The glittering Gold Coast has a lot to offer families – from beaches to theme parks, and shops, there is something to please even the harshest critics. With perfect weather year-round, playing outdoors on the coast is an activity many families enjoy and rightly so. We have written this blog post to share with you, all the best toddler playgrounds on the Gold Coast.
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We know heading to the playground with a toddler can be tricky at times, but several things can make your outing easier, such as nearby toilets, fenced playgrounds and equipment suited to toddlers.
Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast
Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground
Parents of toddlers rejoice, Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground is a fully-fenced, well-shaded play space that keeps children entertained for hours and easily made the list of the best toddler playgrounds on the Gold Coast. Co-designed between the Gold Coast City Council and Disability Service Queensland, this amazing playground gives children of all abilities a chance to have fun and play together.
There are many opportunities for sand, imaginative play, and swinging and sliding in this colourful playground. Toilet facilities, picnic tables, BBQs and a nearby beach make Kurrawa All-abilities playground a superb destination playground for young families.
Why it’s one of the Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast: What we liked about this park was being fully fenced; we were able to let our toddlers run around without too much stress.
Features: Fully fenced, flying fox, swings, slides, Liberty swing, climbing equipment, sand play, near the beach, BBQs and picnic tables, accessible toilets.
Location: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
Read our detailed in-person review of Kurrawa All-Abilities Playground
Broadwater Parklands
The play area at Broadwater Parklands is suited to children of all ages, with toddlers well catered for. The shallow water play area, complete with sprinklers, waterfalls and a splash pool, is popular for little ones to splash about it.
Children learning to navigate wheels will love zipping around the mini-traffic track, or for a more structured ride, can go on the pedal-powered monorail (smaller children may need someone with longer legs to help pedal). This playground is only partially fenced and near a beach and carparks, so always exercise caution with young children.
Features: Partially fenced playground, jumping pillow, water play area, pedal monorail, Liberty swing, slides, climbing equipment, adjacent to the beach, BBQ, picnic tables, café and accessible toilets.
Why it’s one of the Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast: During our visits, we found toddlers seemed particularly attracted to the jumping pillow and pedal monorail.
Location: Marine Parade, Southport
Read our detailed in-person review of Broadwater Parklands
Palm Beach Parklands
This nautical-themed playground near Currumbin Creek will spark your toddler’s imagination as they pretend to be sailors, pirates or other nautical characters. Toy cannons, treasure chests, maps and a rowboat are spread throughout the playground, as is a wobbly suspension bridge, swings, slides and other fun play structures.
Pack the bikes and/or scooters to take advantage of the paths from the playground and beyond. Having a treat at the nearby café or playing and paddling at the creek is another great activity when visiting Palm Beach Parklands.
Why it’s one of the Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast: Did you see the pirate ship? Toddlers will spend hours enjoying the themed nature of this playground.
Features: Nautical theme, flying fox, suspension bridge, swings, slides, climbing equipment, pathways, near Currumbin Creek, café, BBQs, change rooms, showers and toilets.
Location: 945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Read our detailed in-person review of Palm Beach Parklands
Ronnie Long Park
Located next to the Tallebudgera Surf Club, Ronnie Long Park provides a colourful, Surf Lifesaver-themed playground for families to enjoy when visiting the Gold Coast. This partially fenced playground is divided into two areas, with one area particularly wonderful for toddlers. Featuring a smaller climbing frame with a slide, swings, and merry-go-round, toddlers will enjoy using their imagination and energy as they climb, swing and slip on the equipment.
The adjacent green space, toilets, Surf Club and beach invite families to linger longer as they bask in the beauty of this beachside setting.
Why it’s one of the Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast: Tallebudgera is, in our opinion one of the most family-friendly spots on the Gold Coast for water play. For visitors to the Gold Coast, this playground is the final HURRAH for your toddler before jumping back in the car for the long ride home.
Features: Partially fenced, swings, slide, climbing equipment, close to beach, plenty of green space, and toilets.
Location: 1505 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach North
Read our detailed in-person review of Ronnie Long Park
Pratten Park
One of the best toddler playgrounds on the Gold Coast, this beachside park has plenty to offer toddlers and their families, including a super cool pedal-powered monorail. While the park is not fenced, the monorail encircles the playground, providing a boundary of sorts, but care should be taken to avoid little ones escaping. Equipment suitable for toddlers includes slides, climbing opportunities, a small flying fox, a merry-go-round and other fun animals and boats to play on.
When you and your toddler tire of fun in the playground, head to the nearby patrolled beach to cool off and build sandcastles. BBQs and picnic tables are located by the park, so bring a snag to throw on the BBQ or have a picnic while enjoying the great outdoors on the Gold Coast.
Why it’s one of the Best Toddler Playgrounds on the Gold Coast: Unlike some of the other bigger playgrounds on the Gold Coast, Pratten Park is smaller and less overwhelming for smaller kids. Despite its size, it still comes equipped with a huge variety of toddler-suited play equipment. Plus its at the beach!
Features: Unfenced playground, partially shaded, small fort, pedal monorail, small flying fox, spring rockers, swings, slides, adjacent to beach, BBQs, picnic tables and accessible toilets.
Location: Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
Read our detailed in-person review of Pratten Park.
Other fun Gold Coast parks
- Frascott Park – Varsity Lake
- Damian Leeding Memorial Park – Oxenford
- Laguna Park – Palm Beach
- Tugun Park – Tugun
- Schuster Park Playground – Tallebudgera
- Harley Park – Labrador
Tips for Visiting a Gold Coast Playground with Toddlers
Visiting these fabulous Gold Coast playgrounds with toddlers can be fun but a mammoth task. Here are some tried and tested tips to make sure your playground visit runs smoothly:
- Have a variety of snacks available (playing is hungry work)
- Bring a full water bottle and additional cold water for hot days
- Be SunSmart by wearing hats and applying sunscreen regularly
- Pack a change of clothes for everyone
- Have bathers, rashies, towels and a wet bag for impromptu beach visits after park play.
- Bring sensible shoes and slip-on slides/thongs if you encounter sand, water etc.
- No matter what the age of the children, always have some wipes on hand
Indoor Play Options on the Gold Coast
Sometimes you want a break from the outdoors, especially if you have been chasing toddlers around the playground for ages. If that is the case, and you are looking for a more contained indoor play option, check out some of these Indoor Playgrounds at the Gold Coast.. These play centres usually cater for a range of ages, so each child’s needs are catered for under one roof.
The best toddler playgrounds on the Gold Coast
Frequently asked questions
What makes a great toddler playground?
When looking for the best toddler playgrounds on the Gold Coast, we first asked our Facebook community. This means that the list comes from first-hand experience. You might also like to look at playgrounds with equipment close to the ground, fencing and shade to allow parents to watch their kids without sitting in the sun. Toilets are also a must.
Do you need to pay to enter parks on the Gold Coast?
All community parks on the Gold Coast and in Queensland are free entry.
Do you need to pay to use the toilets at any playgrounds?
Public toilets in Australia are free.
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