Let's be real. Shopping with kids in tow can be a chore sometimes. Dragging them through the aisles of Coles or Woolworths is exhausting, not to mention the constant interruptions of "Mum, we really really NEED this!". But when a shopping centre blesses parents with a playground, it makes the whole ordeal more manageable.

We’ve found the best shopping centre playgrounds around Sydney, that’ll make shopping with kids A LOT easier (you're welcome). 

Best Indoor Playgrounds in Shopping Centres in Sydney

Eastern Suburbs

Vitaland Kids Cafe Alexandria

Located on level 1 in Alexandria's Homemaker Centre, Vitaland Kids Cafe is as fun as it is pretty (and for reference, it's really pretty.) This incredible indoor play centre is bursting with interactive ball pits, train rides, tunnels, activity walls, imaginative play stations, a merry-go-round and more. 
Location: Homemaker Centre, 49/59 O'Riordan St

Westfield Eastgardens

Westfield Eastgardens is the perfect place to tick off all your shopping errands with the kids in tow before rewarding them with some time to play. On level 3, there's the Kids Playworld that's designed for children aged two to six years, and it's open every day of the year.
Location: 152 Bunnerong Rd, Eastgardens

Bondi Play at Westfield Bondi Junction

With a mix of free play games including Ping Pong, air hockey and foosball plus a range of arcade games from Space Invaders to Halo, there’s something for everyone at Bondi Play on level 6 of Westfield Bondi Junction. 
Location: 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction

City

Broadway Shopping Centre

Designed for 6 years and under, the Broadway Shopping Centre Playground has recently received an upgrade and features some impressive new play equipment including rock climbing, two ropes courses, a spiral slide, a  soft play area, miniature trampolines, two climbing structures and sensory play spaces.
Location: 1 Bay St, Broadway

North Shore

Hornsby Westfield

Kiddo Kove is the newest kid on the indoor playground block at Hornsby Westfield. All the usual indoor play centre favourites are on offer at Kiddo Kove, including a mega ball pit, climbing structures, slides, imaginative play stations (complete with an ice cream van, mini market and mini kitchen) and sensory play stations. There is also a cafe on-site for parents, kids' birthday party rooms for hire and loads more!
Location: 236 Pacific Hwy, Hornsby

Chatswood Chase

On Level 4 (top-level) in the homewares precinct, you’ll find a Children’s ‘Playpod’ rather than a soft play area, where littlies can be entertained with six iPads and a large interactive touchscreen for games and puzzles.
Location: 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood

Chatswood Westfield

There's an ultra-fun Urban Escape Playground on level 3, near Din Tai Fung. Inspired by nature and the outdoors this space creates fun for all ages. With soft play, a treehouse and slide, this playground has been designed for kids between 1-8 years.
Location: 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood

Inner West

Ikea Tempe

Ikea is full of interesting things to see but kids may get bored after a while. Luckily, there’s Småland, Ikea’s free supervised play area – available for kids aged 3-10 for supervised one-hour sessions.
Location: Ikea Stores in Tempe, Marsden Park and Rhodes

Burwood Westfield 

Located on Level 2 near Woolworths is a free Kids Playworld area for all ages. The Mall also has special kids' events and competitions.
Location: 100 Burwood Rd, Burwood

Greater West

Ed.Square Town Centre

Ed.Square Town Centre has a brand new indoor children’s play area with two dedicated spaces for kids of all ages. The junior space for under fours boats a ‘Junior Cube’ with a crawl tube, vertical forest and activity wall plus an inclusive kaleidoscope cubby. Older children will love the hanging pods for endless climbing fun. There is also a mini trampoline, rock climbing wall and two additional slides in the area to keep everyone entertained.
Location: Ed.Square Shopping Centre, 52 Soldiers Parade, Edmondson Park

Primewest Auburn Megamall

Kids can play at the pirate-themed kids' space, located on Level 1, outside My Baby Warehouse and Smart Choice Furniture.
Location: 265 Parramatta Rd, Auburn

Parramatta Westfield

There are two Playworlds for kids at Parramatta Westfield. Outside Coles on Level 5, there's a large play area for kids and a smaller one on Level 4.
Location: 159-175 Church St, Parramatta    

Rouse Hill Town Centre

Rouse Hill Town Centre is loaded with free kid's entertainment. There’s an interactive play area for children in The Backyard, fitted with musical play areas, an environmental education trail and plenty of room for exploring, climbing and running, as well as a family respite area in The Play Terrace. 
Location: Windsor Rd and White Hart Dr, Rouse Hill

Lidcombe Centre 

Lidcombe Centre has an outdoor play area for children on the balcony area, conveniently near the Chow Bella Cafe and also an indoor play area on Level 1 outside Spotlight. 
Location: 92 Parramatta Rd, Lidcombe

Chouchou Bebe Adventure at Auburn Central Shopping Centre

Chouchou Bebe Adventure at Auburn Central Shopping Centre offers the ultimate indoor adventures. We’re talking about a trampoline area, LEGO room, free video games, a climbing play gym, astronaut dress-up and photo area, tube slide, ball pit with wall screen ball games and a whole lot more!
Location: Auburn Central Mall, 57/59 Queen St, Auburn

Macarthur Shopping Centre 

The farm-themed play zone, Paddock Play at the Macarthur Centre reflects the agricultural heritage of the Macarthur region and is super cute! 
Location: Gilchrist Drive, Campbelltown

Stocklands Merrylands 

At Stocklands Merrylands you'll find an indoor play area for children aged 3-12 years located on Level 1, near Big W.
Location: McFarlane St and Pitt St, Merrylands

Cuto Kids Cafe, Marina Square at Wentworth Point

Located at Marina Square in Wentworth Point, everyone's favourite play centre favourites are on offer at Cuto Kids Cafe including a ball pit, mega slides, kitchen and shopping experiences, imaginary play with dress-ups, baby play areas, birthday party spaces, onsite cafe and more! 
Location: Shop 310/5 Footbridge Bvd, Wentworth Point

Northern Beaches

Planet Mino Warringah Mall

The new Planet Mino at Warringah Mall brings just as many thrills and indoor fun as their Chatswood location with ball pits, cool slides, augmented reality walls, a baby ball pit, a construction zone, and an imaginary play space. 
Location: Shop 272, 145 Old Pittwater Rd, Brookvale

Dee Why Grand

At Dee Why Grand there’s a great free play area for kids under 5 years on the lower ground floor near the food court, open from 9 am - 5 pm every day.
Location: 15-18 Pacific Pde, Dee Why

Westfield Warringah Mall

There are a number of kid's play spaces at Westfield Warringah Mall, including bubs soft play on the Ground Level outside Mecca Maxima, a larger play space for all ages on the Ground Level outside Three Beans Cafe, plus, Warringah Mall is the first shopping centre to open a doggy playground!
Location: Condamine St and Old Pittwater Rd, Brookvale

Belrose Super Centre

Belrose Super Centre keeps kids entertained at their indoor playground on the top level next to the Terrace Food Court.
Location: 4/6 Niangala Cl, Belrose

Northwest Sydney

Top Ryde City

There are two free children’s play areas located on Level 1 at Top Ryde City. The 0-2 Play Zone is for the tiny tots who are just starting to explore while the larger playground (pictured above) is for the 3-12-year-olds.
Location: Devlin St and Blaxland Rd, Ryde

Tada Kids Cafe at Top Ryde City Shopping Centre

Located in Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, Tada Kids Cafe is one of the newer indoor play centres in Sydney and offers non-stop fun with 500 toys in their indoor playground, a kids' grocery store, a Lego room, arts and crafts space, a nutritious cafe, racing track and more!
Location: Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, 109-129 Blaxland Rd

Stanhope Village

There are two play areas at Stanhope Village, an indoor one for toddlers near the Leaf Cafe and an outdoor one for older children near Michel’s Patisserie.
Location: 2 Sentry Dr, Stanhope Gardens

Monkey Mania at Top Ryde City Shopping Centre

Monkey Mania in the Top Ryde City Shopping Centre offers an inflatable jumping castle, dedicated toddlers area, cannon foam ball arena, climbing structure, slides and electric kiddies go-karts and that all-important cafe for parents! 
Location: Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, 109-129 Blaxland Rd

Vitaland Kids Cafe Rhodes Waterside

If you're stopping in at Rhodes Waterside, make sure you make time for a pit stop at Vitaland Kids' Cafe. The chic pastel interiors are just the start of the awesomeness on offer - think incredible imaginative play, epic birthday parties, train rides, ice cream van and more!
Location: Rhodes Waterside, 1 Rider Blvd, Rhodes 

H'ome at Rhodes Central

Another top spot if you're out and about in Ryde, H'ome Kids Cafe at Rhodes Central is quickly becoming one of our favourite indoor play centres in a shopping centre, complete with an epic golden carousel and so many other fun things to explore! 
Location: Rhodes Central, 6 Walker St, Rhodes

Sutherland Shire

Vitaland Kids Cafe Miranda

Are you sensing a theme, here?! Located on the ground floor of Miranda Westfield, the possibilities for fun at Vitaland Kids Cafe are endless. Kids will let their imaginations soar as they explore every nook and cranny of this incredible play centre. Whether they're sliding down slides, navigating through tunnels, or engaging in imaginative play, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Location: Miranda Westfield, 600 Kingsway, Miranda

Miranda Westfield

There are two indoor play areas at Miranda Westfield—one on level 1, and an additional play area at Westfield Miranda on Level 3 near Target, which is a fun, garden-themed soft play and climb and slide structure.
Location: 600 Kingsway, Miranda        

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