Top Kid-Friendly Cafés in Melbourne’s North

Café culture is part of the perks of being on maternity leave
When your babies are young, they’ll be happy to sit in the pram. But as you get closer to the 1-year mark, babies become more mobile and turn into high-energy toddlers and the requirements for what makes a good kid-friendly café become important.
Melbourne’s North has room to improve in this area so, before I go through our favourites, I thought I’d review what I think is worth looking for in a good kid friendly café:
- Enough room for pram mobility
- Change table in the bathroom (ideally accessible by both men and women)
- Comfy high chairs
- Good acoustics (not too noisy and won’t reverberate kids screams)
- Easy parking
- Supportive staff
- Large-ish tables (so you can move everything away from your handsy toddler)
- Kid or baby-friendly healthy food options
- Bonus points for baby activities – animals, playground etc.
With those criteria in mind, here are Fit For 2‘s favourite kid-friendly cafes in South Morang and the northern areas of Melbourne:
2 Beans and a Farm
10 Hathfelde Boulevard, Mernda, Ph. 9717 0978
With heritage charm and a modern Australian-meets-Spanish vibe, this café boasts an outdoor area with toys and is also pet-friendly for those with fur babies. There’s a ‘Little Beans’ (kids’) menu with an adorable kids’ grazing platter.
Rivers of Yarrambat
A nursery with a lake and ducks to feed, Rivers of Yarrambat is a very peaceful place to take the family. There is a cute little book swap available if you or your little one need something to distract. You can even order picnic hampers or attend a “coffee concert” as an activity.
Turners Bakehouse
Most of even the fussiest kids I know like toast. And Turners makes amazing toast. On days with good weather, the outdoor eating area is handy. Tables can be a little delicate and there can be some nice crockery, but if you’ve got ‘people-watcher’ children, it can be worth the challenge.
Mernda Adventure Park
Just the name says it all – adventure not only being the keyword but what to expect when visiting this playspace! Our mamma’s crew gave this park top marks for being challenging and fun. The playground’s large structure is noticeable from a distance because of its three huge colourful horse shapes. The little ones love exploring the different fort-like structures and nooks located throughout the different levels of the playground. Don’t forget to have a play – this place is fun for the adults too! There is a flying fox, slides, swings, tunnels and a rock climbing wall. Not to mention the shaded sandpit and tractor…
When in doubt – a takeaway coffee and a walk to a playground can be the perfect option to catch up with your adult friends while keeping the kids happy!
You can find Anita Guerra on Instagram
Anita Guerra runs Fit For 2 in Melbourne, Victoria . Learn more about Anita and Book your Trial today.