Looking for something do with the family this weekend? Try our definitive list of kid-friendly fun.
Splashing in a stream, finding a hidden waterfall, running through a real-life hedge maze: these are the moments when kids can really connect with nature. We want kids to explore the nooks, crannies and wild places at our houses and gardens, so we’ve created a list of 50 fun ways for kids (and parents) to play, relax, and get back to nature at the National Trust (NSW).
Everglades House & Gardens, Blue Mountains
1. Find a secret waterfall
The winding stone paths of Everglades House & Gardens twist and turn their way all the way through this stunning Blue Mountains garden. But one path in particular will take you down to a secret waterfall hidden in a rocky grotto surrounded by frothy ferns. Can you find it?
2. Have a leaf-boat race
Kids can get their hands wet in the bubbling creek that runs through the glades at Everglades House & Gardens. Find some small sticks and leaves and see if you can make a leaf boat that will make it all the way down the stream!
3. Make a spring flower crown
Have you ever stood under a cherry tree in full blossom? Everglades Gardens’ Cherry Terrace is a knockout in spring, with weeping blossom trees that shake their dazzling pink petals all over the lawn. Collect a few to make your very own flower crown, or see if you can find the other flowers that make this garden famous, including azaleas, bluebells and harlequin flowers.
4. Spot a bird from the lookout
Everglades Gardens offers magnificent views across Jamison valley to Mount Solitary. Bring along some binoculars so you can spot native birds like the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeets and Kookaburras in the surrounding bushland.
5. Make a nature diary
Can you draw a daisy? How about a bluebell? Bring along a notepad and some pencils and see how many flowers and trees you can draw while walking around Everglades Garden. Future botanists might also like to pluck a specimen or two to press between their note pages as a momento.
6. Stage a play
As you arrive at Everglades Garden’s main lawn you’ll spot an intriguing feature that looks like a stage. Could it be? Yes, this really is a garden amphitheatre (constructed in 1935) and it’s the perfect place for kids to shed their inhibitions and have a romp across the ‘stage’.
7. Search for Koi fish
There’s a very beautiful and mysterious Koi fish that lives in the pond outside Everglades House. Occasionally he peeps out from the pond grass. Can you find him? While fish-spotting, take a break and enjoy a pot of tea and fresh scones from the Everglades House tearooms (check the website for opening times).
8. See a peculiar bathroom
While you’re at Everglades House, duck in to have a look at the eye-popping original Art Deco bathrooms. Along with a very grand bathtub, there’s one very odd contraption – any idea what it was used for? (hint: it has something to do with steam)
9. Have a handstand competition
Down in the nursery terrace there’s a nice grassy area that also doubles as a perfect handstand and somersault training ground. There’s even a sign challenging kids to see how many they can do in one go. Gather your competitors and let the grassy games begin.
Plan your visit to Everglades House & Gardens in the Blue Mountains.
Norman Lindsay Gallery, Blue Mountains
10. Meet a magical pudding
Every October Norman Lindsay Gallery comes alive with Magic Pudding Day – a special day of family-friendly experiences celebrating the beloved children’s book, The Magic Pudding. There are crafts, a pudding trail, face painting and even a scrumptious ‘The Great Norman Lindsay Bake Off’ pudding competition. Book your tickets and plan a fun spring day in the Blue Mountains.
11. Go for a bush walk
Norman Lindsay’s former home in the Blue Mountains is bursting with beautiful artwork and sculptures, but the part that most kids love the most is located just outside the gallery. Wander down to the surrounding bushland and you’ll find a short scenic bushwalk that leads to stunning views across the Grose Valley. Can you spot Norman Lindsay’s old bush pool along the way?
12. Play spot-the-duck
There’s a fountain at Norman Lindsay Gallery that is home to a local family of ducks. Go in springtime and you might even be lucky enough to see a gaggle of baby ducklings paddling about. See how many you can count.
13. See inside a real artist’s studio
Tucked away at the bottom of the garden is a little yellow building that was once Norman Lindsay’s painting studio. Join a guided tour and you can see inside this magical space, complete with painting easel, Lindsay’s painting materials, and even one of his half-finished paintings.
14. Have a picnic and play hide-and-seek
A tip for the young at heart: the gardens at Norman Lindsay Gallery are perfect for picnics and a post-lunch game of hide and seek. Throw a picnic rug down on the lawns, then let the kids loose. Hide behind an elegant bubbling fountain, crouch inside the wisteria-strewn arbour, or duck around the house’s breezy verandas – this is a place made for playing and lazing away the weekends.
Plan your visit to Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains.
Old Government House, Parramatta
15. Go on a scavenger hunt
There are 10 little red birds hidden inside the rooms of Old Government House. Can you find them? The toy birds represent the crimson rosellas that are often seen flitting through the trees in Parramatta Park. Look through each of the historic rooms of Old Government House and see if you can find all 10.
16. Dress up in funny hats
Hanging in the foyer of Old Government House are a stash of colonial-era hats – try them on and see how silly you can look. From formal top hats to romantic country bonnets, you might be surprised how good you look in a 19th century outfit.
17. Travel back in time
Did you know that Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia? That means it’s really old. But the area’s history goes back even further to the Burramatta people, who lived in the area for 39,000 years before European settlers arrived. Visiting Old Government House is a bit like travelling back in time, where you can learn all about the stories of the Aboriginal and European people who once called this area home.
18. See a (very) old toilet
Surely the biggest question a kid can have about the 19th century is: what kind of toilets did they use? We have the answer, in the form of an original toilet and bed pan, hidden away in one of the bedrooms at Old Government House. See if you can find it, and try to imagine what life would have been like without plumbing.
19. Meet a ghost
Legend has it that ghosts occasionally walk the halls of Old Government House. Can you feel any strange vibes in the rooms? Hint: a ghost named the Lady in the Blue Dress is rumoured to have appeared on the landing upstairs. For a special candlelit ghost tour of Old Government House, join the family-friendly twilight tour and hear stories of spooky happenings experienced by volunteers, staff and guests.
20. Sit at the Governor’s Desk
Old Government House was the ‘country home’ of NSW’s first 10 governors from 1800 to 1847. Sit at the desk in the Governor’s Study, wave around a fancy quill pen, and pretend you’re a real-life governor.
21. See some crazy cockatoos
Parramatta Park is home to huge flocks of sulphur-crested cockatoos, many of which like to swarm over the roof of Old Government House and squabble loudly in the surrounding trees. There are also lorikeets, eastern rosellas, and if you’re a lucky birdwatcher, the golden whistler. Bring your binoculars and get exploring.
22. Spot a dragon
In summer, watch out for Eastern water dragons in Parramatta Park. This large semi-aquatic lizard can grow up to 90 cm and resembles a fairytale dragon. They like to lie around in trees soaking up the sun, but if you disturb them they’ll run away and plunge into the river to hide. Be alert next time you’re walking along the Parramatta River; you might spot one.
23. Ride a bike around the park
Biking the easy loop around World Heritage-listed Parramatta Park is a brilliant way to spend the day. The bike paths are safe for kids, plus they’ll take you right around the beautiful parkland, where cafes and iceblock-stops are easy to come by. Old Government House is right near the entrance to the park, so finish your day with a stop inside the house to soak up some of the area’s history and enjoy the great gift shop.
Plan your visit to Old Government House in Parramatta.
Retford Park, Bowral
24. Find your way around the garden with a map
Ready, set, go: the race is on to find all the destinations on the Retford Park art trail map. This fun map will lead kids right around the luscious grounds of Retford Park, through bamboo groves and leaf-strewn lawns, so they can take in all the main sights, including a few surprising sculptures hidden in the bushes.
25. Step inside a giant pink mansion
If you’ve always wanted to see inside a real-life mansion, Retford Park has it all: winding staircases, towering ceilings, enormous paintings and sparkling chandeliers. Join a guided tour group, and kids will be amazed by the grandeur of this 1887 mansion that was once owned by James Fairfax AC. The outside is a delightful shade of pink – but wait until you see the colours inside.
26. Run around with your dog
Retford Park is dog-friendly, so bring your dog on a leash and enjoy the sprawling gardens together. Kids might also enjoy trying to spot the other dog-themed items around the garden, which reflect former owner James Fairfax AC’s love for canines (see number 27 on our list).
27. Find a dog graveyard
It’s true, there really is a pet cemetery in the gardens of Retford Park. James Fairfax AC adored his dogs (he owned more than 13 of them!) and he buried many of his pets right here in the little graveyard, each with their own gravestone. It might take a bit of hunting to find it, but the graveyard is well worth looking for as it’s a fascinating marker of the mansion’s history and its dog-loving owner.
28. Play games on the lawn
Croquet and skittles might be games of a bygone era, but they’re still lots of fun for today’s kids, plus the best part is you can play them right on Retford Park’s front lawn. Ask our friendly staff to help you set up a game.
29. Eat cake
In the spirit of 19th century mansions, an afternoon is best spent drinking tea and eating sweets. Once you’re done exploring Retford Park, follow the path down to Hearth by Moonacres café for refreshments and a big piece of kid-friendly cake.
30. Climb a tree
Ever seen a tree that makes you say ‘wow’? Retford Park has lots of them. There are Algerian Oaks with swooping canopies that reach all the way down to the ground and make magical hideouts for climbing and hiding. There’s a secretive bamboo grove. There’s even an ancient 35-metre tall Bunya Pine, which is made less for climbing and more for admiring. While the adults stroll and enjoy the scenery, kids can get up close to nature at its best.
Plan your visit to Retford Park in Bowral.
Harper’s Mansion, Berrima
31. See inside a 19th century bedroom
If you climb the squeaky staircase inside Harper’s Mansion, you’ll arrive in a charming bedroom that hasn’t changed much since the 19th century. With the old iron bed, cross-stich artwork, and original children’s dolls, it’s a fascinating way to show kids the simplicity of life before technology.
32. Get lost in the maze
The first thing every kid wants to do when they arrive at Harper’s Mansion is get lost in the maze. This is one of Australia’s largest hedge mazes, so it’s a fun challenge finding your way through to the end. Planted in 1999, the Harper’s Mansion maze is a constant delight for children.
33. Have a picnic
Bring a picnic blanket and some lunch, then spread out on the lawns to enjoy blossoming flowers and garden beds bursting with vegetables and herbs. The garden at Harper’s Mansion is a little piece of paradise, and a perfect escape from screens. Kids will be far too busy exploring the winding pathways and playing tips on the lawns to even think about what’s on TV.
34. Run through the arbour
Tucked away on one side of the garden is a spectacular vine-covered arbour that is not only picture-perfect, it also makes a fun place for young children to race each other to the end. This is also perfect hide-and-seek territory for busy legs to burn off some energy.
35. Find your flower power
The gardens of Harper’s Mansion are filled with a large variety of flowers, including camelias, dahlias, and heritage roses. Some children will love figuring out which flowers are which, and jotting them down in a nature diary to document the day – just like the Victorians did 150 years ago.
Plan your visit to Harper’s Mansion in Berrima.
Saumarez Homestead, Armidale
36. Explore a super-sized historic mansion
Here’s your chance to see inside a real-life 30-room Edwardian mansion and imagine what life was really like more than 100 years ago. Families can book a tour of Saumarez Homestead, located on Anaiwan Country, Armidale, and get the complete history of this extraordinary mansion. Adults will love the historical facts; kids will love the super-sized house packed with curious furniture and stories.
37. Bring the dog
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome to trot and sniff their way around the gardens at Saumarez. Your dog will love the wide-open spaces, cute cottage gardens, and shade-dappled lawns, which are also coincidentally perfect for picnics.
38. See how people used to live on a working farm
Saumarez Homestead was a former grazing property and home to rural family life for more than 160 years. For today’s kids, it’s hard to imagine churning your own butter and riding your horse into town. Spending some time wandering the outbuildings of this historic property is brilliant time travel for kids – there are sheds, stables and even farm buildings with original agricultural machinery.
39. Smell the roses
Saumarez Homestead is home to a collection of 600 heritage roses. No need to count them! But do have fun exploring the Heritage Rose Garden when it’s in full bloom during summer. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the expansive Homestead gardens and allow lots of time to explore this spectacular heritage landmark.
40. Watch out for ghosts
Many visitors to Saumarez Homestead ask, ‘is it haunted?’ There have been a few reports of ghostly hands on backs, imprints left behind on beds, and even a few notes playing on the piano now and then. Go on a house tour and decide for yourself.
41. Run through autumn leaves
Autumn really puts on a show at Saumarez Homestead, and one of the major showstoppers is a Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair tree) that transforms into the most glorious of golds. Planted around the turn of the twentieth century, it’s thought to be one of the largest ginkgos in Australia. All tree-admiring aside, this is also prime leaf crunching territory for kids.
Plan your visit to Saumarez Homestead in Armidale.
Cooma Cottage, Yass
42. Play in the fresh country air
Located on Ngunnawal Country in Yass, Cooma Cottage is a rural treasure surrounded by rolling paddocks and views down to the Yass River. It’s idyllic country for kids to run around and explore, plus it comes with a rich history – the Ngunnawal people lived and cared for this country for thousands of years, and Cooma Cottage itself was the home of Australian-born explorer, Hamilton Hume.
43. Explore inside a historic bungalow
With its many rooms, and historic atmosphere, Cooma Cottage is a true time capsule of 19th century life. Children will enjoy peeking inside the rooms and soaking up what a 150-year-old home really feels like.
44. Spot a rare eagle
Did you know the open woodland around Cooma Cottage is home to the rare Little Eagle? These small, powerful eagles are native to Australia, so keep your eyes peeled for their distinctive brown and white feathers. There are also other raptors gliding around the skies here, such as Kites – the bird variety, although this is also a great place to bring a man-made kite as well!
45. Count sheep
The paddocks surrounding Cooma Cottage are often dotted with sheep and the occasional horse. For city kids, this is a fun chance to see grazing animals up close. Take a look inside Cooma Cottage’s 19th century stables and you’ll also see where Hamilton Hume once kept his own horses.
Plan your visit to Cooma Cottage in Yass.
Dundullimal Homestead
46. Ring the church bell
First one to find the Timbrebongie Church gets to ring the bell! Get the kids to explore the vast grounds of Dundullimal Homestead in Wiradjuri Country, Dubbo, and they can even have a go at ringing the bell of the property’s historic timber church.
47. See inside a stable
Dundullimal Homestead was originally a 10,000 hectare working property. Today, it still has lots of remnants of its rural past, including sandstone stables and a blacksmith’s forge. Kids will not only be able to see and touch the old equipment, they’ll also get a sense of working life on a sheep and cattle station.
48. Ride your bike
Bring your bike to make the most of the nearby Tracker Riley Cycleway. This great 13km cycleway loop is named after Dubbo’s famous Alec ‘Tracker’ Riley, the first Aboriginal tracker to reach the rank of Sergeant. It’s right near Dundullimal Homestead and a great way to get the kids on the bikes while experiencing the natural beauty of the Macquarie River.
49. Bring the dog and the football
There are lots of paddocks and wide-open spaces at Dundullimal, making it the ideal location for a family picnic. Pack a soccer ball for the kids to putter about, and you can even bring along the family dog to enjoy the dog-friendly grounds.
50. Eat an ice cream
A day spent out in nature with the kids usually ends in choruses of ‘I’m hungry’. Stop into Dundullimal’s Shed Café for ice creams and Devonshire Tea for a great end to an adventurous day.
Plan your visit to Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo.
Explore more
There are lots of other National Trust gardens, galleries and house museums to explore around NSW. Subscribe for what’s on and never miss a great day out. Whenever you visit a National Trust place or become a member, you’re helping to support our work conserving heritage for future generations. Thank you for your support.
Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin
Email