This World Heritage-listed park covers 85 hectares, with Old Government House at its heart. Paperbark Playground near the George Street gate is built for kids of all abilities, and another playground sits on the Westmead side. There are 14 free barbecues, picnic shelters and accessible toilets across the park.

Volunteer guides at Old Government House adapt their tours for young visitors, and the old kitchen and bedrooms show daily life in the early colony. It opens on weekends from 11am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. A family ticket is $42, under-5s are free, and the ground floor takes wheelchairs.

Elizabeth Farm has no room barriers, so families can sit at the table, read the family letters and rest on the shady verandahs. The 1793 homestead in Rosehill opens Friday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Check school-holiday hours before you go.

Splasher's Water Playground has dumping buckets, water cannons and slides in a shallow pool for young kids. Older swimmers can try the rapid river ride and the giant water slide. On the level two walkway, the Dive Into History display lets kids pose on the original Olympic medal dais.

Kids can weave through splashing fountains and water spouts, then dig in the adventure playground's sandpit. Free electric barbecues and grassy banks sit beside Lake Belvedere. Hire a bike to ride the shared paths past the Badu Mangroves.

Central Gardens in Merrylands West has two adventure playgrounds, animal enclosures, bush trails, ponds and barbecue areas. The animals can be visited from 9am to 4pm every day. In daylight saving the park stays open until 7pm, opening at 7.30am on weekdays and 8am at weekends.

Lifeguards return on Saturday 24 October, 11am to 7pm on weekends, then every day from 5 December. Council asks swimmers to stay in the marked area while lifeguards are on, and to wait three days after rain. A sandy entry, playground, café and bush trails fill out the reserve.

The gardens hold a fauna reserve and bird aviary, lakes with fish and ducks, and an equal access playground. They open 9am to 5pm daily (6pm on daylight saving weekends), and the animals until 4pm. Entry is free for Cumberland residents; other families pay $20 for two adults and two kids on weekends.

Netherby Cottage, the Fagan family's homestead, stands in Fagan Park with a museum next door. Around it are 11 themed gardens, two large playgrounds and a new Children's Forest. The park opens 7am to 5.30pm (6.30pm in daylight saving), and parking costs $7.50.

The Forest Walk at West Pennant Hills loops 1.8km past tall native trees, cabbage tree palms and cool gullies, in about 1.5 hours. Signs name the plants as you go. The track has many steps, so leave the pram in the car; toilets, barbecues and a café are in the forest.