The Eastern Suburbs is one of Sydney's best-served areas for free family activities. Randwick City Council alone runs one of the most active library event programs in Greater Sydney, and the area's beaches and parks add a layer of free outdoor activity that most suburbs can't match.
Here's what's worth knowing.
Randwick City Council Libraries
Randwick City Council operates four library branches — Randwick, Lionel Bowen (Maroubra), South Maroubra, and Kingsford — and runs a consistently large children's program across all of them.
What's on regularly
- Storytime (ages 3–5): Weekly sessions at each branch. Most are drop-in with no booking required.
- Baby Rhyme Time (ages 0–2): Nursery rhymes, action songs, and sensory play for babies and toddlers.
- STEM and maker sessions (ages 6–12): Randwick Library runs periodic coding, robotics, and 3D-printing sessions for school-age kids. These require booking and fill quickly.
- School holiday programs: Randwick runs a dedicated holiday program each term across its branches. Sessions range from craft and art workshops to science experiments. Book early — programs at the Randwick and Lionel Bowen branches fill within days.
Library highlights by location
Randwick Library (Belmore Road) runs the highest volume of programs in the network, including specialist STEM sessions for older children.
Lionel Bowen Library (Maroubra) is the go-to for families in Maroubra, Pagewood, and Daceyville. Large children's section, regular Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time.
South Maroubra Library runs a smaller but consistent program including Baby Rhyme Time — good for families in South Maroubra and Hillsdale.
Kingsford Library covers Kingsford, Kensington, and the student population around UNSW. Children's sessions here attract a mix of local families and international student parents.
Browse all Eastern Suburbs kids' activities →
Bayside Council
Bayside Council covers the southern half of the Eastern Suburbs corridor — Rockdale, Brighton-Le-Sands, Bexley, Arncliffe, and surrounds. The Rockdale Library branch runs Storytime and children's programs throughout the year.
Bayside also runs occasional school holiday workshops at its community centres. These are smaller in scale than Randwick's programs but worthwhile for families in the southern reaches of the area who can't easily reach Randwick.
Parks and Outdoor Free Activities
The Eastern Suburbs has some of Sydney's most accessible free outdoor space.
Centennial Parklands
Centennial Parklands is genuinely exceptional — 360 hectares of parkland with multiple playgrounds, duck ponds, cycling tracks, and dedicated fenced areas for young children. Entry is free. Parking is available (fee) on weekends, or walk in from Randwick, Woollahra, or Paddington.
Best for: All ages. Multiple fenced playgrounds for under-5s. Enough space that older kids can run without supervision becoming stressful.
The Beaches
Coogee, Maroubra, Clovelly, and Bronte beaches are all free and within 10 minutes of most Eastern Suburbs suburbs. Maroubra and Clovelly have the calmest water and are the most toddler-friendly. Bronte has a protected ocean pool that works well for kids who aren't confident swimmers.
Tips for Eastern Suburbs Families
- Randwick library programs are in high demand. The Randwick branch in particular runs some of the best STEM sessions in the city, and they book out fast. Add a reminder a week before each school holiday so you can book as soon as programs open.
- Centennial Park is best on weekdays. Weekend crowds at the playgrounds and duck pond are significant. Weekday mornings are much calmer for young children.
- Bayside and Randwick run separate calendars. Don't assume a program listed at one council appears at the other. Little Rascal pulls both onto the same calendar so you can see everything in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free kids' activities in Randwick?
Randwick Library runs the most consistent free kids' program in the area — Storytime, Baby Rhyme Time, and school holiday workshops year-round. Centennial Parklands is the best free outdoor option for all ages.
Are there free toddler programs in the Eastern Suburbs?
Yes. Baby Rhyme Time runs at Randwick, Lionel Bowen, and South Maroubra libraries and is designed for 0–2 year olds. Sessions are typically free and drop-in.
What's the best beach for young kids in the Eastern Suburbs?
Clovelly Beach has a calm, enclosed ocean inlet that is ideal for young children and those who aren't confident in surf. Maroubra is the flattest beach and has the most family facilities nearby.
What kids' activities run in Maroubra?
Lionel Bowen Library in Maroubra runs regular Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time sessions. Maroubra Beach has free swimming year-round, and Heffron Park has playground facilities suitable for 2–10 year olds.
See All Eastern Suburbs Events
Little Rascal lists free and paid kids' activities across Randwick, Maroubra, Coogee, Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs — updated daily.