There is so much to do for families in our area. Here are some popular ways to spend time with children on the Northern Beaches.
Glen Street Theatre
Glen Street offers a wide array of children's and family theatre that will keep the whole family entertained.
Beach day
With 34 beaches to choose from, including harbourside, ocean and on Pittwater, you can explore the whole peninsula.
Nature walks
Lace up your walking boots and hit one of many accessible walking trails that will take you through beautiful ecosystems, an abundance of wildlife, cultural heritage and historical icons. Popular walks include Coast Walk trails, Narrabeen Lagoon, Stony Range Regional Botanic Gardens and Manly Dam.
Snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay
This iconic spot makes for a great day trip. Picnic at Shelly Beach, explore the trails on Shelly Headland and discover the amazing underwater world in the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve.
Fishing
If the adults have a fishing licence, you can take the kids to one of an endless supply of great fishing spots in the area. Share an old hobby or learn the ropes together! Popular spots include Little Manly Point, Narrabeen Lagoon and Manly Dam.
Take the dog to the park
Wear out your dog and the kids at one of our designated off leash parks or waterways. Popular off-leash areas include Bayview, LM Graham Reserve, Curl Curl Lagoon, McCarrs Creek Reserve and Sandy Bay at Clontarf.
Story and rhyme time
Library story times are a wonderful way to introduce young children to the joy of reading and an interactive session of rhymes, songs and movement to help develop early literacy skills. More.
Let's go fly a kite
Classic fun that can be done anywhere with a bit of open space, but Tania Park, Balgowlah Heights provides a stunning backdrop and plenty of perfect wind gusts.
Learn about bush tucker
Free and open every day of the year, Stony Range Botanic Garden is an oasis in the heart of Dee Why. Pack a picnic and take a stroll around the gardens learning about Australian native plants and bush tucker.
Coastal Environment Centre
This North Narrabeen institution will entertain adults and kids for hours with interactive and hands on displays, events and tours of the nearby rock platforms. More.
Community events
Northern Beaches Council runs fun family events all year round including Manly Jazz Festival, Manly Arts Festival, World Food Markets, Christmas events, Avalon Car Boot Sale and Creative Made Makers Market. What's on.
Teen-ragers
If your kids are a bit older, check out our youth program for band nights, art workshops, seminars and more. You might have to drop them off around the corner, but at least you know where they are!
Arts and crafts
Come and visit our Creative Space or our community centres that run lots of classes to channel the creativity.
Find some culture
Enjoy the cool, quiet surrounds of Manly Art Gallery & Museum. Showcasing an impressive permanent collection, the Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions that are sure to delight.
Get your hands dirty
Save your perfectly manicured garden by joining a local community garden and dig to your heart's content. Locations include Manly Vale, Avalon, Freshwater, North Curl Curl, Balgowlah, Manly, Seaforth and Newport.
Swimming
Take your kids down to where you learned to swim - our world famous rockpools are a great place to cool down, do some laps or have some splashing good fun. Otherwise we have two fabulous aquatic centres at Manly and Frenchs Forest that run swim programs for all ages and abilities.
Inflatable fun
Giant inflatables never go out of style. The kids will love to swim, climb and bounce the afternoon away. First Sunday of every month.
Tennis anyone?
With six courts and equipment to play a modified version of the game, Warringah Recreation Centre is the perfect place to introduce your grandchildren to the beautiful and social game of tennis (or squash or futsal).
Save the planet
There is more to Kimbriki than a place to drop off your green waste. Sign up for a workshop at Eco House and Garden or find a treasure at the Re-use Shop.
Set sail
Set sail on the sparkling waters of Pittwater and visit the beautiful Western Foreshore for a picnic or a swim.
Eco resort
Nestled on the fringe of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Currawong is a eco beach resort and a perfect family holiday location with a safe beach and rustic charm.
Mountain biking
For the thrill seekers out there, grab your helmet and your elbow pads and hits the mountain trails around Manly Dam. Or stick to the southern shore of the dam for a flat ride on concrete paths.
Second hand Saturday
Meet your neighbours, grab a bargain and help the environment too at a Second Hand Saturday garage sale. Why not give the kids a few dollars to pick out something they like? You'll be surprised at the treasures you might find!