Wollongong Detective Sergeant Jason Hogan said three men smashed through the glass panes of the front door of a Kirton Rd home about midnight on Monday while a 34-year-old woman, a 42-year-old man and their four-year-old daughter and one-year-old son were asleep.

The couple woke to find three men wearing balaclavas, armed with an axe, sledge hammer and a hammer, in their bedroom, Sgt Hogan said.

The couple were forced into the lounge room where the woman was slapped across the face.

Police allege the men demanded money and stole the keys to the couple's car, cash, a mobile phone, two laptop computers, the man's wallet and some jewellery.

The thieves left in the couple's Subaru Outback, Sgt Hogan said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact Wollongong Detectives via Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.