By Michelle Barry, the Team Leader for Child Health Promotion for Healthy Cities Illawarra
Have you heard the parenting advice... just add water?! When the kids are crabby, annoying or really testing your patience, water really helps! Whether it’s a bath / shower at home, a cool drink or the very best water play, it helps even the most challenging situation to cool down. Kids can (and should be encouraged to!) spend hours playing in water, but often the ocean can seem like hard work to us as parents so here are some simple options to get the kids wet and happy!
1. Calderwood District Park – East, Escarpment Drive, Calderwood
This is a gorgeous little park just as you come in the main entrance of Calderwood and its best feature is a simple water play area with out-of-ground sprays, a pump-action and little creeks perfect for toddler play! It’s next to some picnic tables where you can sit and supervise and allow them to enjoy the freedom of play! On the other side there is a big sandpit where there are donated toys and trucks, always a fun addition! There are toilets there too for when they need a change of clothes before heading home.
2. Albion Park Pool, Russell Street
Although this is a pool, it’s also got a splash park definitely worth a mention! It’s fully fenced and away from the larger pool with shade and lots of interactive play for kids. And it's a hidden gem... it’s totally free from the Council if you're only using the toddler pool/splash area! I love to take my early riser and a coffee there on a warm Sunday morning and we can easily spend a few hours splashing and keeping cool during summer. Definitely worth a visit!
3. Stuart Park, Wollongong
This playground needs no introduction to Wollongong locals as it is a stand-out in the region, with a cubby houses, zip-lines and accessible features. An extra reason to love it, however, is for its location next to a quiet waterway that is great for kids to paddle in. The water’s edge is near the grassed area with shaded trees and snacks and drinks available nearby. For us, it’s a great compromise to going to a main beach and we have the best of both worlds – playgrounds and water!
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