It’s your first destination on a beautiful Saturday morning, your go-to for an after-school playdate, and one of the most reliable resources when you’re fresh out of parenting inspiration—the playground. The exciting world of playground design is something you can’t replicate in the isolation of your own backyard or even in the school parking lot. It takes community effort, an artistic eye and the approving squeals of joy from hundreds of kiddos every single day to know you’ve got the magic formula just right. Just take a look across the country (and maybe in your own community!) and you’ll see some of these fantastic playscapes complete with one-of-a-kind climbing structures, slides and water features. From a Wizard of Oz-themed spot in Maryland to a new adventure playground in Oklahoma, here are the 15 coolest playgrounds for kids in the United States. Start planning your visits now!
1. Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro, MD
Where: 301 Watkins Park Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD
The famous Watkins Regional Park is home to a Wizard of Oz-themed playground. How do you find it? Follow the Yellow Brick Road, of course! Then, pass under the rainbow to experience all Oz has to offer. The slides are a pair of giant ruby red slippers, while the climbing structures take the form of an emerald-green palace, the State Fair and even an old-fashioned barn. Munchkin Land is there too in the form of a smaller climbing area perfect for toddlers. Kids can also enjoy playing in Auntie’s Em’s house and running around the rainbow track on the perimeter of the playground.
3 Things to Do This Summer to Get Your Child Ready for School
Summer may have just started, but because parents are always one step ahead, many of us are already thinking about the fall, when our kids will head back to the classrooms.
Whether you are getting ready to send your little one into the classroom for the first time (sniff) or looking for ways to keep your child’s education on track during the summer months, here are three things to focus on this summer.
2. Maggie Daley Park, Chicago, IL
Where: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL
Six playgrounds on three acres make up the Second 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. Be sure to keep an eye on your little runners, though—this playground’s a biggie and has plenty of entrances and exits.
3. Magical Bridge Playground, Palo Alto, CA
Where: 600 E Meadow Road, Palo Alto, CA
This gated, padded turf playground in Mitchell Park is nothing short of magical. With wheelchair-accessible tree houses, signs in braille, bucket swings and wide slides, it has become the place to play in Palo Alto and surrounding neighborhoods. Kids can put on a show on the community playhouse stage, have fun with an interactive musical harp, spin on cocoons, or slide down the massive slides. A separate toddler area has musical flower bells, mini slides and a play structure that’s just their size.
4. Jungle Gym at the Nashville Zoo, Nashville, TN
Where: 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN
Not only is it cool for a zoo, it’s widely believed to be the best playground for kiddos in the whole city of Nashville. After visiting the animals, see if you can play just like them on the 66,000-square-foot jungle gym! Swing, slide, climb the 35-foot-tall tree house and crawl through the epic snake tunnel. The playground happens to be located right next to the Wild Animal Carousel if you want to go for a spin while you’re there.
5. Downtown Container Park, Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas is a giant grown-up playground, so its only fair we find something for the kids to do. In the middle of this open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination in DTLV, there’s a multi-story treehouse just for the littles. Ride down a 33-foot-tall twisting tube slide, experiment with the NEOS electronic play equipment, build with big Lego blocks and Imagination Playground pieces, plus enjoy the regularly scheduled live music and entertainment at the nearby stage and its grassy lawn. Don’t leave without snapping photos with the giant Praying Mantis out front!
6. Clemyjontri Park, McLean, VA
Where: 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA
Rainbow-loving kids won’t find a happier place than this Virginia playground, which is fully decked out in ROY G BIV. The park has four distinct areas: The Rainbow Room, The Schoolhouse & Maze, Movin’ & Groovin’ Transportation and the Fitness & Fun area. There are accessible swings, a jungle gym, mini maze and lots of opportunities for kids to push their physical limits balancing, running and climbing. We especially love the cars, planes and trains for imaginative play Pack a picnic, because when the kids don’t want to leave you can fuel them up in the shaded picnic pavilion.
7. Kamakana Playground, Kona, HI
Where: 78-7300 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI
Sure, you aren’t likely to spend your time in Hawaii at the playground when you’ve got sand that white and water that blue at your fingertips. But when it comes time to mix things up, Kamakana Playground should be your first stop. You’ll find the large playground inside Higashihara Park on the Big Island, and it’s got all sorts of uniquely Hawaiian touches. Snap your child’s photo as they stand on top of the large whale sculpture next to the swings, then watch them use their imaginations on the Hawaiian canoe. You can even enjoy your snack at one of the island-shaped picnic tables. There’s a zip line, fairytale-worthy wooden castle structure and a toddler area complete with a miniature train, too.
8. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, San Antonio, TX
Where: 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX
As San Antonio’s city center, it’s no wonder Hemisfair (the site of the World’s Fair in 1968) pulled out all the stops for this unique and artsy playground. The cargo net climbers are visitor favorites—one more horizontal with dips and under/over climbing opportunities, and one that reaches vertically for real thrill seekers. You’ll also find group swings, a splash pad, colorful Adirondack chairs for grow-ups to watch from, ping pong tables, oversize chess and checkers, and tons of gorgeous public art that kids can interact with (i.e. tent-like structures to climb under, a beautiful laser cut playhouse). Added bonuses: toddlers have their own playground, restrooms are located on site, and you can get nice views of the Tower of the Americas from here.
9. Chapman Adventure Playground at Gathering Place, Tulsa, OK
When Gathering Place opened in Tulsa in September 2018, it took the Internet by storm—and for a good reason! Designed by the same team as Maggie Daley Park in Chicago and Chelsea Waterside Playground in New York City, kids can explore seven different realms within the five-acre adventure playground. And it’s kind of unbelievable. In Land of the River Giants, children can ride the slides of the Blue Herons and climb around the Paddlefish—both animals native to Oklahoma. There are tiny fairytale houses perfect for preschoolers, gigantic towers and bridges to brave, a ship to play aboard, and water features for hot summer days.
10. Lions Park Playscape, Greensboro, AL
Leave it to college students to come up with a playscape this cool. Built by Auburn University’s Rural Studio (an off-campus architecture program), the Lions Park playground is, at its core, a maze of 55-gallon galvanized drums. Within that, children can run, hide, jump, climb a bright red jungle gym, swing, and find hidden sensory experiences, like undulating floors, sound tubes and sensory rooms. This one makes kids imagine their play environments in a totally new light. Rural Studio has also outfitted the park with a gorgeous shade structure, concession stand, new bathrooms, fitness equipment and a skate park.
11. Adventure Playground, Berkeley, CA
Where: 160 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA
Part playground, part kid-built construction site, Adventure Playground is constantly evolving thanks to the creativity of all those who visit. Little ones are given free reign to be as wild and creative as they like while adding their mark to the playground with real tools (yes, including saws and hammers). But, they must earn the right to DIY the space first, by turning in things like nails and wood scraps in exchange for tools. There’s also an irresistible zip line, amazing climbing structures built from reclaimed materials, slides, swings, climbing nets, an abandoned speed boat, and (our favorite!) tubes for rolling down hills in.
12. Kenosha Dream Playground at Petzke Park, Kenosha, WI
Where: 2820 14th Ave, Kenosha, WI
A park with a mission! Like many beloved spots on our list, this highly accessible, 15,000-square-foot playground was built by 3,000 community volunteers in 2015. You’ll find two massive play areas, one for ages five and under and one for older, more adventurous kids. Within that, you’ll recognize several Kenosha landmarks: two lighthouses, a ship, streetcar, local storefronts and a replica 1960s Rambler for kids to explore. Children of differing abilities will find braille signage, ramps, a wheelchair swing and an accessible merry-go-round to help make the park welcoming for them, too.
13. Artists at Play Seattle Center Playground, Seattle, WA
Where: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA
Why yes, that is one of the U.S.’s most iconic landmarks in the background of this also-iconic playground. While this isn’t the most expansive spot on our list (it is smack in the middle of a major city after all), it is a genius use of space that truly allows you to experience the best of Seattle for free. Massive climbing nets, epic slides, swings beneath the shadow of the Space Needle, an ADA accessible carousel, and tons of interactive sensory experiences await.
14. Domino Park Playground, Brooklyn, NY
Where: 15 River St, Brooklyn, NY
You’ll find this brightly-colored park at the water’s edge of South Williamsburg, one of Brooklyn’s most bustling neighborhoods. The brand-new park was built on the former site of the Domino Sugar Factory, and its unique playground, designed by public artist Mark Reigelman, mimics parts of the sugar refining process from the Sugar Cane Cabin to the Sugarcube Centrifuge that spits little ones out down a couple of slides. There are tons of exciting climbing nets hidden within the Sweetwater Silo, plus swings, stroller parking and incredible NYC skyline views for parents and caregivers to enjoy. When kids get bored, just shuffle them to the other end of the park, where a playful splash pad awaits.
15. Project Playground at Twin Lakes, Juneau, AK
Originally built by the community in 2007, this epic playground was destroyed by a fire in 2017. As of September 29, 2018, Project Playground will reopen to the public, thanks again to tons of community volunteers who built, donated and created bits and pieces of the amazing playground by hand. There are castle-like imaginative play structures of all sizes, for all ages and abilities, several types of swings, a miniature train, salmon fishing boat, climbing walls, a turf field for games, and imaginative playhouses. Most special of all are the dozens and dozens of pieces of artwork peppered all over the playground from miniature hand-painted gnomes to massive murals, all done by local artists!
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