The Best Sensory Playgrounds in Sydney for Inclusive Fun

It's no secret that engaging kids' senses in a creative and fun way is one of the best ways to help them excel socially, emotionally, cognitively, linguistically, and physically. There’s an inexhaustible selection of fun sensory things to do with your kids: water/sand play, sensory bags with everyday things like pasta or balls, playdough, finger painting, and interaction with animals, music, or light.

As we believe the best play takes place outdoors, while taking advantage of the amazing Australian weather (FREE immunity-boosting vitamin D included), we’ve rounded up the best sensory playgrounds in Sydney. So wake up your inner child, take your real-life child too, and go and explore!

The Best Sensory Playgrounds in Sydney for Inclusive Fun

What is a Sensory Playground?

A sensory playground is a specially designed play area that engages a child's senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—while encouraging physical, social, and cognitive development. These playgrounds are filled with features like textured surfaces, musical instruments, water elements, and vibrant colours to stimulate a child's imagination and sensory responses.

They're designed to be inclusive, catering to children of all abilities, including those with sensory processing challenges or developmental differences, providing a safe space for exploration and play. Sydney best inclusive playgrounds encourage creativity, social interaction, and physical activity in a fun and engaging way! So, without further ado, here are our favourite inclusive playgrounds in Sydney that are so much fun for the senses!

1. Livvi's Place Elara, Marsden Park

If you live in Sydney's north-west, you’re in for hours of fun, splashing, and games at Livvi's Place Elara.

Located in Marsden Park, this mega playground features a water play zone, a flying fox, slides, swings, climbing nets, a carousel, a fun glider, a trampoline loop, and a basketball half-court.

Did we mention that it's wheelchair-accessible and equipped with soft-fall rubber flooring, plus, visual and audio stimulation to maximise creative, physical, social, and cognitive play for kids of all ages and abilities? There’s also a fun dinky track for your little ones to practise their motor skills.

Location: Elara Blvd, Marsden Park

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2. Variety Livvi's Place, Bankstown City Garden

This is another one of the fabulous Livvi's Place chain of all-abilities sensory playgrounds in Sydney, co-founded by the Touched by Olivia Foundation and Variety, The Children's Charity.

Located in Bankstown City Gardens, this iteration of Livvi's Place is a zone of pure exploratory fun with excellent, modern play equipment. There are also some extra circus-like features such as a double flying fox, roller table, carousel, embankment slides, large tripod swing, treehouse, a sensory garden with sculptures, and a real trampoline! 

Location: Ross St, Bankstown

3. Rotary Park, Riverwood

Riverwood Park was upgraded by the Canterbury-Bankstown Council in 2017, and - oh boy - wasn't it a cause for big, community celebrations!

The playground's bountiful equipment includes a water play zone, a sandpit, sensory agility area, and musical pipes. It's divided into two age-appropriate sections so that there are plenty of fun and safe activities for older kids, toddlers, and even babies.

Location: Rotary Park, 114 Belmore Rd, Riverwood

4. Meade Park, Allawah

Georges River Council have delivered a much-needed playground for the local community at Meade Park, and we love that it's inclusive of all children. There's also a sensory-focused play zone with stimulating and imaginative activities, including an infinity mirror, voice tubes, a junior inclusive carousel, and a Zulu-inclusive rocker and car rocker. Epic fun awaits! 

Location: 92 Woids Ave, Allawah

5. Deerbush Park, Prairiewood

Deerbush Park Playground is Fairfield's first all-abilities playground and has been designed to allow people of all abilities to enjoy Fairfield Showground for playing, walking, cycling, sports, family picnics, and beyond.

One of our favourite sensory playgrounds in Sydney offers a Liberty Swing, wheelchair-accessible carousel, ground-level trampoline, climbing ropes and net course, flying fox, a learn-to-ride path, a climbing net fort with slide, accessible riverbed crossing, sand digger, voice tubes, and more. Race you there!

Location: Deerbush Park, Prairiewood

6. Paperbark Playground, Parramatta

Designed to be inclusive for all ages and abilities, Paperbark Playground features cutting-edge equipment that ensures children of varying mobility can join in on the fun, including those in wheelchairs.

From thrilling swings like the vortex swing and tandem swing for bonding moments, to a bucket swing for the littlest adventurers, there's something for everyone here. The highlight? An incredible 'explorer dome' awaits, offering a maze of nets, ropes, ladders, and tunnels for endless climbing, balancing, and crawling excitement.

Location: Parramatta Park

7. Ollie Webb Reserve, Parramatta

Get ready for endless fun at Ollie Webb Reserve, where every corner is bursting with excitement for little adventurers.

From secret hideout tunnels to soaring swings, this park is designed to bring smiles to kids of all ages. With features like trampolines, slides, and a water play area, there's no shortage of entertainment. Let imaginations run wild in the sandpit, create beautiful melodies on the musical chimes, and splash around in the water play area. 

Location: 37A Glebe St, Parramatta

8. We Rock the Spectrum

At We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym, the motto, "Finally a Place Where You Never Have to Say I'm Sorry," isn't just a slogan – it's a way of life.

At We Rock the Spectrum, the dedicated staff work tirelessly to cultivate an environment where kids can thrive. The facility is equipped with a wide range of exciting gear designed to engage children in activities that promote climbing, running, jumping, lifting, pulling, and pushing, all aimed at developing their gross motor skills.

But We Rock the Spectrum goes beyond just physical activity. They offer a variety of resources to support problem-solving, social development, sensory skills, fine motor skills, and creativity. The gym is packed with equipment, toys, and even an arts and crafts area, and the staff are incredibly supportive and nurturing. 

Location: 1345 The Horsley Dr, Wetherill Park

9. The Backyard Playground, Rouse Hill Town Centre

This playground may just be every parent’s dream, as it's located within a shopping centre. So you are – almost literally – feeding two birds with one scone by rolling your shopping and playing trip into one!

Even better news – the Rouse Hill Town Centre and its playground are designed as an outdoor space just like a town centre with a high street and adjacent shopping alleys. The colourful, bug-themed playspace, dubbed "The Backyard", is covered in synthetic grass and features a multitude of sensory equipment, including climbing mounds, sensory boards, balance beams, climbing nets, and slides.

If one playground isn't enough for your little monkeys, there's another bigger one just behind the food court. Called The Play Terrace, it will satisfy the little budding astronauts as it has an area featuring stars and planets, moon eggs to hide in and some red climbing mounds – so your kids can feel like they just landed on Mars.

Location: Rouse Hill Town Centre

10. Collaroy Beach Playground, Collaroy

Collaroy Beach playground truly stands out as one of the best sensory playgrounds in Sydney with its excellent equipment, designed with inclusivity in mind for kids of all abilities.

There's a super cool rope climbing frame, an interactive water play area, and spacious flat swings. Adding to the charm are artworks scattered throughout the playground – not only a treat for parents to admire but also a source of endless fun for the kids to explore and enjoy.

With its picturesque backdrop of the beach and ocean, the playground offers a refreshing sea breeze, creating the perfect setting for a day of outdoor fun.

Location: 10 Birdwood Ave, Collaroy

11. Dawson-Damer Park

Dawson-Damer Park stands out as the Macarthur region's ultimate water play destination and an awesome sensory playground in Sydney.

Boasting an array of both water and dry activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy – from thrilling water slides and spinners to a challenging ninja warrior course, swings, trampolines, basketball courts, and inviting picnic spots.

Inclusivity is at the heart of Dawson-Damer Reserve, with amenities catering to all—visitors can take advantage of wet play wheelchairs available for hire as well as other facilities and amenities.

Location: Cnr Dick Johnson Drive and O'Toole Avenue, Oran Park

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12. The Shine Shed

The Shine Shed warmly welcomes children, teens, and young adults with autism and other disabilities to a vibrant world of exploration and connection. Here, every child, regardless of ability, is encouraged to thrive, learn, and forge friendships in a supportive and enjoyable environment.

The purpose-built facility caters to a wide range of needs, offering activities that cater to those with boundless energy as well as those with significant physical requirements. From a sprawling play gym and foam pit to trampolines, swings, climbing walls, and more, there's something here for everyone to enjoy, all while ensuring the utmost safety.

For those seeking a quieter experience, their sensory room provides a tranquil haven with soothing lights, engaging activities, and calming bubble columns, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustling main play area. At The Shine Shed, every child is celebrated, and every moment is filled with joy and possibility.

Location: Mount Erin Rd, Campbelltown

13. King George Park Inclusive Playground

There's a new inclusive playground in Sydney to add to your list—the King George Park Inclusive Playground!

King George Park opened in September 2024 after undergoing a mega revamp thanks to the Inner West Council and the Touched By Olivia Foundation. King George Park Playground is the first of five new inclusive playgrounds that the Inner West Council have in store for the area and is already impressing the socks off of all kids with all of its sensory features. The inclusive equipment means everyone can join in, with features that encourage climbing, bouncing, digging, balancing, and even splashing. 

Location: 2039 King George St, Rozelle

14. Oatley Park

Nestled along the picturesque Georges River in Oatley lies a playground that truly embraces nature's beauty. Oatley Park Playground stands out with its natural design, blending seamlessly into the lush surroundings of Oatley Park. Say goodbye to ordinary plastic and rubber playgrounds – here, wooden structures and bushland vistas take centre stage at one of the best sensory playgrounds in Sydney.

But let's talk about the star attraction–the colossal climbing structure! Towering three stories high, this timber masterpiece promises an unforgettable adventure for daring kids. From ropes to ladders, tunnels, and more, navigating your way to the top is all part of the fun.

Oatley Park playground is part of the NSW Government's Everyone Can Play Program, and as such, over 80 percent of the playground is accessible for children of all abilities. This includes a toddler sensory and play area, swings, a sandpit, balancing beams, and of course plenty of space to run wild. Race you there!

Location: 2385+VQ, 1 Dame Mary Gilmore Rd, Oatley 

15. Phillips Park, Lidcombe

Another new sensory playground to add to your list, Phillips Park recently reopened after a very colourful makeover!

Wanting to ensure that all kids can play, the upgrades to Phillip Park cater to a wide range of ages and abilities, including nature play, interactive elements, and high-accessibility pieces. Plus, there's new rubber and mulch soft fall in the children's playground as well as bench seats, lounges, sandstone block seats, and a cool new learn-to-ride track.

Location: Nicholas St, Lidcombe

16. Livvi's Place at Bay Central, Woolooware

2024 has been quite the playful year for The Shire–they've opened not one but TWO brand-new inclusive playgrounds!

Livvi's Place at Bay Central is the first all-abilities playground to open in Sutherland Shire and takes pride of place at the brand-new Bay Central Woolooware. A whopping $1-million-dollars went into the design and construction of the new play space, which features loads of sensory-friendly play equipment such as the Nature Walk, Zoe's Fairy Garden for imaginative play, a musical Jam Zone, inclusive seating options, plus, the giant shark play structure that's wheelchair-friendly!

Location: Ground Floor near ALDI at Bay Central Woolooware, 453A Captain Cook Drive, Woolooware

17. Cooper Street Reserve, Engadine

The second all-abilities playground for The Shire also opened in 2024 at Cooper Street Reserve in Engadine.

The purpose-built accessible playground is a dream for all kids with plenty of outdoor and imaginative play on offer, including water play, climbing structures, accessible carousel and slides, 8 swings with different seat options, trampolines, junior bike path, plus loads of nature play and landscaped areas.

Location: 1148 Old Princes Highway, Engadine

18. The New-Look Bernie Mullane Reserve

One of our favourite inclusive playgrounds is getting a cool upgrade. Bernie Mullane Reserve in Kellyville is already everyone's favourite so you can imagine the excitement once the makeover is complete!

Livvi's Place Playground at Bernie Mullane Reserve in Kellyville already ticks all the boxes for a family day out, but brace yourselves for even more fun because the upgrade will introduce a multi-activity play tower designed for all abilities, perfect for some next-level adventuring. Sydney kids will also get a double flying fox, slides, a climbing net, and swings suited for both little ones and bigger kids. 

The new-look Bernie Mullane Reserve is set to open in 2025. Parts of the existing playground are still open.

Location: 10 Marella Ave, Kellyville

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