Use space to open navigation items
City of Wollongong

Children and Families

In celebration of Child Protection Week, we're holding a free Family Fun Day event at Dapto on Thursday 7 September 2023. All families are welcome!

For more information, visit the event page.


We work to make Wollongong a great place for children and their families to live, play and visit.

Our current programs for children and families are shown below.

We encourage children to take part in Council decisions that affect them now and in the future. This is to:

  • Help us better meet their needs and interests
  • Involve them in their community
  • Encourage them to share their ideas and opinions
  • Teach them new skills.

Many of our projects that involve children are coordinated with the help of local schools and early childhood centres.

Projects that we regularly consult children on include designing new playgrounds, art projects and our long term vision for the city, Wollongong 2028.

Case studies and resources

Below are some examples of projects where children have helped us make important decisions. We’ve also include some resources for other organisations who are thinking of working with children.

Paint the Gong REaD encourages children aged 5 and under to build a love of books and stories. This early literacy program involves reading, talking, singing and rhyming with children from the time they’re born.

Developing literacy skills early in life helps children through all the later stages of their life.

Our Paint the Gong REaD mascot, Bright Spark, visits libraries, schools and community events to help get more children involved in this fun program.

For more information, follow Paint the Gong REaD on Facebook, or call us on (02) 4227 7111.

Starting ‘big school’ is a major event in a child’s life. We host a free picnic on the first Sunday in November for children about to start school, to make the process a bit easier.

Keep an eye on our Events Calendar for more information.

Wollongong City Council is committed to becoming a Child Safe Organisation, by embedding the NSW Child Safe Standards across our organisation's culture and practices.

Visit our Child Safe Organisation page to learn more.

Events for children and families

Upcoming events for children and families are shown below, or see our events calendar to find more activities.