Botany Bay

Botany Bay Family

From supported play in Botany to library sessions, holiday care, youth activities and family workshops around Botany Bay, there are practical ways to learn, spend time together and meet other families. Parents and carers can also access local help with child development, parenting and the transition to school.

🧸 Play, early learning and school readiness

Botany Family & Children’s Centre – Supported Playgroups

Weekly supported playgroups give children from birth opportunities for play-based learning during school terms, while parents and carers can connect and take part alongside them. Qualified early childhood educators lead the groups and can provide guidance or referrals where needed. The Botany centre primarily serves families in the Bayside and Randwick local government areas. For enquiries, call (02) 9666 5047 or (02) 9666 5067.

Botany Family & Children’s Centre – Transition to School Program

Children aged three and a half years and over can become familiar with school routines through this school-term program at the Botany centre. Qualified early childhood educators work with children and their parents, building independence alongside early learning, social and self-help skills. Families can enquire on (02) 9666 5047.

Bayside Council Libraries – Children’s and Teen Programs

Families can choose age-based early literacy sessions during school terms: Baby Rhymetime for babies from birth to 18 months, Toddlertime for children up to three, and Storytime for ages three to five. Walk-ins are welcome at Mascot’s early-years sessions, while Eastgardens sessions require bookings. The libraries also offer free holiday arts, craft and science activities for primary-school children, with advance booking required.

🎨 Family activities and school holidays

La Perouse Museum – Family Workshops

At La Perouse in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Randwick City Council’s museum offers creative, hands-on workshops drawing on artmaking, science and heritage. Activities are led by artists, educators and community knowledge-holders, and programs can be adapted for families. Contact lpm@randwick.nsw.gov.au to ask about current family sessions before planning a visit.

Kooloora Vacation Care

This nearby Little Bay and Malabar school-holiday program serves children aged 5–14 through centre days, incursions and excursions. A child must be five and have completed at least one school term before enrolling. New participants may need to attend a centre-based day before joining an excursion, so check the conditions early. Enrolment information, availability and current fees are published for each holiday period.

Arncliffe Youth Centre – Spring Holiday Programs

Nearby Arncliffe Youth Centre has scheduled spring holiday activities from 28 September to 9 October 2026. The program includes $5 sports sessions for children aged 8–11 and free activities for young people aged 12–25. Registration is essential. The Bayside Council venue has onsite support staff, accessible facilities and public-transport access; check the published session details for the appropriate age group before registering.

🌟 Activities and connection for young people

La Perouse Youth Haven (La Pa Bummers)

La Perouse Youth Haven provides a culturally appropriate service for Aboriginal young people aged 8–25 in the La Perouse community. Its program brings together cultural, educational and recreational activities. Young people and families can contact the service at youth@laperouse.org.au or on (02) 9311 4282.

Bayside Libraries – Dungeons & Dragons for Teens

Young people aged 13 and over can join monthly Dungeons & Dragons sessions at Rockdale Library. The role-playing format offers a structured social activity involving teamwork, storytelling and imaginative problem-solving. Sessions are free, but booking is required.

💡 Parenting, health and child development

Botany Family & Children’s Centre – Parenting Support

Parents and carers can access free group programs as well as individual or couple appointments. Options include Tuning in to Kids for adults caring for children aged 5–12, Tuning into Teens for those supporting young people aged 12 and over, and Dads Tuning into Kids. On-site child care may be available on request for an individual appointment when arranged at booking. Enquiries can be made on (02) 9666 5067.

Botany Early Childhood Health Centre

Families with children aged 0–5 can use this NSW Health child and family health service without a referral. Free support includes child health and development checks, information about feeding, sleeping, settling, development and behaviour, and attention to parent wellbeing. Staff can also make referrals where appropriate. Access is through the central intake number, 1300 244 288.

OneOnOne Children’s Therapy

Located nearby in Mascot, this children’s therapy clinic offers speech pathology, occupational therapy, Early Start Denver Model services and feeding support. Its child-and-family approach considers the everyday environments in which a child participates. The clinic is at Level 3, 244 Coward Street, Mascot, and general enquiries can be directed to (02) 8065 7837.

📌 A few practical checks before you go

• Confirm the age range: activities vary from baby sessions to programs for young adults, and some have firm school-attendance or age requirements.
• Book where required: holiday programs, school-age library activities, teen sessions and some early-years library locations require advance registration.
• Ask about access needs: contact the provider before attending if your child needs physical access arrangements, communication support or adjustments to participate.
• Check current program details: school-term and holiday schedules can change, while fees and vacancies may differ between holiday periods.
• Clarify supervision: ask whether a parent or carer must remain, particularly for workshops, playgroups and activities your family has not attended before.

✨ Add or update a family listing

If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Botany Bay and surrounding suburbs, you are warmly invited to add your offering or update its details. Sharing current age ranges, access conditions, booking requirements and contact information helps local families decide what suits them.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on botanybay.nsw.guide.