Indoor Play Centres in Bayswater

Bayswater has three indoor play options, and the choice mostly comes down to how old your child is. Ninja Parc Bayswater is the one for kids who want to be pushed physically: an obstacle course venue for ages 4 and up, with a Warped Wall that has three height options so a child can set a target and come back to beat it. Reviewers keep mentioning the variety of obstacles, professional staff and easy parking directly outside, but also the age and height limits, with some obstacles suiting 7+ only. Under-8s need an adult in the course area, enclosed shoes are mandatory, and school holiday programs run as supervised full-day sessions. It gets busiest on Saturday around midday and is quietest on a Tuesday.

Peppy Planet Kids Indoor Playground Bayswater sits at the other end. Mamma's guide to indoor play centres in Melbourne's east describes it as a new large space filled with things to climb, bounce, slide and ride on, and reviewers single it out as clean, well maintained and especially good for toddlers and under-6s. Play sessions run four hours, walk-ins are accepted, and party rooms come decorated with catering included. Socks are required on the equipment. Older kids who need more of a challenge are likely to outgrow it. Note that it is listed as temporarily closed at the moment.

Coffee Pot Play Cafe is different again: a not-for-profit play cafe for all ages that reviewers describe as homely, with good coffee, milkshakes the kids ask for by name, and indoor soft play suited to babies and young toddlers. The outdoor area has more for active older children, though the overall equipment range is modest. It is as much a parent meetup spot as a play centre, and reviewers say opening days can be sparse.