Carrum Downs

Carrum Downs Family

From baby play and preschool stories to junior sport, youth activities and family support, Carrum Downs offers practical ways to meet other families, build skills and get help when it is needed. Local drop-in options make spontaneous outings easier, while nearby and regional services extend support across development, wellbeing and financial hardship.

✨ Play, movement and early learning

Lyrebird Playgroup

Parents and carers can enjoy relaxed play sessions with young children at Lyrebird Community Centre. The group runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 am to 12 noon, with no booking required. Casual attendance costs $5 per child; babies under 12 months attend free, and an additional-child charge applies for older children.

Lyrebird Baby Play Zone

Designed for babies under 12 months and their parents or carers, these free drop-in sessions provide an easy local opportunity for play and connection. Baby Play Zone is listed for Mondays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm at Lyrebird Community Centre, and families do not need to book.

Lyrebird Play ‘N’ Learn Occasional Care

Families seeking flexible care can enquire about ongoing bookings for children up to school age. Occasional care operates at Lyrebird Community Centre from Monday to Friday, 8.45 am–2.45 pm. Contact the service about available places and whether your family may be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.

11:11 Kindergym

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers can explore music, movement and equipment-based play at Eleven:Eleven Fitness, 11 Tova Drive. A parent, carer or another accompanying adult participates with each child. Classes are limited to 10 families, so advance booking is recommended.

📚 Stories, holiday activities and junior sport

Carrum Downs Library Preschool Storytime

Children aged three to five can share stories and early-literacy activities during this free school-term session. Storytime is held at Carrum Downs Library on Tuesdays at 10.30 am, with no booking required. Check the library events calendar before visiting to confirm the relevant term dates.

Frankston City Libraries School Holiday Activities

Free holiday events give school-aged children opportunities to make, learn and take part in organised activities at Carrum Downs Library and other Frankston City branches. Requirements vary between events, so review the individual listing for its recommended age, booking arrangements and whether a parent or carer must remain.

Carrum Downs Cricket Club Junior Cricket

Young people aged 9–18 can join age-based teams and develop their cricket skills through formats suited to emerging players. Training and match arrangements differ by age group. The club states that its coaches hold current Working with Children Checks; families can consult the junior cricket information when considering registration.

🌟 Young people and carer connection

Carrum Downs Hangout

Young people aged 12–24 can drop in for free during school terms at Lyrebird Community Centre. Running Thursdays from 3 pm to 5 pm, the Hangout offers access to a youth worker along with games, art, school-project support and a monthly cooking activity. The venue has ramp access, space for mobility aids and welcomes registered service animals.

MyTime Carrum Downs

This weekly peer group is for parents and carers of children under 18 who need a higher level of care because of disability, developmental delay, a chronic medical condition or other additional needs. Coordinated by Down Syndrome Victoria, it meets on Mondays from 10 am to 12 noon. Contact Madison King on (03) 9486 9600 for the venue and current group details.

🧩 Child development, therapy and family wellbeing

Frankston City Maternal and Child Health Service

Council’s service supports families with children from birth to six years. Carrum Downs centres operate at Banyan Fields Child and Family Centre, Botany Park Maternal and Child Health, and Rowellyn Maternal and Child Health Centre. For central bookings, call (03) 9784 1756 between 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Building Blocks Clinic

This Carrum Downs allied health and counselling clinic works with children, adolescents and families, including NDIS participants. Its listed options include diagnostic assessments, early intervention, play therapy, behavioural coaching, family therapy and counselling. Depending on the service, appointments may be delivered at the clinic, at home or school, or by telehealth. Bookings are required.

Sandbox Play Therapy

Located at Unit 1/121 Hall Road, this child-focused practice offers child-centred and digitally enhanced play therapy. Group therapy and kids yoga are also listed. The practice is accepting referrals, with appointments arranged through an enquiry or its booking pathway.

Bayside Health Peninsula Children’s Services

Families in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula can seek multidisciplinary support for children with mild to moderate developmental delays. Services are delivered from nearby regional locations in Frankston, Hastings and Rosebud and include audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and speech pathology. Parents and carers may self-refer through the ACCESS line on 1300 665 781. Fees are assessed according to income and eligibility.

Family Life Family Counselling

Couples and families with children can access counselling for concerns including blended-family life and separation. Sessions are available online or in person at nearby Frankston or Sandringham. Fees are based on capacity to pay, and government-funded counselling may be available to eligible families.

❤ Support through hardship and family violence

Family Life Financial Counselling

Free, confidential financial counselling is available to family members affected by separation or divorce who are experiencing financial hardship and live or work in the Frankston or Mornington Peninsula region. Counsellors can assist with budgets, debts and bills, and help people understand their financial options.

Family Life Strength2Strength

Strength2Strength provides trauma-informed support for mothers or female caregivers and children aged 5–17 who have experienced family violence. Eligibility includes families living in the City of Frankston and other Bayside Peninsula council areas. Meeting locations are arranged flexibly with the service.

📌 Before you attend

• Check the current session: school-term, holiday and age-based programs may change dates between seasons or terms.
• Confirm booking requirements: some activities welcome drop-ins, while therapy, care, limited-capacity classes and selected library events require advance arrangements.
• Ask about access: contact the provider if your child needs particular physical, sensory, communication or participation adjustments.
• Clarify supervision: check whether an adult must participate, remain at the venue or supervise throughout the activity.
• Confirm costs and eligibility: enquire before committing where fees, subsidies, income assessments, funding or regional eligibility may apply.

🎯 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Carrum Downs, you are warmly invited to add your listing or submit updated details so local families can find the right opportunities for 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 carrumdowns.vic.guide.