When you dine out as a family with kids, particularly smaller ones, it is always handy to go somewhere that entertains the kids. If the kids are happy,
everyone's happy! If you have smaller children, it is a relief to find somewhere with a little play area or if you have older children, an activity book or colouring-in sheet will be a great addition to the table, so they can get creative as they wait.
Around Nelson Bay there are a number of family friendly clubs to choose from for a night out - but which ones are the best for kids? These are our two picks, as chosen by our expert judge and eight year old daughter. Which one(s) do you your kids love?
Delicious kids meals at Bluewater Grill at Nelson Bay Golf Club
is our daughter's favourite club as it has something for all ages. For toddlers, there is an indoor playground next to the dining area, so that parents can watch through the glass and see their kids enjoying themselves. As well as the play area, the Kids Menu at the
Bluewater Grill is excellent value, with generous-sized meals which also come with an activity book and dessert. The activity book has stickers, colouring-in and puzzles - which is perfect for primary school children. The dessert is always a highlight of the meal with a small tub of ice-cream, topping, sprinkles and a lollipop stuck in the top.
Adults will also be happy, with delicious meals and a view of the golf course from the dining area, with kangaroos often spotted grazing on the fairways. We have an enjoyable meal, every time. See
here for details.
Dining area at Blue Water Grill, with toddler playground to the left
Soldiers Point Bowling Club, located 15 minutes from Nelson Bay, is another popular choice with Miss Eight and her friends. This modern club has one major feature that all children love - a full-sized playground. The playground is also located under cover, so it doesn't matter if it is a hot, scorching day or it is raining, the playground is perfect for every weather. Our daughter rates the spaghetti bolognaise at the
White Sands Bistro as her favourite meal from any club.
During the school holidays, the club also offers a range of fun activities, such as free
Kids Discos and
Little Wings Kids Bingo, which costs $10 per child. If you would like an activity book, they also charge for them at the cashier. See
here for details.
Playground fun at Soldiers Point Bowling Club
Little Wings Kids Bingo at Soldiers Point Bowling Club - with prizes to be won!
Other clubs to choose from are
Wests Nelson Bay (with tasty burgers and pizzas in the Diner and kids meals in the Bay Brasserie),
Nelson Bay Bowling Club (with kid's interactive zone) and
Fingal Bay Sports Club (with small playground).
Shoal Bay Country Club, which is more like a large restaurant and bar, offer free kids activities every Sunday and school holidays.
Where is your favourite club or venue for kids around Nelson Bay? Please leave a comment at the top of this article and share your favourite spot and why. As mentioned - if the kids are happy,
everyone's happy...and isn't that what we all want when going out for a family meal?
Kids activities each Sunday and school holidays. Image: Original photos from Shoal Bay Country Club Facebook
