Becoming a parent doesn’t suddenly take away your need to socialise and get out of the house, but navigating leisure activities with a kid can be a bit of a challenge at times! The answer to this is finding a balance between your needs and the needs of your child, which is tricky but still manageable if you think smart. A good compromise for your sanity and your kids’ enjoyment are finding cafes that include playgrounds and fun activities for your kids at the same time. Fortunately for parents on the East of Melbourne, there are quite a few options here. In this article, we’ll take you through some of our favourite cafes with playgrounds.

Cubbyhouse Canteen and Union Street Playground, Armadale

The Cubbyhouse Canteen is a perfect fit if you’re after a cuppa with friends, as it’s right next to the Union Street Playground. 

Switch & Sip Cafe, Templestowe

This cafe is specially aimed at being kid friendly, and as a bonus there are heaps of under-cover kids activities within the cafe itself, making it a rain-friendly option too!

Gembrook Leisure Park and Spencer’s Store, Gembrook

Another great cafe right next to a playground here. Gembrook Leisure Park is an urban gem that has something for any little one, and with the cafe right across from it, it provides some welcome downtime for parents too.

Country Heart Cafe and Hookey Park, Mooroolbark

This cafe is right by the station for easy access, and you’ve got the option of visiting both the library and nearby Hookey park after your arvo cuppa.

The Local Umbrella, Croydon

We absolutely love the inclusiveness at this gem of a cafe. The Local Umbrella prides itself on being inclusive to all, be it race, gender, sexuality, or neurodiversity. There are plenty of activities for kids right in-store too.

Mont Albert North Reserve and Matilda, Mont Albert North

This reserve is fantastic for all those high energy families, it even has a running track and oval in addition to play equipment! Once you’ve burnt off a bit of energy, there’s a laneway just past the oval that will take you to Matilda’s Cafe for a cuppa and a cool-down.

Glen Park Playground and Cafe on the Park, Bayswater North

Glen Park Playground is a great spot for kids young and old, with heaps of equipment that caters to a wide range of developmental ages. When you’re done, Cafe on the Park is right next door.

Posie Project and Montrose Community Playground, Montrose 

The Montrose Community Playground is a really cute animal-themed playground, set in picturesque parklands. There are barbeque facilities on-site, but Posie Project next door is also a perfect place to visit for some cafe food or even a little gift for a loved one – there’s a built-in gift shop along with the coffee and cakes.

King’s Cafe, Warragul

What a perfect place for you and your little ones. King’s Cafe has their very own outdoor playground that’s safely fenced and right next to the outdoor seating at their cafe. They even have shade sails up over the play equipment, to help keep your kids safe from the sun while you enjoy your morning latte.

Primary at Pioneers Park, Berwick 

Primary@Pioneers is a modern cafe and event centre with a really cool history – it was opened in 2005 at the site of the old Berwick Primary school! Naturally, they have one hell of a playground, along with some really top chefs.

Puffing Billy Park and Playground and Emerald Village Bakery and Cafe, Emerald

Puffing Billy is quite honestly iconic and you really should have a visit there at least once while your kids are still little. Once you’re done riding the old school steam train with the littlies, drop into the local park and playground with a takeaway cake and cuppa from Emerald Village Bakery and Cafe. The prices are pretty reasonable and it’s the perfect way to wind down after a fun excursion with the kids.

Melba Park and Harrow and Harvest, Lilydale

Harrow and Harvest is an extremely cool cafe, situated in a retired church. They are really heavy on supporting women in local business, and are just down the road from the very lovely Melba Park. Great food, and a great way to support your locals while you hang out with the kids.

The Coffee Pot Play Cafe, Bayswater

Located in The Orchard Church of Christ, this cafe has a joint outdoor/indoor play area for your little ones, making it super versatile, even in inclement weather conditions. It’s kinda cute too.

Conservatory Cafe and Wyreena Playspace, Croydon 

The Wyreena Playspace is a council-operated play area with a cafe built right on top within the community centre. There’s also really nice parkland nearby in the reserve, and a nearby art gallery too. 

Red Gum Cafe, Templestowe

Red Gum Cafe in Templestowe is another great choice that doesn’t rely on perfect weather for your kids to access the play area. The cafe has an extensive indoor/outdoor playground, even including a sandpit outside. Indoors you’ll find dolls, nooks and more for your little ones to enjoy while you enjoy your wind-down.

Briquettes Coffee Shop and Victoria Park, Kew

Briquettes has got to be one of the cutest little coffee shops ever! It’s a teeny tiny little place right across from the Victoria Park Playground.

The Hub Play Cafe, Boronia

The Hub Play Cafe in Boronia is such a cozy little place. If the weather is nice, there’s a great big play area outside with a fire truck and a sandpit, with more toys inside for those rainy days.

Last Piece Eatery and Waverley Park Playground, Mulgrave

The Waverley Park can be found right next to the community footy oval. Nearby you’ll find The Last Piece Eatery. It’s a little further away from the park than some of the other options, but we think it’s still worth the trip. Plus, Waverley Park is massive too!

Newhope Playspace, Blackburn North

NewHope PlaySpace in Blackburn North is a perfect place if you’re looking for a more baby and toddler friendly play area with a cafe. Let’s be honest – it can be really difficult to find safe spaces to play for your much littler ones, a lot of the playgrounds are aimed at kids aged 5 and above. This place is the exception, with a wonderful soft play area indoors for the little ones, heaps of toys, and another playground outside for the bigger kids. Everybody wins here.

Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and Miss Lucy, Blackburn

Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is a gorgeous place to visit if you’re a fan of natural spaces. There’s a lovely pond and walking tracks integrated with the playground, and Miss Lucy cafe is right there where you need it too. You could easily lose a few hours relaxing here and talking to the kids about all of the wildlife you can see, after a good play on the slides.

Dancing Dandelion, Balwyn

All we can say is “wow!” when it comes to Dancing Dandelion. This place is a dedicated kids playspace, with multiple play areas and everything a kid could ever want. Along with the cafe, they also cater to parties here. We’re pretty sure this would be a wonderful place for a kids birthday party, on top of being a great local place to pop in for a cuppa with the little ones in-tow.

Image Source: Holly Aldred via Google Images

Marie Wallace Train Park and Dröm, Bayswater

The Knox City Council really outdid themselves when they upgraded the iconic Marie Wallace Train Park recently. This is an expansive outdoor play area with all sorts of options supporting imaginative play. Once you’re done there, head over to Dröm for a cuppa and a bite to eat; it’s only a five minute walk away.

Image Source: Visit Victoria Website

Wonguim Wilam And Arthurs Creek Coffee Co, Warrandyte

If your kids have designs on being a pirate, this might just be the playground for you! Rounding out our playground/cafe combo suggestions, this entire place is full of natural wooden cubbies and climbing ropes, and is only a shirt walk from the Yarra River. Grab yourself a takeaway coffee from Arthurs Creek Coffee Co and head on over.