6 of Melbourne❜s Most Creative Playgrounds to Have Fun in

The playgrounds in Melbourne are among the best in the country, and it's not hard to see why - some of the newer ones are absolutely outdoing themselves when it comes to creative and unusual play experiences for our kids.

From high ropes courses and extensive water play, to art, sculptures, visual and auditory elements designed for extra sensory fun, there are some fantastic out-of-the ordinary spaces for children across the city.

1. Rosebud Foreshore Playground

This beautifully-laid out playground right on the water's edge is a huge drawcard for kids both large and small.

The huge hill with climbing stones, ropes, and slide is often the first spot kids run to, and right at the top of the hill you can see what other equipment catches your eye for the next play adventure. 

The usual swings, birds nest swing, and flying fox is joined by a roundabout, stepping stones, and the magic of the foreshore just across the walkway. The water is low and perfect for paddling, once you can drag yourself away from the epic fun of the playground.

2. Hay's Paddock Playground

Hays Paddock Playground was built with inclusivity and accessibility for everyone in mind, including children with the most limited mobility.

There’s no shortage of your usual climbing frames, fortresses, slides, roundabouts, sand pit and bridges, there’s also swings of different sizes and shapes for children of differing ages and ability, a roundabout that comfortably fits a wheelchair, and a large, low seesaw that’s much easier to manage than the old-fashioned style.

There are four main areas, and a special cubby out overlooking the wetlands. Predominantly wooden structures, the kids can choose from climbing, swinging, or even digging around in the large sandpit.  

Where things get really creative are the multicoloured "windows" along the boardwalks that give a coloured filter depending on which one you look through, the pipes along the edges make musical sounds when hit, and there are spinning blocks with sign language icons on them to help children learn.

The beautiful bushland setting is a fabulous backdrop to all the brightly-coloured fun.

3. Victory Park Playground

One of a few similar structures across Melbourne, Victory Park in Moonee Valley is an almost-totally-fenced wonderland of wooden fortress nooks and crannies. Enough swings so there isn’t a lineup, plenty of places to run between items, and something interesting to do every single time you turn around.

The lower monkey bars are particularly good for the younger folk, and shorter kids should have no trouble being able to reach all parts of the park. There are slides aplenty, turrets and towers from which to do battle with imaginary dragons, and even a sandpit for when you just need a good sit down.

There is a lovely walking/bike trail around the park, memorials to see, and picnic/bbq facilities to enjoy. The Ascot Vale Leisure Centre is right next door with handy toilets and a cafe.

4. Casey Fields Regional Playground

Casey Fields has an amazing array of play equipment for both littles and bigger kids, including a very popular pirate ship situated on a huge sandpit area.

Climbing mounds, adventure hill with birds nest swing, and even interactive art abounds to keep your smalls occupied across the three hectares. The play gyms and sandpits are popular, but the best fun of all is the giant blue slide snaking its way down the rubber climbing hill, which even tiny tots can manage. Absolutely tons too to keep the older kids occupied - don't forget to bring a footy!

Plenty of covered seating and BBQs too, if you want to make a day of it.

5. Valley Reserve Adventure Playspace

The Valley Reserve Adventure Playspace, is a natural wonderland chock-full of fun without a piece of plastic in sight. It won the Parks and Leisure Australia Award for Excellence for the best playspace in Australia last year, and its thoroughly deserved.

In amongst the rope-climbing courses (shoes off or shoes with good grip are best for some parts, my heart is in my throat half the time I’m watching my kids navigate them!), cool tree house, huge bird nest swing quite a way off the ground, regular swings, slides, bird-shaped climbing structures, which all blend seamlessly into the surrounding nature reserve, thanks to the natural materials used to build them.

There are two flying foxes, one with a regular disc-shaped seat, and one with a much larger bucket-style seat for smaller folk – although it does get quite a bit of speed up so make sure they’re holding on tight, or someone is at the other end.

There is a small water pump and creek play area, tons of shaded seating and barbecues, and plenty of space to spread out and spend the day. It was council’s vision to create a SPARC area: a Socially Inclusive, Playful, Active, Relevant and Connected playspace and they’ve totally outdone themselves.

6. Alma Park Playground

Alma Park is fantastic to run around in, and there are plenty of swingy, slidy, climby things to keep kids of all ages occupied. Everything is quite spread out, but visibility is pretty clear, in case you have several kids all running in different directions.

Fabulous big picnic areas with tables, rotundas and toilets abound, and the wetlands area through the middle and the public art dotted around help this play area stand out from your bog standard. You could spend all day here with a footy or cricket set and nobody would be bored. I especially liked the community-run lending library in a little book nook near the junior playground.

We're not lacking in creative places for kids to play, that's for sure! Which is your favourite?