Woden (or Woden Valley), is an area 10km south of Canberra's CBD. Only a ten minute drive from the city, this area has a number of playgrounds for kids of all ages to enjoy. There are smaller local playgrounds dotted throughout Woden's suburbs, however there are a few that stand out among the rest with extra amenities that the kids will enjoy. When our family first moved to Canberra we lived on the border of Woden and Weston Creek and our family has road-tested many and found our favourites. What are your family's favourites?
CHIFLEY PLAYGROUNDThis playground is situated opposite Chifley shops on Chifley Place. It is a playground that is always popular with mothers groups and friends meeting up with their kids. There is an undercover BBQ and picnic area and plenty of grass to run around on at the neighbourhood park.
In the main playground there is a slide, climbing net, spinning toys, swings and a popular red train to crawl through.
Playground with little red train, great for toddlers
If your kids love to climb there is also a shaded climbing area with rock climbing walls, ladders, a bouncy bridge, fireman's pole and other ways to climb up and down. Why not pack the bikes so the kids can ride around the little bike paths or pack a ball to play on the basketball court. Across the road is also the retro "
A Bite To Eat" café for a family friendly, relaxed place to eat in or grab a takeaway coffee. See Google map
here for location.
Climbing area, with shops and cafe behind
O'Malley is a suburb in Woden that has a number of worlds embassies located between the residential homes. On a drive around this interesting suburb, my daughter and I came across this modern playground which kept her entertained with it's climbing net, slide, swings, spinning toys and cubby. The playground is located on the corner of Dalman Crescent and Keyar Street - see Google map
here for general map of area. For a more detailed article on O'Malley playground, see
here.
O'Malley Playground
This park is a 14 hectare reserve with a highly popular skate bowl, two playgrounds (one new, one established), bike paths, BBQs and picnic areas. The main playground is situated on the corner of Launceston St and Yamba Drive, with parking in Launceston Street. Even if your kids are too young to ride a skateboard or scooter on the ramps, they will enjoy watching the older kids hone their skills and do their tricks. There are also rock walls to climb and a basketball court to shoot some hoops. See Google map
here. For a more detailed article on Eddison Park, see
here.
Eddison Park Playground
Skate Park at Eddison Park
In the suburb of Isaacs, there is a colourful playground which has two areas to enjoy. It has the usual variety of playground equipment as well as a "fort" for the kids to traverse - perfect for hide and seek! This playground is situated on Dumolo Place, off Julia Flynn Avenue - see Google map
here. For a detailed article on Julia Flynne Playground, see
here.
Julia Flynne Playground - lower playground with fort
Julia Flynne Playground - top park.
When Winter sets in and chilly mornings take awhile to heat up, it is good to be able to have some indoor options available for when the kids want to go out and play.
Woden Southern Cross Club has an indoor toddler play area and games arcade and the
Hellenic Club nearby also has an indoor children's play area.
My daughter has always enjoyed the Pirate Ship play area at Westfield Shopping Centre, with the old one being replaced last year and the new one just as impressive.
Pirate Ship at Woden Westfield
Woden is also bordered by
Weston Creek and
Tuggeranong, which also have playgrounds to try out with your kids, without driving too far.
The local park is such a treasure to find and when you find a good one, it is rewarding to see the excitement on your kids face when it comes into view. If you know of a playground that hasn't made this list and you want to share your discovery, please make a comment to this article. Meanwhile, enjoy exploring Woden playgrounds this weekend for free family fun your kids will love.
Woden Southern Cross Club toddler play area
