Fun in the Sun with Kids: Gearing your kids up for summer

Spring has sprung and that means one thing in Sydney; time to pull out the beach towels, the bathers, the hats and the sunscreen because weekends by the water will soon be upon us. 

One of the most fabulous parts of Sydney-living is the beaches are another playground for children. From sand to water, the activities are endless, so make sure you’re organised for long days in the sun with our ‘Kids in the Sun’ guide. 

Play

From sandcastle making to frisbee throwing, the activities are endless on the beach. There’s an abundance of Nippers programs through Surf Life Saving Sydney, which caters for more than 7,500 children across the state.  

If you want to enrol your child in a Nippers program, they need to be five years old by October 1st. The programs run from October to March starting at about 8:45am on Sunday mornings for a couple of hours. You can find your local club here and more information about Nippers in New South Wales here. Your child and future “surf life saver in training” will learn basic surf and rescue skills, how to spot rips and catch waves. And they’re bound to make a few buddies along the way. 

If you are planning an all-day affair, beaches that have adjoining playgrounds will keep children entertained well into the evening. The Eastern Suburbs and Northern Beaches coastline has an incredible line-up of parks and beaches to explore. Discover some of Sydney’s finest in our Beach to Playground guide. If you prefer to steer clear of the sand, Sydney also has its fair share of splash parks, from Pyrmont’s Pirrama Park to Marrickville’s Steel Park.

For families in the city, there’s a fantastic bush school running in the Centennial Parklands which encourages kids outdoors to reconnect with nature. It’s perfect for anyone without a backyard. The program is a five week course, costing about $150, where children between two and a half and five can build cubbies, climb trees, make mud pies and discover different bugs amongst other adventurous activities.

Shop 

If the idea of all that swimming and exploring just has you thinking about your child’s wardrobe now, there’s a wide range of bathers and beach accessories already in Sydney stores. Country Road has a good range of bathers and boardshorts, while the accessorized goggles from Seed are a whole lot of fun, along with the jelly sandals and wide brimmed hats. Down That Little Lane is an excellent online store which aggregates kids fashion for you to purchase directly from the retailer online. For a quirky beach bag, beach booties, swimming caps or even a kaftan for your child you can find it there. Ponchos are definitely going to be a hit this summer which is a godsend for parents worrying about keeping their kids sun safe. There’s an adorable Country Road one available here.