Adventure, baby!

Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby! She loves cake, her tolerant husband and her busy preschooler.

Darling Quarter Playground + Lindt Cafe

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The sparkly new Darling Quarter playground is one of the most amazing playgrounds I’ve ever seen. Ever. I remember visiting the area when I was a kid and it was a bit of a waste land. After a huge renovation of the entire Darling Quarter area, Darling Harbour is now a fun destination for local families to enjoy year-round. The playground is the big feature that families will love. With a huge water play area, climbing ropes for big and little kids, swings, slides, and a flying fox, there’s enough to entertain (and wear out) kids of all ages for an entire day.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Water scoop: turn the wheel, get wet!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Lots of shade over rest and play areas.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

An Archimedes water screw!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Three-metre high giant slide and supanova wheel.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sand diggers!

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

3D ring swing.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

10-metre high octanet.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Baby ropes.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

21-metre long flying fox.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Little E spotted a carousel and so we took a spin. $4 per person to ride. Adults can accompany 3-year-olds for free as long as they are standing beside them and not on a horse.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

After playing it was time for lunch. Just around the corner is the Lindt Cafe, where I have indulged in many a chocolate shake over the years.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

While you’re waiting on your order, stock up on Lindt balls and and bars. The cafe also serves cakes, chocolates and ice cream, making it pure chocolate heaven.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

For a light lunch, the cafe is perfect with its location and menu. I ordered the milk chocolate shake, a vegetarian quiche and sourdough toast for Missy E. Alec ordered a roast beef sandwich. The order took a while to arrive, so we entertained E in the meantime by giving her a Lindt ball.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

On a lovely day, sitting in the outdoor area is really a relaxing experience. The cafe sits on the waterfront in Cockle Bay, giving it a gorgeous view.

A Day In The Darling Quarter #lindtcafe #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day In The Darling Quarter #darlingharbour #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Our last stop in Darling Harbour is the fountain area. These fountains have been here for as long as I remember. When I was a kid I loved playing in them, so I thought E might as well. The big water arcs are a favourite with kids of now two generations, who dance in and out of them trying to get wet just enough to cool down, but not so much as to get soaked. Ahh memories!

Darling Quarter Playground
1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney
Bathrooms: Several very clean bathrooms with change facilities.
Picnic tables: No
Shade cover: Partial (not over the water area)
Cafe: Yes
Skatepark: No
Off-street parking: No (Use the Darling Quarter Wilson car park)
Children’s playground: Yes
Water features: Yes
Get Directions

Lindt Cafe
104-105 Cockle Bay Wharf
Darling Harbour, Sydney
Phone: (02) 9267 8064
Hours: Sun-Thur 10am-10pm Fri & Sat 10am-12am

Highchairs: Not that I saw.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Lindt Chocolat Café on Urbanspoon

Day trip: Taking the East River Ferry to the Imagination Playground

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port, via Brunchwithmybaby.com

With the temperature (finally!) rising, life with a kid is all about finding ways to cool down. There are only so many times you can go to your closest splash park before you literally go bananas from boredom (sorry, it’s the truth!). So why not venture out of your neighbourhood to try something new? You’re not the only one who will enjoy checking out a new playground – and getting there and back is just part of the adventure.

A great afternoon (and cheap!) outing we recently took was jumping on the East River Ferry to Wall st/Pier 11, and the Imagination Playground at the South Sea Port. It’s worth noting that the ferry trip alone made for a great adventure for the kids. They were insanely excited to sit in a big person seat next to the window, and see Manhattan quickly approaching. There is a cool breeze through the middle of the ferry while it’s on the water that will make you want to stay on the ferry and spend the entire day just going up and down the river…

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port, via brunchwithmybaby.com

We decided to test drive the Imagination Playground because we really wanted to see how the toddlers enjoyed playing with the blue, foam blocks that the Imagination Playgrounds are famous for. Imagination Playground blocks are suitable for kids aged two and up to play with. They’re basically huge shapes made out of non-toxic lightweight foam. The blocks come in a variety of shapes (curved and sharp angles) and sizes, and encourage kids to use their imagination to transform their play space into anything they can dream up. A robot, a play house, an animal or rocket ship – the only limit to what can be built with these blocks is a child’s imagination.

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port, via brunchwithmybaby.com

The blocks are only one feature of this great playground. At one end lies a huge sandpit, with a ramp running over the top and a twisty slide that ends up back in the sand. In the afternoons, this section is fully shaded, so gives a great respite from the heat if you can just get your kid to stay there.

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port, via Brunchwithmybaby.com

At the other end of the playground lies the sprinklers, and a whole host of kids of all ages trying to cool down. Tip: dress your kid in their swimwear and water shoes, so they can run around from one area to the next without dirtying their regular clothes. Don’t bother with a swim diaper (the kids won’t get THAT wet), but do remember a hat and the water shoes in particular.

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port, via Brunchwithmybaby.com

My toddler’s splash park outfit this summer consists of a long-sleeved swim top (better sun protection and less time spent trying to cover her in sunscreen while she wiggles and objects), a swim diaper (I put it over her regular diaper if we are somewhere that only has a basic sprinkler as she doesn’t get very wet, just so she has something to wear that’s water-friendly with her top) a hat and water shoes (we upgraded to the Natives shoes after taking these photos because the water come straight out, so your kid can wear the shoes in the water, and then all afternoon without getting wrinkly, soggy feet).

Imagination Playground, South Sea Port - via brunchwithmybaby.com

One last feature of the playground is an array of pipes and turning wheels, that older kids enjoyed climbing and the toddlers enjoyed spinning the wheels. Like everything else at the playground, each item can be played with by kids of all ages and abilities.

Imagination Playground at Burling Slip
Cost: free
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
Front St., John St., and South St.
Manhattan

East River Ferry
Cost: $4 per trip, $12 for an all-day pass
Hours: Ferries run ever every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 15 minute on weekends. Be sure to check the schedule and your closest terminal. The trip from Brooklyn Bridge Park/DUMBO to Pier 11/Wall St only takes five minutes.

A Star Twinkles in Williamsburg

There’s a saying that you don’t live in New York for the weather. The five months of this year so far have certainly proved this to be true, with a long, cold winter, snow and a ridiculous amount of rain.

So what’s a parent of a little kid to do, when it’s too wet, too cold (and now that the summer months are upon us—too hot) to play outside?

The answer? Catch the G (or L!) train to Williamsburg and check out the play space there, Twinkle.

Twinkle is a true family business, owned by sisters Vanessa Yee-Chan and Mieka John, and their father Victor John. The family has been part of the Williamsburg community for over 30 years, and decided, after noticing a lack of play spaces in their area for families to go to, to create the amazing world that is Twinkle.

Walking into Twinkle was literally like walking into a wonderland. Here is a breakdown of the many, many different areas of the playspace: Red Hot Fire House (a giant fire truck where kids can make the lights and siren flash), Stardust Tree Fort (a life-sized tree with a fort in its branches), How to Feed your Dragon (four 15-foot dragons that suck up scarves into their pipes and shoot them out the top), Pretty in Pink (a beauty parlour with crazy wigs), Brooklyn General Store (the most amazing kids store we’ve ever seen, stocked with play groceries and carts, and a moving conveyor belt on which to “buy” items after shopping), the Graffiti Studio (a dance room filled with balls and balloons), Gently Down the Stream (a water play station), The Hard Hat Zone (a sandpit with construction toys), Young MacDonald’s Barnyard (adorable pretend farm animals for kids 18 months and younger), and Twinkle Lounge (a place for parents to sit and relax, overlooking the playspace).

My toddler is 21 months old, and the perfect age to enjoy a lot of what Twinkle has to offer. The playspace is suitable for kids under the age of six, so they have a range of activities that children can enjoy depending on their age. My daughter in particular enjoyed the grocery store, the fire truck, the sand pit and the water play station. I enjoyed seeing her deliriously happy.

Twinkle is a membership-based play space, with a $25 first-time trial drop-in rate, which is exactly what we did to test drive the amazing space. You can also buy a six-visit pass for $130 if, like us, you’re not a local to the play space, but think you’ll be back a few times over a two-month period. The six visit pass is perfect for summer and winter in particular, if, also like us, you spend all of your time during these seasons trying to escape the excessive heat/cold.

Maybe we’ll see you there!

This article was originally posted on the MommyNearest Blog.  

Big Gay Ice Cream: Kid-Friendly West Village, NY

Big Gay Ice Cream: #kidfriendly #icecream #NYC brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Before I was introduced to the Big Gay Ice Cream, my experience with soft serve was limited to McDonald’s. I’ve never liked it, and was hesitant to try what I’ve always viewed to be ice cream’s second-rate cousin. I’m happy to admit I was wrong when it comes to Big Gay.

Big Gay Ice Cream: #kidfriendly #icecream #NYC brunchwithmybaby.com

Owners have created a cult following in New York City for a very good reason. Their soft-serve is developed in collaboration with Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and includes fun and creative ice creams like the Salty Pimp (my personal favourite, which includes injections of caramel and sprinklings of salt, and then dipped in chocolate).

Big Gay Ice Cream: #kidfriendly #icecream #NYC brunchwithmybaby.com

Big Gay in the West Village is my favorite outpost to visit. They have a large seating area and we’ve always found a table, even on their busiest days. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere quirky and fun, and the ice creams are just amazing. What more could you ask for?

Big Gay Ice Cream: #kidfriendly #icecream #NYC brunchwithmybaby.com

Last bite: A unique spin on old-school soft-serve is a winner with all age groups. 

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Big Gay Ice Cream Shop West Village
61 Grove Street
(at Seventh Avenue South)
New York NY 10014
Prices $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm-12am
Get directions

Milkshakes and Sundaes at Daisy’s Milkbar, Petersham (Kid-Friendly Cafes Inner West)

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

I’m a sucker for a milk bar. I absolutely love milkshakes, sundaes and grilled cheese, so I was a little too excited to visit Daisy’s Milk Bar in Petersham.

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

This cutie pie milk bar has a retro vibe, with brightly coloured pastel booths and signs, a free cordial station for an extra sugar hit.

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

We arrived at prime lunch hour on a Sunday and had a bit of a wait for a table.

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

We ordered a kid’s Chocolate Milk Shake ($3.50), which was actually big enough for an adult, but Little E drank the whole think anyway, Avo Toast (seasoned smashed avocado on toast with heirloom tomatoes, $8.50), plus a side of Persian Feta, $3, and Eggs, $4, the Egg and Soldiers, $5, and a Mini Sundae (chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge sauce, flaked almonds and whipped cream, $8).

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

Our food arrived pretty quickly, and was absolutely delicious. The ingredients were all fresh and busting with flavour, particularly the tomatoes. The eggs perfectly poached, and the boiled egg for E was just a touch runny for dipping in the toast soldiers.

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

A shared sundae was a must, so we tried the mini one after breakfast. I’m a picky ice cream lover, and this sundae was absolutely delicious. The cream was freshly whipped, the ice cream very chocolately, contrasting nicely with the almond flakes for some added crunch. The decadent fudge sauce throughout was just to die for. Yes, I do love my desserts.

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

There is a large selection of board games that can be borrowed and played at the tables, as well as card games (we spotted UNO) and drawing materials.

Daisy's Milk Bar, Sydney, Australia

Daisys Milk Bar Petersham: kid-friendly cafes, #Sydney Inner West via brunchwithmybaby,com

It’s safe to say we’ve found a new favourite cafe in the inner west, and will be back again to try a bit more of everything (plus a sundae or two).

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Not exactly, but a lot of the food is suitable for kids.

Daisy’s Milkbar
340 Stanmore Road
Petersham NSW 2049
Ph: (02) 8065 3466
Prices: $$
Get Directions

Get Bouncing At Sky Zone Little Leapers

Sky Zone Little Leapers #Sydney #Sydneykids via brunchwithmybaby.com

If your child loves bouncing like mine does, then check out the Little Leapers toddler sessions at Sky Zone Alexandria. Monday to Friday, from 10am-4pm, kids under the age of four (plus their parents) can bounce in a specially designated area just for them, creating a safe and less-scary environment for little ones to jump to their hearts’ content.

There’s no minimum age requirement either — any kid who wants to bounce under the age of four is welcome.

Sky Zone Little Leapers #Sydney #Sydneykids via brunchwithmybaby.com

We took Missy E trampolining on her birthday — a rainy cold day in August — and it was the perfect diversion for an active child like her. She was content to bounce for the entire hour, only wanting to briefly stop for a water break. We had to bribe her with ice cream to get her out of there.

Helpful tips:

  • Each jumping session starts on the hour and last for an hour.
  • Get the most out of your money by arriving 10 minutes early to get socks and prepare yourself and your child.
  • Wear tights or soft, comfy pants.
  • Bring lots of water for you and your child — jumping is thirsty work!

Sky Zone Little Leapers #Sydney #Sydneykids via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sky Zone Alexandria
75, O’Riordan Street,
Alexandria, Sydney
Hours: Mon-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri 10am-12am, Sat 9am-12am, Sun 9am-9pm (every day from 9am during school holidays.

Sky Zone Alexandria opening time toddler only areas
Little Leapers
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm excluding school holidays and public holidays.
$10 each per hour for you & your child (under 4) plus sock fee.
Walk ins only

Sun, Surf & Ice Cream at Manly: The Best Sydney Beaches With Kids

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Ahhhhh Manly! A favorite destination when I was a teenager, it’s still just as much fun now I’m going back regularly with my child. Manly can be a bit of a tourist trap, so the key to a great day is all in the locations you choose to stop by on your day trip.

A Day Trip To #Manly #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Best Lunch: Hugos Manly
When I heard that Hugos had been voted“Best Pizza in the World” at the New York Pizza Challenge and “Best Pizza Restaurant in Australia” on multiple occasions, I knew that I had to try it. While Hugo’s is a bit on the fancy (read: expensive) side, the Margherita pizza is massive and very affordable at $20. All of the food at Hugos is delicious – from the side salads to the fat chips and the fish that Alec ordered. if you’re after a special lunch or dinner, it’s a great place to splurge on a meal with a killer view.
Hugos, Shop 1,Manly Wharf/E Esplanade, Manly

ben-and-jerrys-1

Best Dessert: Ben & Jerry’s
I’ll admit, I became addicted to Ben & Jerry’s while living in the US. Back in Oz, it’s so expensive that I rarely eat it any more. When at the beach, however, one must have ice cream, and Ben & Jerry’s do ice cream like no one else in Australia.
Ben & Jerry’s, 27 S Steyne, Manly

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Must-do: Walk along the beach
While I never swim at the main beach, I love to walk along it, and around the coastal edge to Shelly Beach. The water is gorgeous, it’s fun people watching, and the view is just divine.

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

On this walk you’ll stroll past the Fairy Bower Pool on Marine Parade, and “Oceanides”, a sculpture of a pair of bathers by Helen Leete which I photograph every single time I visit.

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Further along the walk you’ll find more public art with the Ecotourism Walk by Tim Johnman at Shelly Beach (my favourite sculpture is the little squid), and the nearby Sandstone Sea themed boulder by Ishi Buki. (Check out more of Manly’s public art online.)

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

Best Beach: Shelly Beach
At the end of the walk you’ll find Shelly Beach. This tiny beach is sheltered from the wind, leaving the water calm and flat. It’s perfect for swimming with kids, and you’ll usually find it busy with young families in summer. The sandy shore is long and wide, with plenty of room for families to camp while their kids are playing. This huge amount of space also means the beach never feels overly crowded.

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Manly #Beach #Sydney With Kids via brunchwithmybaby.com

Hugos Manly on Urbanspoon

Bitton: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Alexandria

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

 

For a French-Australian inspired brunch, locals in Alexandria head to Bitton – particularly if they have kids. Parisian born owner and chef, David Bitton, serves up a delicious all-day brekkie menu including authentic French Crepes and One-Pan Bacon and Eggs. For a grab-and-go snack, you can try one of their daily-baked muffins, cakes and pastries.

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton Cafe is especially popular with parents with a great kids’ menu and a play area in the back terrace section, close to where parents can keep a safe eye and still enjoy a coffee or meal.

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

We arrived on a busy weekend at prime lunch-hour, but were still given a table quickly, and then moved to the section adjacent to the play room when I discovered it.

We ordered: French Crêpes with Bitton Strawberry and Vanilla Jam ($13), Eggs Cooked Any Way with Wood-fired Sourdough ($12.5), a side of Avocado ($4), Eggs Benedictine with Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Hollandaise Sauce ($18.5), a Babyccino ($1), and Pommes Frîtes ($8).

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The food arrived pretty quickly for a busy day. It was all well-cooked, using fresh ingredients. My eggs were perfectly poached, the sourdough tangy with a crusty edge. My only criticism was of the avocado – it was quite under ripe. The French crepes were just like I remembered them to be from my last trip to France – thin, and served with a delicious helping of home-made conserve.

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Bitton: #kidfrindly #cafes #alexandria #sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

We really enjoyed our lunch at Bitton, and will definitely be back again.

Last bite: French-inspired food in a child-friendly environment. Great for small families or large groups.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes
Change tables: Yes.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Bitton Cafe and Grocer
36-37A Copeland St,
Alexandria
Phone: (02) 9519 5111
Prices: $$
Hours: Sun-Tues 7am-5pm Wed-Sat 7am-9pm
Get Directions

A Day At Coogee Beach: Sydney’s Best Family-Friendly Beaches

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

Always on the hunt for Sydney’s best beaches, our quest recently took us to nearby Coogee Beach for a glorious, sunny day. Despite growing up in Sydney, I’d never been to Coogee until this day. Big mistake, as it turns out I’ve been missing out on one of Sydney’s gems for years.

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

Coogee Beach is quiet compared to the biggies (Bondi, Manly, etc), filled with locals instead of tourists. The vibe is much more laid-back, and the beach usually has far less bodies on it than the more famous ones. Given how stunningly beautiful Coogee Beach is, it’s surprising that it’s not swarming with sun-seekers all year-round.

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

First stop: food. We lunched at the newly renovated Coogee Pavilion (check out the full review here). Their pizza is amazing and the Pavilion is filled with fun activities for kids, like the life-sized magnetic Scrabble board. (169 Dolphin Street, Coogee)

#Coogee Pavillion #Coogeebeach #Sydney #Australia via brunchwithmybaby.com

#Coogee Pavillion #Coogeebeach #Sydney #Australia via brunchwithmybaby.com

On the day we visited, there were free kite flying lessons on the beach, sponsored by the nearby Coogee Pavillion. Large sea-themed kites were set up on the beach and were as you’d expect, a magnet for all the children nearby. Friendly staff handed us a regular-sized kite on arrival and showed Missy E how to fly it. Within a few months she was off and running and her first kite was flying high.

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

coogee-20

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A scenic stroll around the foreshore brought us to the Coogee Beach Playground at Grant Reserve (Beach st, Coogee).

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

This large playground includes climbing structures, slides, swings and more, set next to barbecues (perfect location for your next outdoor get together!).

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

After all the play, Missy E needed a rest, and actually fell asleep in the stroller as we walked along the boardwalk. Note to parents with kids who need to be strolled to sleep, this path, past the playground, is perfect for you.

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

The last stop on our Coogee day out was Gelatissimo (1/258 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee) for some really fine gelato and sorbet (my favourite is the Mango Sorbet).

A Day At #Coogee #Beach via brunchwithmybaby.com

San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe {Best Sydney Beaches For Families}

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sydney living is at its best when you spend a day at the beach. A dear friend lives with her two kids in the Sutherland area, so I particularly love getting over to her part of Sydney to explore her favorite places to take kids to eat and play.

On this particularly warm spring day, we ventured over to San Souci beach, starting at the large playground behind the surf club.

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

I’ve always found it’s best to let my kid run off as much steam as possible before sitting down for lunch, so we had a long play session on the equipment, which includes a climbing play set, swings, slides, a play boat and even a pretend water ski.

After we were all played out and starving, we walked back to the cafe nearby, Kiss The Barista, for lunch overlooking the pristine white beach.

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

We found colouring books and tubs of crayons at the entrance so each of our little ones could entertain themselves while we waited for lunch. We didn’t see a separate kids’ menu so we ordered them meals off the main one: a croissant with jam, a toasted ham, cheese and avocado sandwich, poached eggs on toast with haloumi and spinach for me, and a fruit salad with yoghurt and cereal for my friend. The kids also received a babyccino and kids’ milkshakes, all of which came in takeaway containers for easy drinking and no spills.

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

The cafe vibe was relaxed, with lots of families and little kids also dining there. Our food arrived pretty quickly and was all very tasty. My eggs and toast were delicious, and the haloumi was a great addition to add a bit of extra taste to the dish.

After lunch, we walked out the front door to the beach for more play time. Be sure to bring your sand toys and plenty of sun screen!

A Day At San Souci Beach + Kiss The Barista Cafe #Sydney via brunchwithmybaby.com

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Kiss The Barista
Sanoni Avenue
Sans Souci, NSW, 2219
Ph: 0433 582 582
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily, 6am-5:30pm

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