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Mamma loves where she lives and how many family friendly treasures that have been found nearby. Monash has plenty of wonderful places to explore, delicious food to sample and simply spend time as a family. Here are Mamma’s favourite picks to be found in Monash.

parks and playgrounds

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valley reserve, mount waverley

Attention nature lovers! Adventure awaits at Valley Reserve Play Space. Winner of the 2016 “Best New Major Playspace - Victoria” in the Parks and Leisure Australia awards, it’s hard to believe that this playground, immersed in its surrounding bushland, is a stones throw away from cafes and the local supermarket.

cameron avenue & progress park playspaces, oakleigh south

Mamma can’t go past a good deal and two playgrounds for the price of one is as good as it gets. Cameron Avenue and Progress Park Reserve are a feast for the eyes, with brilliant pops of pink and yellow that carry across both spaces for the dopamine hit this Mamma needs after a *very* early morning. If Pinterest designed a playground - this would be it.

damper creek conservation reserve, mount waverley

Mamma just LOVES a good playground/trail combo and Damper Creek Conservation Reserve has just that. A really fun playground, in an 11 hectare bushland reserve with walking tracks.

rivett crescent reserve, mulgrave

Rivett Cresent Reserve is definitely not the biggest playground we’ve been to, but this little pocket park has everything you need. There is plenty of rope climbing opportunities here, with a spider’s web, rope tunnel and more! It also boasts a pommel walk and climber, 2 different sized slides, swings, balance beams monkey bars and rocker.

herriotts boulevard reserve, glen waverley

Herriotts Boulevard Reserve opened up in May and Mamma’s boys gave it the tick of approval. On the main play space there’s a double slide, monkeys bars, a flying fox, tic tac toe, rock climbing wall and more. It also boasts some different features with a ropes ladder underneath the structure which allows you to climb right up into the middle

westerfield drive reserve, notting hill

Have you ever been to a sensory playground? There is a NEW one that Mamma LOVES in Notting Hill.

jells park east playground, wheelers hill

YAY! We now have TWO NEW playgrounds at Jells Park to explore

waverley park playground, mulgrave

WE LOVE A NEW BIG PLAYGROUND and we know you do too! Waverley Park Playground is amazing.

authur street playground, ashwood

This playground is so sweet - it has a biscuit theme! If you look closely, you’ll see your classic choc chip cookies, a teddy bear biscuit and even a classic tick tock.

yabbie hill playscape at jells park, wheelers hill

YAY! The wait is OVER! Yabbie Hill Playscape is NOW OPEN AT JELLS PARK!

electra reserve playground, ashwood

Mamma presents to you, a hidden delight AND it is a 3-for-1 treat!

galbally reserve playground, hughesdale

We present to you - the rainbow playground! You really can’t go past a playspace that has pretty much EVERYTHING.

ellis park, mulgrave

Located within the Waverley Park estate, you will be feeling all nostalgic if you used to watch the football here, back in the day. There are plenty of nods to the past with the social club bench, signs for the gates and a reasonably priced parking fee etched into the playground design.

wellesley road reserve playground, glen waverley

This might just be Mamma’s favourite style of playground. A SENSORY playground. This renewed playspace has been beautifully designed to engage all sorts of play, via the senses.

central reserve playground, glen waverley

Watch out for the lions - they’ll get cha! Well, if you use them as a tunnel that is. Welcome to Central Reserve Playground.

samada street reserve, notting hill

It is almost like Mamma is starting to sniff out all of these brilliant little and HIDDEN playspaces, packed with such great goodies. Samada Street Reserve in Notting Hill has a fantastic little playground with ALL of Mamma's favourites.

napier park, glen waverley

Go visit the giant gecko at Napier Park with your little ones today!

eats

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mr grumpy, mulgrave

Grumpy by name but joyful by nature, this Mulgrave favourite is more than meets the eye. From the street, you would never guess Mr Grumpy’s Cafe was as large or as cheerful as it is. Mamma and the fam were certainly surprised to find out just how far back the undercover, heated courtyard stretched.

code five, wheelers hill

There’s just something about a cafe in the backstreets- everything feels quiet and calm.

scusa mi! italiano, glen waverley

Scusa Mi! Italiano is the perfect spot for a family meal. The restaurant is huge - yep, the entire extended family could join you for a special occasion if you wish - and it has some of the most amazing Italian flavours.

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kariton sorbetes, glen waverley

Mamma has never had an ice cream like the ones you will find at Kariton Sorbetes. This frozen treat shop - artisanal gelato if you please - is a real mix of influences and most significantly Filipino flavours.

hamlet, mount waverley

Tucked away in a little group of shops, Hamlet is a beautiful white building with a huge outdoor courtyard, as well as outdoor seating on the side of the building and out the front.

mackie mulgrave, mulgrave

Little brunch dates with a little mate are so so sweet … especially when they want the WAFFLES! Mackie Mulgrave is a gorgeous cafe. Perfect for those coffee dates, catch ups after the school drop off or family breakfasts.

the last piece eatery, mulgrave

This warm and inviting Italian restaurant is located right under the old seats of Waverley Park. The food is spot on (you have to try the pastas!) and the kids menu … well there is a whole page to choose from - it could just be the biggest kids menu in the EAST!

kaiju cantina, huntingdale

Mamma can’t decide what is better - the cool paintings on the wall, the great tasting beer OR the cool van-slash-kid magnet at the NEW Kaiju Cantina! These magical ingredients work so well together, making the brewery space a great place to visit with the family.

stanley, mount waverley

Dippy eggs, outdoor eating area, great coffee and delicious waffles - what a TREASURE!

places to go

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crocs indoor playcentre, clayton

Indoor playcentres are a godsend when the weather is less than ideal, and Clayton’s Crocs is no exception. With play zones for all age groups and a Muffin Break cafe for the grown ups, it’s the perfect place to escape the elements and entertain the kids for a few hours.

legoland discovery centre, chadstone

Everything is awesome! This is definitely worth a visit if there is a LEGO lover in your life; they will feel like they have stepped into their wildest dream at LEGOLand Discovery Centre

honeyccinos kids cafe, oakleigh

Attention south-east mammas! Oakleigh has just delivered a brand new cafe/playspace that kids and adults will both absolutely adore.

rainbow town play centre, glen waverley

Mamma is not sure if is the largest but it sure is the BRIGHTEST indoor playcentre in the EAST! Rainbow Town Play Centre is out of this world - Indoor soft play, ball pits, building brinks, rock climbing wall, trampolines, bumper cars and awesome slides!

wetlands adventure minigolf, wheelers hill

Putters UP! If your kids are anything like Mamma’s … they love a game of putt-putt. We are slowly making our way around all the courses in the east and this time, have found a DOUBLE hitter!

jells park, wheelers hill

127 hectares of parkland in the middle of Wheelers Hill this is a picnicker's dream.

creativesparx @ brandon park, wheelers hill

Seniors and children alike can make craft, paintings, science experiments - SLIME - paint rocks and SO much more!

homesglen bouldering wall, chadstone

Who says you have to head to the Grampians to test your rock climbing skills? Just head towards Homesglen Station and you will find a Bouldering Wall!