If you still like to get out each day with your little one even when it’s raining, here are some ideas for things to do in the Hills and surrounds that won’t leave you drenched!
1. Head to a shopping centre that has indoor play equipment. If you’re feeling really adventurous you could check out The Monkey Bar at Rhodes Waterside which is fairly impressive! Otherwise North Rocks Shopping Centre has a new undercover play area outside and a little toddler play area just outside Pronto Rocks Café. Castle Towers has the Pirate Ship Playland located outside Gold Class Event Cinemas. Stanhope Village also has a good indoor one for toddlers near the Leaf Café. (Note, these spaces are really for toddlers only – kids any older would be bored or too big.) You could even head to Bunnings Castle Hill or Dural – they have great indoor play equipment. Click here for a full list of shopping centre play areas in the Hills (note, not all are indoors).
2. Let your child’s creative juices flow at the Little Plaster House. Located in Norwest Business Park, they’re open most days for casual visits (just check their website and give them a call to make sure they’re not closed for a party).
3. Visit an indoor play centre. Ones to check out are Croc’s Playcentres at Rouse Hill and Marsden Park. There’s also Lollipops Playland & Cafe in Castle Hill. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, there’s Planet Mino in Chatswood which is quite new, cool and a little different.
4. Go rock-climbing for something a little different. There are two options in Castle Hill – The Edge and Peak Pursuits.
5. Take a look at the Hills District Mums Activity Library – there are lots of ideas that will keep kids busy and engaged on rainy days.
6. Visit a library – there are libraries located across the Hills including Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Baulkham Hills, Dural, Pennant Hills, Carlingford, Stanhope Gardens, Riverstone.
7. Catch a movie – if you have young ones head to a ‘Bring Your Baby’ session at Event Cinemas Castle Hill or a ‘Spit The Dummy’ screening at Reading Cinemas Rouse Hill. Or check out what kid-friendly movies are on for those slightly older. Look for Event Junior as there is an intermission and modified lighting and sound.
8. Head to Kellyville Pets – have a coffee and say hello to the animals.
9. Seek refuge at Ikea! It’s great for a wander and a cheap lunch.
10. Check out a restaurant or café with indoor play equipment. We have some listed here (note, not all listed are indoors). You could also visit Wenty Leagues, The Australian Brewery, Pennant Hills Bowling Club, The Pennant Hills Hotel – these are just some of the pubs and clubs with play areas.
11. It’s already wet so why not head to Blacktown Leisure Centre for a swim? Check out the indoor wave pool and the toddler splash pool. Hornsby Aquatic Centre has another great indoor space. And Sydney Olympic Park has recently gone through an upgrade.
12. And if none of those appeal to you, embrace it. Put on your gumboots and go jumping in puddles!
