It's no secret that engaging kids' senses in creative, fun ways is one of the best ways to help them excel socially, emotionally, cognitively, linguistically, and physically. There's an inexhaustible selection of fun sensory activities to do with your kids: water/sand play, sensory bags with everyday items like pasta or balls, playdough, finger painting, and interactions 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 feature 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's 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, 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, featuring 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 offers bountiful equipment, including a water play zone, a sandpit, a sensory agility area, and musical pipes. It's divided into two age-appropriate sections, so there are plenty of fun, safe activities for older kids, toddlers, and even babies.

Location: Rotary Park, 114 Belmore Rd, Riverwood

4. Bernie Mullane Reserve

One of our favourite inclusive playgrounds has been upgraded!

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 upgrades introduced 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.

And because accessibility is a big deal here, they've added a fully equipped 'Changing Places' amenities building complete with an overhead hoist, shower, and toilet to make sure everyone can enjoy the playground. The new building also has unisex ambulant cubicles, ensuring that families with diverse needs feel supported and comfortable during their visit.

Location: 10 Marella Ave, Kellyville

5. Deerbush Park, Prairiewood

Deerbush Park Playground is Fairfield's first all-abilities playground and has been designed to enable 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. Nurragingy Reserve Playspace, Doonside

The playspace at Nurragingy Reserve is a thoughtfully designed haven for children of all abilities, offering a calm, inclusive environment that is especially sensory-friendly.

Set amid tranquil gardens and open green spaces, the playground features accessible pathways, gentle play equipment, swings, slides, and interactive elements that support imaginative and cooperative play without overwhelming young visitors. Natural surroundings, soft colour palettes and plenty of quiet areas help reduce sensory overload, allowing children to explore, regulate and engage at their own pace — love!

Location: Within Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside

7. 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

8. 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

9. We Rock the Spectrum

At We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym, their motto, "Finally a Place Where You Never Have to Say I'm Sorry," is 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 this inclusive play space 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

10. Burwood Park

Children of all ages and abilities are invited to play in the new Burwood Park, which features a wide range of new equipment and features, including a modern play area featuring a tower slide, swings, a tandem flying fox and an all-abilities carousel, along with softfall surfaces and shaded spots for safer, more comfortable play. There's also a giant outdoor chessboard with its own custom shelter that doubles as a performance space, plus individual chess tables for casual games.

Families can make a day of it with accessible BBQs, picnic shelters and group tables, while a 24/7 accessible double Exeloo toilet makes visits easy and stress-free.

Location: 2 Comer Street, Burwood

11. 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 features 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

12. 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, which are 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 beach and ocean backdrop, the playground offers a refreshing sea breeze, creating the perfect setting for a day of outdoor fun.

Location: 10 Birdwood Ave, Collaroy

13. Dawson-Damer Park

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

Boasting an array of both water and dry activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy, including water slides and spinners, 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 even 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

14. 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 for 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

15. King George Park Inclusive Playground

The King George Park Inclusive Playground is another inclusive playground in Sydney to add to your list!

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 has in store for the area, and it's impressing the socks off all the kids with 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

16. 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 per cent 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: 1 Dame Mary Gilmore Rd, Oatley 

17. Phillips Park, Lidcombe

To ensure that all kids can play, the council upgrades at 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 soft fall mulch 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

18. Livvi's Place at Bay Central, Woolooware

Livvi's Place at Bay Central is the first all-abilities playground to open in Sutherland Shire and takes pride of place at Bay Central Woolooware. 

A whopping $ 1 million went into the design and construction of the inclusive 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, and the giant shark play structure that's wheelchair-friendly!

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

19. Cooper Street Reserve, Engadine

The second all-abilities playground for The Shire is located 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, an accessible carousel and slides, 8 swings with different seat options, trampolines, a junior bike path, plus loads of nature play and landscaped areas.

Location: 1148 Old Princes Highway, Engadine

20. Waratah Park All-abilities Playground, Sutherland

For sensory fun and inclusive play in Sutherland, the kids will love the Waratah All-Ability Playground.

Kids of all ages and needs can play all day with a host of cool play features, including: a flying fox with an accessible seat for high-flying thrills, sand and water sensory play for hands-on fun, and a carousel and slides designed for all abilities. There's also musical and nature play to spark creativity, a junior bike path for little riders, and swings with different seat options for comfort and support.

Location: Rawson Avenue, Sutherland

21. 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 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

22. Picton Botanic Gardens All-Abilities Playspace

Designed as part of the Picton Parklands Master Plan, the Picton All-abilities Playspace is all about bringing the community together while adding a modern twist to an already gorgeous park. 

Geared towards kids aged 5-12, the main playground is all about active play with a custom play tower, slides, swings, climbing nets, a rope bridge, and spinners. The toddler zone is aimed at little ones aged 1-5 with loads on offer, including swings, a blackboard, sandstone climbing structures, a nature play zone, a slide, and see-saw elements. 

There's also a fully-equipped amenities block so everyone can comfortably enjoy their time here. 

Location: 13 Regreme Rd, Picton 

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