Our Kid-Friendly Guide to Sydney❜s Inner West

 Not just the home of smashed avos and hipsters, Sydney's Inner West is one of the best locations in Sydney for families. Why? There's an eclectic and amazing number of things to do in Sydney's Inner West with kids.

During my pregnancy 10 years ago, a well-meaning friend announced that I should move to the 'burbs. That's where, she said, I'd meet other families and find family-friendly activities by the truckload. I knew it then, as well as I do now, there's no better place than Sydney's Inner West to raise a family.

So, what are kid-friendly things to do in Sydney's Inner West? It's all here!

Our Kid-Friendly Guide to Sydney's Inner West

Our Favourite Cafes in the Inner West

The Inner West cafe scene is outstanding – inventive fare, kids' favourites, and sprawling outdoor areas.

Camperdown Commons is not just a café but a whole dining hub! You can enjoy brunch on the lawn on Sunday morning while the kids visit the urban farm. In the mood for pizza night? Why not share the wood-fired variety on the deck on Friday night while the kids dance to live music?

Location: 31a Mallett St, Camperdown
 

Located literally in the 'outfield' of Ashfield's Yeo Park, Outfield offers picnics and more sophisticated breakfast and lunch options. These guys take their food seriously – think smashed boiled eggs, green tomato pickle and kewpie mayo on charcoal bread – yum! Take a seat or grab a blanket and lounge under a fig tree while the kids compete for the best grass stains. 

Location: Yeo Park, 230 Victoria St, Ashfield
 

The Grounds of Alexandria –  the food, the setting, the experience! Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner (or just a sweet treat) in the rustic former pie factory. Fondly named 'The Grounds' for a reason – there are lush gardens, a mini farm, and flower market all in one spot. Look out for the spectacular themed installations run throughout the year – from a Circus Spectacular to Gingerbread Lanes, Moroccan Nights, and even the whimsical Secret Garden!

Location: 7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria

Must-Visit Attractions in the Inner West

Your kids can climb, skate, and sip their way through the many attractions on offer in Sydney's Inner West.

Jungle Buddies – your kids are little and the days are LONG. The weather is wet and there's nothing to do! Jungle Buddies is a large, indoor play centre that provides hours of entertainment for the kids. Hit the café for a caffeine hit and give your feet a rest while you wave from the sidelines. 

Location: 2/97 Queens Rd, Five Dock
 

At Ice Zoo, the whole family can enjoy getting their skates on. And who knows, you may even offer the greatest entertainment, gripping the rails while your kids fly by! There are skating sessions for the general public, plus, skating lessons and even a disco on ice. In need of a caffeine boost? There's a cafe on site serving yummy coffees to the masses.

Location: 689 Gardeners Road, Alexandria 
 

If your tweens and teens are curious about art and culture, White Rabbit Gallery is just the fix they need. They'll be mesmerised by the edgy and contemporary works of Chinese and Taiwanese artists, exploring social issues through installations that will have you looking up, down, and all around. Every floor of the gallery offers different perspectives, meanings, and emotions. After a cultural immersion, you'll be charmed by the tea house serving perfectly potted and iced teas, and handmade dumplings. 

Location: 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale
 

Get the kids' muscles moving at the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym at St Peters, which offers Australia's biggest indoor climbing walls, casual sessions, and climbing classes.

Location: Unit 4C/1-7 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters

Parks & Playgrounds in the Inner West

Sydney's Inner West playgrounds demonstrate innovative urban design and frequently include great cafes. No need to pack the picnic! 
 

First on the list is, of course, Sydney Park. Covering 41 hectares, this is one of the Inner West's biggest and most popular parks!

Keep the whole family entertained for an hour, a day or the whole weekend – the choice is yours. You can hit the playground, bike track, skate park (who's brave enough to tackle the three-metre-deep flow bowl?!), sports oval, and wetlands. There are also BBQ facilities and plenty of off-leash play spaces for your fur babies.

Location: Sydney Park Road, St Peters
 

Livvi's Place – Sydney's first all-abilities playground, Livvi's Place in Five Dock is all about inclusion! Inspired by the impact of a child's disability and differences in their ability to participate, the park's slides, sand and water play, ropes course, and flying fox allow all children to play side-by-side. There's also plenty of shade, and a trusty fence to keep your little grommets contained. 

Location: Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock
 

Petersham Park – beyond the playground, cricket oval, BBQs, and picnic areas, Petersham Park has something extra special – a pool! Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre operates from October to March. The foodies at the on-site cafe, 'Splash' are literally making a splash with their reinvention of the old-school pool canteen. Their Bradman burger and fish sandwich are waiting for you. Once the kids have climbed, swum, and munched, they should be ready to chill.

Location: West St, Petersham 

RELATED:
Sydney's Best Playgrounds
Splash it Out at Sydney's Top Indoor Pools

Must-see Markets in the Inner West

Spending a few hours at the markets is one of our favourite things to do in Sydney's Inner West to entertain parents and kids alike. Their sights, smells, and sounds delight everyone!

Inner West Night Markets is the place to be on the first Friday of each month, with free entry! There's no better way to start your weekend than with artisan foods, local brews, live music, clothing, and jewellery. Forget Friday-night Disney movies on the couch!

Location: Fraser Park, 100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Head to Marrickville Organic Food and Farmers Market every Sunday for seasonal produce and eco-friendly goodies. Spot a familiar A or B-list celebrity, and grab lunch while the kids are on the jumping castle or pony rides.

Location: 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville

Glebe Markets is our top pick of the Inner West markets scene – there are just so many quirky and second-hand treasures here, perfect for your child's tastes and pocket-money budgets. Looking for a Pokemon card or a pre-loved pair of Crocs? They'll find them here, every Saturday! 

Location: 46-56 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Check out more of the best markets in Sydney.

The Inner West After Dark

Do your kids no longer have a 7 pm bedtime? Don't worry, the Inner West nightlife hasn't forgotten you!
 

We love visiting the many kid-friendly pubs in Sydney's Inner West for a drink, a play, and a feed. Our favourites include The Henson in Marrickville with their always-popular kids' shed adjoining the beer garden. The Salisbury Hotel in Stanmore, where the youngsters will enjoy driving the restored 1926 delivery truck in the courtyard. And we can't forget about the Canada Bay Club in Five Dock, where you can watch the kids roam in the secure playground from the comfort of your seat in the Brasserie - win-win!

Check out more kid-friendly pubs in Sydney.

Do your kids think they're hot stuff? Test their mettle at Nomad Bouldering Gym in Annandale, where grit meets climbing excellence. This mega indoor bouldering space is an impressive 1,000 square metres, has a 40-degree spray wall, and is open until 10 pm for family-friendly fun after dark.
 

In the mood for a little family-friendly competition? Give your thinking caps a run for their money in the epic challenge rooms at the Hijinx Hotel in Alexandria. The giant ball pits and upside-down corridors will amaze and entertain the whole family for hours!  

Where the Locals Shop

Sydney's Inner West offers some of the best shopping – not just in Sydney, but in the whole of NSW! 
 

A day out on King Street in Newtown is a must for shopping in the Inner West. Sip your Shenkins coffee or devour your Yochi fro-yo while checking out the quirky posters, t-shirts, and bags at Blue Dog Posters. Don't leave Eastern Flair without grabbing an oriental treasure. Let the train at Sushi Wow serve you the freshest nigiri, sushi rolls, and sashimi. You and the teens will love the vinyl at Repressed Records. Finish your Brewtown cronut while watching the kids play in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.
 

Broadway Shopping Centre in Glebe offers shopping, entertainment, and tasty eats all in one awesome destination. Head to Hoyts Cinemas on Level 2 to catch the latest family movie (don't forget some popcorn!). Grab a healthy burger (and tell yourself the chips are just crunchy vegetables!) at Grill'd. Discover a world of imaginative play at the LEGO store, and review tween fashions at H&M. Finish your trip with a whirl around the Happy Days Arcade (there are plenty of games for the very grown-up kids, too!) or visit the indoor kids' play area – Best. Day. Ever!

More Things to do in Sydney

Things to do in Western Sydney: 41 Family Favourites
The Best Farms for Fruit Picking in Sydney & Beyond
Sydney's Favourite Kid-friendly Museums

 

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