expression Swing) where a parent and toddler can swing face-to-face, a bucket swing for babies and early toddlers, and a large Flying Saucer Basket swing that a few children can pile onto at once. A carousel, music chimes, a babel drum, talking tubes and timber balancing beams round out the play options. A scooter and bike track loops around the outside of the playground, which is great for children practising their balance bike or first pedals.
Key details:
- Softfall pavement throughout
- Fenced along the creek side
- Free 2P parking nearby. Spots fill quickly, and make sure you pay, as it is monitored.
- Toilets on site – although they are a bit of a walk from the play equipment and you will queue up during busy times
- Picnic shelters available for hire
- Pram accessible
3. Domain Creek Playground, Parramatta Park
Where: Westmead side of Parramatta Park, opposite the Queens Road Gatehouse
Best for: Ages 2 to 10. Great for preschoolers who are ready for a bit more adventure.
The second of the two Parramatta Park playgrounds sits on the Westmead side, and it is the more adventurous of the two.
The flying fox is always popular with preschoolers and early primary-aged children who love the thrill of holding on and soaring along the cable. In-ground trampolines are a hit with toddlers and preschoolers alike, and because they sit at ground level there is very little fall risk for smaller children still finding their feet. Slides of different heights give children options depending on their confidence level.
The surrounding park offers sealed off-road paths that are perfect for cycling, scooting and balance bikes. You could easily combine a visit here with a walk through the parklands to spot birds, cross footbridges and explore the wide-open spaces along Domain Creek.
BBQs and picnic shelters on site, some can be hired, others available on a first come first served basis. There is free parking at the Queens Road entrance and pram-friendly paths throughout the park.
4. James Ruse Reserve Water Playground
Where: Corner of Harris and Hassall Streets, Parramatta NSW 2150
Best for: Water playground suits ages 1+. Dry playground best for ages 3 to 10.
This is the largest water playground in and around the City of Parramatta, and on a warm day it is the place to be. The water park operates September to May, 9am to 8pm. Children press a button to activate the fountains, tipping buckets and water jets on a colourful non-slip surface under shade cloths.
Toddlers love the tipping buckets and gentle fountains, while older preschoolers enjoy running through the jets and trying to dodge the spray. The dry playground next to the water area has a farming theme inspired by James Ruse, a First Fleet convict who became one of Sydney’s first successful farmers on this very land. Children can climb a large rope frame with a rope bridge, slide down mound slides, ride on chicken rockers and spot the metal pig and corn stalk sculptures dotted around the site. Two skate parks are on site for older children and siblings.
Unfortunately, it is not fenced, but a low-level log fence provides a barrier from the road. BBQs, picnic shelters and tables are on site. Temporary toilets currently available (a permanent amenity building is under construction). Metered parking on Hassall Street. Walking distance from the Parramatta Light Rail and CBD. Very popular on weekends and school holidays, so arrive early for parking.
5. Jubilee Park
Where: Parkes Street (entry also via Jubilee Lane), Parramatta NSW 2150
Best for: Ages 2 to 6. A calm, nature-based playground ideal for toddlers and younger preschoolers.
A lovely green oasis tucked into the Parramatta CBD, Jubilee Park is one of those quiet gems that works beautifully for younger children. The playground was upgraded in late 2016 and features mostly wooden play equipment with a nature-based feel.
Children love the water pump table where they can pump water and watch it flow, the small maze that is just the right scale for toddlers and preschoolers to navigate, and a little creek bed with a bridge that invites imaginative play. The wooden climbing equipment is low to the ground and well suited to children aged 2 to 6 who are building confidence with climbing, balancing and sliding. There is also open green space with beautiful trees that older children love to climb.
This is a great option when you want something peaceful and close to the CBD. Several cafes are within a short walk, including Lil Miss Collins around the corner and Macchina on Wentworth Street. Walking distance from the Parramatta transport interchange.
Limited natural shade over the play equipment itself (surrounding trees and buildings provide some), so mornings or late afternoons are best on hot days. There are no dedicated toilets at the park – the closest are a 650m walk to Parramatta train station.
6. Lake Parramatta Reserve
Where: Entry via Lackey Street (off Bourke Street), North Parramatta NSW 2151
Best for: Ages 18 months to 5 years for the playground. All ages for the lake, bushwalks and nature play.
Lake Parramatta Reserve is a different kind of outing altogether. Just a few minutes’ drive north of the CBD via James Ruse Drive, this natural bushland reserve feels like it belongs in the Blue Mountains rather than inner-western Sydney.
The playground itself is small to medium-sized with swings, a climbing play gym with slide, monkey bars and a liberty swing (accessible swing). It is partially fenced and sits under natural tree shade, making it a comfortable spot even on warmer days. Best suited to toddlers and younger preschoolers aged roughly 18 months to 5 years.
The real magic here is everything around the playground. Children can feed the ducks, walk the child-friendly bushwalks around the lake (not pram-friendly but okay for confident walkers), explore the bush setting and collect sticks and leaves as they go. Swimming is available in the lake when lifeguards are on duty (weekends and school holidays, late October to early April). Paddle boats can be hired for a fun family activity.
For toddlers and preschoolers who spend their weekdays in a childcare environment, the unstructured nature play on offer here is a wonderful complement. Walking on uneven ground, stepping over roots, crouching under branches and exploring different textures all contribute to physical confidence and balance in ways that flat playground surfaces do not.
On-site cafe, toilets, BBQs, picnic shelters and parking. A lovely spot for a weekend morning or a school holiday adventure.
7. Belmore Park (Richie Benaud Oval)
Where: Corner of Castle Street and Pennant Hills Road, North Parramatta NSW 2151
Best for: Ages 2 to 7. A quiet neighbourhood playground for younger children.
If the bigger destination playgrounds feel too busy or overwhelming for your little one, Belmore Park is a calmer alternative in North Parramatta. Nestled under mature trees with natural dappled shade, the playground has swings (including a toddler bucket swing), a slide with climbing access, climbing equipment that is a manageable scale for younger children, and rockers.
The park is named after legendary cricketer Richie Benaud, who grew up in North Parramatta and attended nearby Burnside Public School. The oval alongside the playground is used for cricket in summer and soccer in winter, so there is often a game to watch while the children play. Cricket nets nearby give older children something extra to do.
It is not fenced but set well back from the road. Synthetic grass and bark ground surfaces. A gazebo with tables overlooks the playground, which is handy for morning tea or a small birthday gathering. There is a toilet block on site, but it’s generally only open during sporting events.
The park is currently receiving a major upgrade under a $10 million Belmore Park Masterplan. Stage one includes a new district-level playground, loop path, sports pavilion, turf wicket and lighting, and is expected to be completed by early 2027. It will be well worth revisiting once the new playground is built.
8. Parramatta River Foreshore Playground
Where: Between Riverside Theatres and Parramatta Ferry Wharf, along the northern bank of Parramatta River
Best for: Ages 4+. Not recommended for toddlers or early walkers.
A quick note on this one: the River Foreshore Playground is a fantastic spot, but it is built for older and more confident children. The equipment is set into the steep slopes of the riverside walk and includes a climbing wall, a steep rope net, a long fast slide and a rope bridge. It is exciting for children aged 4 and up who enjoy a physical challenge, but the terrain and height of the equipment make it unsuitable for toddlers.
The playground is not fenced and sits close to the river, so close supervision is essential at all times. A sand and water play area at the base of the playground offers something gentler for younger children, but overall this is one for the bigger kids in the family.
That said, the riverside walk itself is a beautiful outing for families with prams. The pavement art along the foreshore tells the history of Parramatta, and you can walk from here through to Parramatta Park. Cafes and the Barry Wilde Bridge water fountain feature are nearby. Toilets are located at Parramatta Wharf.
Making the Most of Parramatta's Outdoor Spaces
Living in Parramatta means your children have access to some of the best outdoor play spaces in Western Sydney. From the sand and water wonderland of Paperbark Playground to the bushland adventures of Lake Parramatta Reserve, there is something for every age, every stage and every kind of day.
A few tips from our experience at Kiddie Garden:
Pack for water play. Several of these playgrounds have water features, and children will get wet. A change of clothes, a small towel and a hat will save you a soggy car trip home.
Go early. The most popular playgrounds (Ollie Webb Reserve and James Ruse Reserve in particular) fill up quickly on weekends and school holidays. An early morning arrival usually means easy parking and first pick of the swings.
Combine play with a walk. Parramatta Park, the River Foreshore and Lake Parramatta Reserve all offer walking paths that connect to the playground areas. Even a short walk before or after playground time helps children wind down and take in the world around them.
Let your child lead. Every child develops at their own pace, and the beauty of these playgrounds is that most of them offer equipment across a range of challenge levels. A two-year-old exploring the sand and water area at Paperbark Playground is getting just as much out of the experience as a five-year-old scaling the Explorer Dome.
If you are looking for a childcare centre that values outdoor play, creative exploration and the kind of hands-on learning that builds confidence for the playground and beyond, we would love to show you around Kiddie Garden. Contact us to book a tour and see how our preschool program prepares children for all the adventures that Parramatta has to offer.
Kiddie Garden is an independently owned long day care centre at 1 Grose Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, caring for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. We are a one-minute walk from the Parramatta Light Rail and proudly serve families in Parramatta, North Parramatta, Westmead, Harris Park, Rosehill and surrounding suburbs.