Hobart

Hobart Family

From borrowing toys and joining story sessions to outdoor adventures, gymnastics and holiday care, families around Hobart have practical ways to play, learn and spend time together. When parenting becomes more complex, local and statewide services also offer disability inclusion, relationship support, family assistance and supported accommodation.

✨ Play, stories and shared activities

Hobart Toy Library

Borrow toys, games and puzzles without needing to buy and store everything at home. Based at South Hobart Community Centre, this volunteer-run library welcomes households from across Hobart, with a collection mainly intended for children aged from birth to eight. Membership is open to everyone, and loans last for up to three weeks. Borrowing sessions currently run on Mondays from 9 am to 11 am and Fridays from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Parents and carers supervise children during visits and are responsible for choosing and using items safely for their child’s age.

Hobart Library

Young children can enjoy songs and movement at Rock and Rhyme for ages zero to three during school terms. Storytime for ages three to five runs on selected Sundays, while after-school and school-holiday activities give older children more reasons to visit. Siblings and caregivers are welcome at the early-years sessions. The library is wheelchair accessible, and bookings for school-aged activities can be made through Eventbrite or by calling the branch.

C3 Playgroup, South Hobart

Parents and carers can spend a morning playing and connecting alongside their young children at this organisation-led community playgroup. It meets at the C3 Convention Centre, 64 Anglesea Street, South Hobart. The current Playgroup Tasmania listing gives its session time as Tuesday from 9.30 am to 11 am.

🌿 Active days and school-holiday experiences

Legacy Park

For an easy family outing in Hobart, Legacy Park has a nature-based adventure playscape designed for children of different ages and abilities. Picnic tables, shelters, public toilets, barbecue areas and pizza ovens support longer visits and family gatherings. Three barbecue sites are available for general use. Two covered pavilions can be reserved for a fee, with bookings accepted up to 12 months in advance.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery – Lift Off! Children and Young People’s Festival

Lift Off! gives children and young people hands-on ways to explore the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during the autumn school holidays. Held over several days at TMAG’s Nipaluna/Hobart waterfront precinct, the festival features activities, performances and workshops. TMAG describes most activities as free and family-focused. Separate school-holiday programs are also promoted through the year, with content changing from season to season.

Nature. Be in it. – School Holiday Program

Children aged four to 12 can take part in full-day outdoor sessions at The Lea, between Hobart and Kingston. The child-led program runs from 9 am to 3 pm and uses a drop-off format rather than requiring parents to stay. Qualified educators supervise at a stated ratio of one educator to 10 children. Advance booking is required, and families need to provide food, water and clothing suitable for changing outdoor conditions.

Hobart PCYC – Gymnastics Program

Children can begin with Rocket Tots from six months to four years, then move through preschool, recreational or competitive gymnastics pathways. Mini Martians is designed for ages three to five, with an adult caregiver participating as directed by the instructor. Recreational GymFun classes start with ages five to six and progress according to age and ability. Families should contact Hobart PCYC for the current timetable and enrolment arrangements.

CatholicCare Tasmania – St Mary’s College Outside School Hours Care

School-aged children attending the Harrington Street site in Hobart can access before-school, after-school and vacation care. CatholicCare Tasmania publishes vacation-care activities in its current program. Contact the provider before relying on a place, as eligibility, bookings and availability need to be confirmed directly.

💡 Disability, development and peer support

Early Childhood Inclusion Service

ECIS is a free Tasmanian Government service supporting the learning and inclusion of eligible children from birth to age four in early-childhood education settings. It is available to children with diagnosed disability and/or developmental delay who meet the eligibility requirements. Parents and carers may refer their child directly, or a supporting professional can refer with consent. The service has a Hobart centre, but support does not continue beyond the start of the child’s Kindergarten year.

ACD Tas – Peer Network Hub

Parents and carers of children with disability or additional needs can access free peer assistance, including facilitated groups, MyTime groups, information, training and one-to-one self-advocacy support. Help is available statewide and online, with Hobart appointments arranged in advance and video conferencing also offered. The hub additionally runs YEP groups for young people aged 16 to 25 who live with disability.

❤ Parenting, separation and family support

Hobart City Mission – Integrated Family Support Services

Eligible Southern Tasmanian families with children aged zero to 18, as well as families expecting a baby, can receive support in their own home. Assistance is tailored to each family and can include case management, outreach, coordination and help connecting with other services. Access is through Strong Families, Safe Kids on 1800 000 123.

Relationships Australia Tasmania – Parenting Separately Program

Parents, grandparents and carers adjusting to parenting after separation can use this free Hobart program without needing a referral. One-to-one sessions and group workshops cover communication, managing disagreement and keeping children’s wellbeing central. Families can enquire or book directly with Relationships Australia Tasmania.

Anglicare Tasmania – Family Law Counselling Service

Couples, families, extended family members and carers dealing with relationship change, separation or divorce can seek counselling and therapeutic support that prioritises children’s needs. Delivery is available through offices in Hobart, Glenorchy and Sorell, with outreach to community venues across Southern Tasmania. Families may enquire directly, and referrals are also accepted from other services.

🏠 Supported accommodation for parents

Hobart City Mission – Small Steps

Small Steps is a live-in parenting and life-skills program for mothers under 25 and their babies who are at risk of homelessness. Onsite care supports participants to work towards independent living, including developing budgeting, tenancy and parenting skills. Hobart City Mission handles enquiries and applications for the program.

Hobart City Mission – DIY Dads

Fathers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and have full-time or part-time care of their children may be able to access supported accommodation through DIY Dads. The program provides self-contained units and practical assistance with budgeting, tenancy maintenance and other independent-living skills. Stays can last for up to two years; current access arrangements should be discussed with Hobart City Mission.

📌 Check before you go

• Confirm the age range and eligibility: some activities use strict age bands, while support services may assess developmental, family or housing circumstances.
• Ask about bookings and availability: holiday programs, care places, classes, workshops and reserved park facilities may fill or change.
• Check supervision arrangements: some sessions require an adult to stay and participate, while the outdoor holiday program uses a supervised drop-off model.
• Discuss accessibility early: contact the provider about your child’s mobility, communication, sensory or participation needs before attending.
• Confirm current costs and schedules: fees, term dates, session times and seasonal programs can change.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Hobart and surrounding areas, you are warmly invited to add your listing or update its details so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ 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 hobart.guide.