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Castle Hill
Croydon
Written by Amie Andrews, Nominated Supervisor | Castle Hill
Fun Things to Do with Babies and Toddlers in the Hills District
Getting out of the house with a baby or toddler is one of those things that takes twice as long as planned but is almost always worth it. Castle Hill is well set up for families with young kids — and if you’re exploring Hills District childcare options or just looking for somewhere to take your little one this week, here’s a local guide to what’s actually worth your time.
Outdoor spots that work for little ones
Castle Hill Heritage Park is the standout local option. It’s a 20-hectare heritage-listed site that was a government farm in the early 1800s — but what makes it practical for families is the flat, pram-friendly walking track and a solid playground right next to toilets and picnic tables. The path has educational signs about the Dharug people and the property’s history, so there’s something to read while your toddler does their best to eat gravel. Free, well-maintained, and good for a 90-minute outing with kids under five.
Erlstoke Park, off Excelsior Avenue, is worth knowing about too. It has a flying fox, a concrete bike track, and age-appropriate play equipment for younger children, plus BBQ facilities. Smaller than Heritage Park but handy for a quicker outing when you just need to get outside and burn some energy.
Free programs worth booking ahead
Castle Hill Library runs Baby Bounce for 0–24 month olds on Wednesday mornings, and Move and Groove for 18 months to 3 years. Both are free. Both fill up quickly, so book in advance rather than turning up on the day. The sessions use songs, rhymes, and books in a way that’s genuinely engaging for babies — not just something to sit through while you check your phone.
Messy Makers at Castle Hill Bowling Club runs every Thursday from 10:30am to 11:30am — a free hour of sensory play with cornflour, foam, shaving cream, that sort of thing. You need to be a club member, but joining on the day is fine. Bookings are essential because it fills. It’s the kind of session where you plan to be out by midday and your toddler is so deep into the cornflour that you end up staying to the end.
Indoor options and Hills District childcare activities on rainy days
Marshmallow Kids Café on Salisbury Road has soft play, a ball pit, and duplo alongside a café that does actual coffee. Cuto Kids Café at Showground Village is similarly set up — purpose-built play area, good food, and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than the bigger venues.
Area 51 opened at Home & Co. Castle Hill in early 2026 and is now one of the largest indoor playgrounds in Sydney at around 4,000sqm. The under-2 toddler zone is physically separated from the main floor, which matters when your small person would otherwise get cleaned up by an eight-year-old at full speed. There’s a café on-site and plenty of seating for parents.
The Castle Hill Farmers & Fine Food Market runs on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at Castle Hill Showground, 8am to 12pm. It’s not a kids’ venue specifically, but early Saturday mornings it’s pram-accessible, not crowded, and the kind of market where your baby collects a lot of attention from stallholders while you eat something warm. Real producers, decent coffee vans, and far easier than a shopping centre.
One more thing worth knowing
A lot of what makes these activities good for babies and toddlers — the outdoor movement, the sensory play, the time with other small people — overlaps with what quality early learning looks like every day. The same curiosity, social confidence, and physical development that happens at Heritage Park or Messy Makers is what good Hills District childcare builds on.
If you want to see what a play-based, outdoor-focused program looks like at Dashing Ducks Castle Hill, come and visit us at 14 Garthowen Crescent. Get in touch to arrange a visit, or read what other Hills District families have said.
Want to see our community for yourself?
Dashing Ducks is a family-owned child care centre in Castle Hill with over 30 years serving families in the Hills District. CCS-subsidised, EYLF-aligned, and built around real community — the kind that shows up in a yarning circle on a Tuesday afternoon.
Dashing Ducks
Friendly, Experienced Team
Family-Owned, always
Nutritious Meals daily
Our learning environment is designed to inspire curiosity and creativity, fostering a love for exploration while supporting every child’s.
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Holistic Learning
Approach
We focus on nurturing the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally ensuring they develop essential skills.
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Safe & Supportive
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We prioritise safety and well-being, providing a secure online space where children can explore, learn, and grow.
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Proven Adaptive
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Focusing on each child's strengths, boosting confidence and academic performance with measurable progress.
