Whether you rely on public transport to get around, have train loving kids or like to mix up your outings, here is a list of free things to do with little ones by train.  The list of train adventures includes playgrounds, libraries with rhyme time and shops with play areas in and around Parramatta, all within easy walking distance of a train station.
Click the train line name to go to the timetable and the train station name for station details. Here is the Sydney trains suburban network map. Please comment below if we have left something off the list.
1T5: Cumberland Line | Merrylands to Blacktown
Jubilee Park, Parramatta CBD
Merrylands Station (pram friendly)
- Granville Park – there is a fabulous water playground here, along with a wonderful traditional playground, skate park, picnic facilities and sporting fields.
- Holroyd Gardens – Holroyd Gardens is a fantastic regional park where you can ride on the purpose built bike training track, play in the two playgrounds and have a picnic or bbq, explore the old brickworks, fly a kite or just generally relax in the park.
- Stockland Merrylands – there is a free kids play area next to the food court. The shopping centre also has double trifecta with Kmart, Target and Big W as well as Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
Harris Park Station
- Rosella Park, with playground and Sweetland Patisserie nearby.
Parramatta Station (pram friendly)
- Parramatta Library – there are rhyme times on Tuesday to Friday mornings.
- Westfield Parramatta – there is a free play area with climbing play gym on level 5, outside Coles.
- Jubilee Park – The recently upgraded playground at Jubilee Park has a range of nature based play elements, including a water pump and wood stumps. There is also a maze, see saw and swings.
- Lil Miss Collins – this pop-up cafe has a little kids play area and chickens, plus a kids menu.
- James Ruse Reserve – there is a fantastic water playground, great ‘dry’ playground, skate park and picnic facilities.
Wentworthville Station (pram friendly)
- Wentworthville Library and playground – Wentworthville library has a large kids area, wonderful toy library and a great weekly reading program for little ones on Tuesday to Friday mornings. There is also a fenced playground outside at the back of the library.
- Wentworthville Swimming Pool – the pools at Wentworthville are a really lovely place to take the family. It has partially shaded toddler and program pools, fenced playground, BBQ and a 50m pool.
Blacktown Station (pram friendly)
- Francis Park – There is plenty to keep the kids happy at the large, popular park at the Blacktown Showgrounds. From shaded play equipment to a water playground and yummy Grounds Keeper Cafe.
- Westpoint Shopping Centre – we understand there is a free kids play area but haven’t been yet.
2T6: Carlingford Line | Carlingford to Clyde
Carlingford Station (pram friendly)
- Carlingford Library – Preschool Storytime is held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 to 11:00am during the school term.
Telopea Station (pram friendly)
- Courtyard Dining & Espresso – family friendly cafe on the western side of the train station, with colouring in and $1 babycino’s.
- Elizabeth Macarthur Reserve – playground for preschoolers and young primary school kids.
- Dundas Branch Library
- Vineyard Creek Reserve – 2.5km of bushwalking track, with a waterfall and water reservoir. Great bushwalking spot for kids.
- Sturt Park – Home to the Telopea Skate Park, this open space has a little bit of everything. A full size basketball court, a cricket batting cage, a football oval, skate park, playground, bbqs and picnic area. There are even toilets!
- William Wade Park – cute, nautical themed playground for little ones.
Dundas Station (pram friendly)
- Winjoy Reserve – small playground behind the Dundas shops.
- Fred Robertson Park – this small playground was upgraded in June 2017 and has a nice bush setting and nature play elements.
- Vineyard Creek Reserve –
- Dundas Sports and Recreation Club – Chinese restaurant with play area
- William Reserve – ninja warrior style playground and lots of open grass to run around on.
- Big Tree House Cafe
Camellia Station
- James Ruse Reserve – there is a fantastic water playground, great ‘dry’ playground, skate park and picnic facilities.
Rosehill Station (lots of stairs)
- Biplane Park – plane themed, small playground
Clyde Station
- Granville Memorial Park – fenced playground
- Granville Swimming Centre
3T1: Northern Line | Eastwood to Burwood
Eastwood Station (pram friendly)
- Eastwood Park
- Eastwood Library – there is Storytime every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am during school term and Ryde Rockers Rhyme Time on Wednesday at 2pm and Friday at 10.30am.
Denistone Station
West Ryde (pram friendly)
- Anzac Park – there is a popular, shaded playground at the park with swings, climbing play gym and see saw. Plus there are a few yummy, kid friendly cafes back up on Ryedale Road near the station.
- West Ryde Library – there is Storytime on Wednesdays at 11am and Ryde Rockers Rhyme Time on Monday and Tuesday at 2pm as well as Friday at 10:30am.
Meadowbank Station (pram friendly)
- Memorial Park – Great, nature based playground up on the hill, looking over Parramatta river (through the trees).
- Meadowbank Park – The large Meadowbank Park, along Parramatta River, has three playgrounds set amongst 10 sporting fields, tennis courts and netball courts.
Rhodes Station (pram friendly)
- Phoenix Park – This colourful, artist inspired park opened in 2016. It has a gorgeous medium sized playground, BBQs and plenty of open space to enjoy.
- Brays Bay Reserve
- Peg Paterson Park
- Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre – free kids play area under travelator near Lily’s cafe and Oliver Brown as well as Ikea, Target, Coles, cafes and restaurants.
- Bare Witness – family friendly cafe in The Connections, Rhodes
- Bennelong Bridge – pedestrian and cycle bridge, with lovely views over Parramatta River.
Concord West Station (pram friendly)
Burwood Station (pram friendly)
- Westfield Burwood – free children’s playworld is located on Level 2 near Woolworths.
- Burwood Park – a pleasantly surprising oasis right in the heart of Burwood. The large park has a fenced playground, pond, picnic facilities and cafe.
4T1: Northern Line | Epping to Hornsby
Boronia Park
Epping Station (pram friendly)
- Boronia Park – This recently upgraded playground ticks all the boxes and should be a real delight for babies through to early primary school kids.
- Epping Library
Beecroft Station
- Beecroft Train Park – fenced playground right next to the train station, great for under 5s.
Pennant Hills Station (pram friendly)
- Wollundry Park – great, fenced playground with fire engine.
- Pennant Hills Library – rhyme time sessions are held at 10am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday as well as Wednesday 11am.
- Hotel Pennant Hills – delicious food, great indoor play area.
5T2: Airport, Inner West and South Line | Auburn to Lidcombe
Auburn Station(pram friendly)
- Auburn Park – playground was upgraded in July 2017 and the park also now has bbq and picnic facilities, plus exercise equipment.
Lidcombe Station (pram friendly)
- Remembrance Park – fenced playground.
