Whether you’re a suburbanite or a city dweller, an incredible playground to climb on, slide down and explore is just minutes away. The city has hundreds of playgrounds that are highly accessible to all ages and incomes, not to mention offer fun things like a bowling alley, skating rink, sports venues, splash pads, four different climbing walls and much more. While we could wax poetic about Chicagoland’s parks and playgrounds forever, let’s just share our 15 favorites with you here.
1. Play Garden at Maggie Daley Park, Chicago
Where: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL
Six playgrounds on three acres make up the city’s magical play garden. Each spot has its own theme, and is aimed at different age groups. For little ones, check out the boat-themed Harbor playground or splash around in the Watering Hole. Five- to 12-year-olds will have a blast testing their bravery on Slide Crater and exploring the 8,500-square-foot play loop, The Sea. The sloping Wave Lawn and the Enchanted Forest (complete with a fun mirror maze) are ready and waiting for kids of all ages. While a ton of fun, it can be a bit overwhelming to watch a bunch of kids (especially younger ones) due to the multiple entrances and exits.
2. Sensory Garden Playground, Lisle
Where: 2751 Navistar Dr, Lisle, IL
Located in Lisle, this charming playground is a true gem for young thrill seekers. The horse-themed green and white playground has a barn, horses for bouncing and riding, slides, swings, a seesaw and climbing mound. For tune-making tots, the musical garden, with numerous instruments, will be a huge hit. Pack a lunch and eat under the umbrella-covered picnic tables right next to some horse statues. The park is currently raising funds for the next stages of its planned playgrounds including an awesome, accessible treehouse.
3. Deicke Park, Huntley
Where: 11419 South Route 47, Huntley, IL
An absolute “must visit” for toddlers and preschoolers is the Discovery Zone at Deicke Park in Huntley. Located on the farthest reaches of the metro area, it’s well worth the drive. Although you probably won’t be able to do it all in one trip, check out the school-themed structure with a school bus, an area with a train and fire truck to play on, a music area, as well as the small basketball hoops for a game of horse (bring your own ball). There’s also ton of sand for digging, a more traditional playground outside the Discovery Zone area and a super long slide down a park hill.
4. Northside Park, Wheaton
Where: 1300 N West St, Wheaton, IL
Where: A gem in Wheaton, Northside’s “Rotary Creative Playground” has enough to keep your brood entertained all day. Giant green and tan play structures offer plenty to climb on, across and over for any age, with nets, slides and rock climbing walls. Beyond the structures, slides await climbers who make it to the top of a tall rubberized mountain. Older kiddos will get in line repeatedly to ride the zip line—a major highlight! Plenty of shade means you won’t be reapplying sunscreen every five minutes. If you somehow grow tired of the playground, use the park’s trails and bridges for a walk around the lake.,
5. Senn Playlot Park, Chicago
Where: 5887 N Ridge Ave, Chicago, IL
Where: Following a huge renovation a couple of years ago, Senn Park is a neighborhood treasure. Sections of the park are separated for younger and older kids. The smaller area has a climbing structure, quad seesaw, a clubhouse (complete with KIDS ONLY sign) and swings. On the bigger kid side, the massively tall structure has plenty to climb, slide down and scale. Older kids have their own set of swings as well as a seated merry-go-round and rope climbing zone. Off to the side, everyone can cool off in a water sprayer.,
6. Veterans Memorial Park, Westmont
Where: 55 E Richmond St, Westmont, IL
Where: Calling all Vikings! The blue and yellow structure modeled after a Nordic ship is a favorite during a visit to this western suburban playground. There are also smaller structures with slides and plenty of places for playing make believe. Tons of sand means that you can pretend you’re at the beach while the littles build a castle. For older kids, there is another less kitschy playground with taller slides, a zip line and a jungle gym of logs to climb on.,
7. Indian Boundary Park, Chicago
Where: 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL
Its giant wooden play structure makes Indian Boundary stand out among the typical metal-and-plastic playgrounds we all know. While kids love climbing and running the wooden corridors, it can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re a parent to toddlers on the busy days. Swings are nearby and a wooden train is popular for climbing and imaginative play. On steamy days, sprayers are located not far from the playground. If your young ones are looking to explore a bit more, visit the park’s nature center where they can play in painted cottages once used as swan huts. The restroom is just a short walk away past the charming duck pond.
8. Berger Park, Chicago
Where: 6205 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL
Where: The setting of this park is just as impressive as the park itself. Nestled right along the lakefront in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, you’ll find two play areas, including one shaped like a pirate ship that will have your littlest ones swashbuckling for hours. A larger structure has slides, tunnels, monkey bars and everything in between. With so much offered on both, it’s an ideal playground to visit with multiple ages. And did we mention the view? If you can, opt for walking or public transportation, as parking is sometimes tricky.,
9. Jackman Park, Glenview
Where: 1930 Prairie Street, Glenview, IL
Where: The biggest imaginations will run wild at this city-themed playground aimed at ages two to five. Stop in the post office, cinema, train depot or grocery store all while sliding, climbing and swinging. Located right next to the Metra line, train enthusiasts will probably also get a glimpse one of the real thing passing by. Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy on the nearby covered tables.,
10. Adventure Playground at Blackberry Farm, Aurora
Where: 100 Barnes Road, Aurora, IL
Where: Located at this outdoor living history museum, this multi-level fun factory is a major highlight of any trip to Blackberry Farm. Among the array of rope tunnels, bridges, walkways, and tube slides are adorable playhouses, like a shingled clubhouse and a red barn, where your kids can really let their imaginations play. While its size and labyrinth-like qualities can seem a bit overwhelming to parents, it is big enough for grown-ups to follow along. Admission to Blackberry Farm is $6 for Aurora residents, $9 for non-resident $9, and children under 2 are free.,
11. Andersonville Playlot, Chicago
Where: 5233 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL
Where: Renovated in 2015, this bold red and blue playground in the north side neighborhood has something for all ages. The big play structure has challenges for both tots and adventurous kids, with slides in varying sizes, bridges and plenty to climb on and over. Kids can practice their balance on stepping platforms, work their way across the many sets of climbing bars and ladders, and fly high on the swings. An assortment of small cars and riding toys are ready for “driving” about the playground. Plenty of shade makes it perfect even on sunny days.,
12. Randolph Tot Lot, Oak Park
Where: 300 S Grove Ave, Oak Park, IL
Where: Your little adventurers will have the best time pretending to be a conductor on the blue, yellow and red Randolph Zephyr. Kids can use the steering wheel, climb through tunnels and slide. Swings and a triple spring rider await when they are done on the rails. While a bit underwhelming for older kids, this small park is perfect for keeping your eye on little ones and has plenty for them to discover.,
13. Maryknoll Park Adventure Playground, Glen Ellyn
Where: 845 Pershing Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL
Where: Located right next to the park’s splash pad, this is a favorite for playing before or after getting soaked. Here kids can ascend boulders, ride a 75’ zip line and play Spiderman while climbing some advanced ropes. Kids can run around and try the saucer swing, play in the sand and discover plenty to do on the tree house play structure. If you’re feeling hungry, the Maryknoll Café, located right in the picnic pavilion, is oh-so-convenient.,
14. Bison’s Bluff, Schaumburg
Where: 1111 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL
Bison’s Bluff, in the Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg, is one of the area’s best nature playgrounds. The focal point of the space is a bluff designed to resemble a natural rock outcrop, and it has a large bison and slides leading to the base of the bluff. Other features include a waterfall and shallow stream, a beaver lodge to explore and a multi-tiered tree house and an art area where kids can craft using natural material. There’s also a music area where little ones can experiment with wooden and metal percussion instruments.
15. Festival Park Playground, Elgin
Where: 132 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL
If you’ve got a superhero or Spiderman-obsessed kiddo, try this Elgin park. Along with an awesome splash pad, musical equipment and other playground structures for climbing and sliding, there is a giant rope web suspended a few feet above the ground. Kids can skillfully climb through the obstacle and then jump onto the trampoline embedded in the middle of the web.
