Mid-Wales base for a holiday with toddlers?

[Jollinee]

We are hoping to spend some time in the area but looks like there are a lot of good choices! We have two toddlers so whilst hoping to do some hikes and exploring, these would need to be on the easier side for now. Also beaches or child friendly activities would be great plus a nice town for wandering around/ eating in (although we will mostly self cater). So far the places that have jumped out are Dolgellau, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth which all sound great but it can be hard to know which is best. Any suggestions on these (or other places) please?

We are hoping to do a few days in the north as well so will look for a base up there so proximity to anything much further north isn't such a factor.

Aberystwyth is the one to go for if you want beaches etc. Dolgellau and Machynlleth are both on rivers rather than beaches. Way more options for eating etc too in Aberystwyth as it's a university town.

Aberystwyth is a seaside town so much bigger than both Machynlleth and Dolgellau. Has more in the way of 'conventional' shops and restaurants such as Boots and KFC/McDonalds and Wetherspoons. But it does have some nice places to eat but is much busier than the other two with bus stations and train stations and is the University town also.

Dolgellau and Machynlleth are smaller towns with gift shops and coffee shops and a few pubs and restaurants and take aways etc. But not on the coast so a drive to the seaside. Machynlleth is a fairly good location for exploring the area and only 30 mins drive from Aberystwyth and a 20 minute drive in the other direction to the beautiful seaside town with a huge sandy beach at Aberdovey (Aberdyfi) 5 minutes further on from Aberdovey you have Tywyn where there is a leisure centre, play park, another great beach and the Tallyllyn Railway, where you can take steam train rides and you can jump on and off the stops and there are way marked walks to follow which are lovely.

Dolgellau is a really pretty town with some cobbled streets and sits at the foot of Cadair Idris (Cader Idris) It has some nice shops and cafes, some pubs and restaurants and a really nice play park suitable for all ages. Also not far from Tallyllyn Railway. The seaside towns of Fairbourne and Barmouth, great for families are 15 minutes and 20 minutes drive from Dolgellau. Fairbourne also has a lovely little minature railway great for kiddies to have a ride on. Dolgellau also has the Mawddach Trail which is a lovely flat walk popular for families riding bikes and has really pretty views along the Mawddach Estuary. The walk starts from the car park in the centre of town.

Also close by to Dolgellau is Coed-Y-Brenin which is nice for families and has a park and some waymarked walks for all abilities including an animal puzzle trail for little ones to spot the animals along the walk.

Machynlleth on Market day is lovely, like stepping back in time in a good way.
We stayed in Borth, you will love it or hate it.
Its a great area
Aber Porth
New Quay
Aberaeron
All fantastic but each is different