At 5 & 7, my kids have most definitely not outgrown playgrounds and they’re an essential part of our travels! After a few hours of not touching things in museums or listening to a performance, a place that’s 100% for kids is perfect for blowing off steam. I had so much fun researching and putting together this list of the best playgrounds in the world! Some of them I dug up on my own and some are from other family travel bloggers, sharing what their kids loved best about them. Whether it is a really unique park theme, beautiful artistry, or overall exciting elements, I think you’ll enjoy browsing this list!
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Leave a comment if you have a favorite playground that I should look into adding!
All photos shared are property of the bloggers I’ve linked to and used with permission; please click through to their original posts if you want to pin any of the individual images or pin my collage image with this link:
Best playgrounds in the world
Any time we’re at a playground, I have my trusty day backpack filled with first aid supplies, our favorite sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, and snacks!
I listed these in alphabetical order; if you know of a really special playground that I missed, please a comment and I’d love to add it!
Be sure to sign up for these other bloggers’ newsletters and follow them on social media if you like where they’ve explored, it’s a great way to keep up with their adventures.
Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach, California, United States
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I think this would probably be my kids’ perfect park; there is water, rafts, building tools, and trash to hammer! Perfect for bigger kids who have outgrown traditional nature playscapes, I love how much fun this looks like, check out more details in this blog post.
Al villagio del marmote in Passo Tonale, Italy
Written by Jarek from Mini Tribe Travels, follow them on pinterest here.
“Al villagio del Marmote must be one of the most spectacularly located playground in Europe. Located in Passo Tonale in Italian Alps, at 2200m above sea level, it provides the most spectacular views of surrounding mountain tops and the glacier across the valley. We knew the place as we visited it in winter for our family skiing holidays and loved it so much that we also went there in summer.
One of the most unique features is that the playground facilities use and integrate the nature surrounding the area. A slide is built into the mountain slope and water toys are using a natural stream flowing through the nearby fields.
What made the place really exciting for our children was the freedom to explore the Alpine nature. Fields of grass and flowers, streams and even watching the alpine cows grazing the grass on mountain pastures. Such a nice change from the very typical city centre playgrounds. And the best of all, in order to get there you either need to hike or take a chairlift. What child would say no to that?”
Artist at Play Park in Seattle, Washington, United States
One of the prettiest playgrounds I’ve ever been to! I have a whole separate blog post about this Seattle Center playground so you can see more pictures there, but they have an amazing, gigantic climbing structure, lots of musical and sensory elements, and a great view of the space needle as you play. It has a really neat track for bikes or scooters and lots of space between playground elements so there is room to run and play tag!
Asukayama Park in Tokyo, Japan
Written by Jo from The Tokyo Chapter, follow them on Instagram here.
“The playground is incredible (although the slides are steep so, while my 4 year old was fine, I chose to ride with my 2 year old for safety reasons. There is a “toddler” playground if you prefer to avoid the big slides)
There is an old tram and steam engine for kids to explore too. The park is particularly spectacular in Cherry Blossom season and I can imagine Autumn is also breath-taking.
There are plenty of restrooms and change tables and ramps around the park, which makes it really easy with strollers.
This park also has a splash pool during Summer so you might want to bring a towel and extra clothing etc. See more reasons to take your kid to Tokyo while you’re there!”
Barefoot Park in Dornstetten, Germany
Written by Tiffany from Mommy And Me Travels, follow them on facebook here.
“Barefoot parks are all over Germany. You are probably asking yourself, what is a Barefoot Park? Here you will let your feet do the exploring for you through touch. Take your shoes off to start exploring many different textures and sensations. Most barefoot parks have obstacles like broken glass, corks, cold streams, balance beams, and so much more. You will leave your shoes at the entrance and take off on paths around a park. Most places have short paths and longer paths for you to explore. Kids will love and enjoy both paths as their feet explore so many different textures. Check out all of the adventures that Mommy And Me Travels had at the Barefoot Park in Dornstetten.”
Bokrijk Playground in Limburg, Belgium
Written by Bhushavali from My Travelogue by Bhushavali, follow them on instagram here.
“Bokrijk is a Belgian domaine! Now, what’s a domaine? Domaine is a space in Belgium with a vast green area with multiple nature related things to do & see, mostly with a castle/chateau in the midst!
One of the most fascinating thing to do in Bokrijk is the ‘cycling through the water’ experience. It is a waterbody which has been split into 2 with a cycle-able pathway between them. There is water till the brim that’s almost 5ft tall on either sides with a ‘dry street’ between. Swans & ducks swim over to your face!!!
Bokrijk has the biggest playground (not amusement park, literally playground) I’ve ever seen in Belgium and with dedicated areas for different age-groups! There is even a dedicated area for differently-abled children. And all of this is free of charge!!!!
There is an open-air museum as well in the domaine, which looks like a Flemish village frozen in time, a century ago. But this part alone is ticketed. Its super easy to reach there by train from Brussels. It takes 1:45 hrs and drops you almost at the entrance of the domaine!”
Central Park in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States
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Who doesn’t want to go to a Kids Castle! You can see more pictures of the park in this blog post, it’s been newly updated with more accessible/inclusive options nearby. The castle looks full of nooks and crannies that my kids would go nuts over! It’s cool to see a playground so well supported by the community, what a great place to visit if you’re driving through or in the area.
Children’s Garden in Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
Written by Katalin of Our Life Our Travel, follow them on instagram here.
“One of our favorite places with kids in Singapore is the Children’s Garden in the Gardens By the Bay not so far from the SuperTrees and the Cloud Forest. The playground has 3 major parts: two of them are with different water elements for bigger and smaller kids and a shorter activity trail under the foliage. In the hot and humid climate, our favorite was the water park where we spent a couple of hours every time we visited it. Perfect place for kids letting their excess energy out while parents can rest for a while in the shade.”
Chutes and Ladders Playground – Houghton, Michigan, USA
Written by April from Minivan Adventures, follow them on facebook here.
“Kestner Waterfront Park in Houghton, Michigan has brought a popular children’s board game to life, and KIDS LOVE IT! This Chutes and Ladders Playground is one of many child-friendly attractions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Built into a hillside overlooking the Portage Canal, the Chutes and Ladders Playground is levels upon levels of fun. Just like the beloved board game, this massive wooden play structure features ladders (and other fun climbing elements) to move up the various levels and lots of slides to move down levels. Unlike the board game, kids are always thrilled to ride the biggest slide from the topmost level all the way back down to the ground level. There are no sore losers at this playground! It’s just too much fun!”
Clemyjontri Park in McLean, Virginia, United States
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How pretty is this playground! I love the commitment to rainbows, I think it would be hard to have a bad day on such a cheery playground. Designed to be inclusive and accessible, this playground looks like a lot of fun for everyone. Read more about the sensory options on their website here.
Commons Indoor Playground in Columbus, Indiana, United States
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The only free indoor playground on the list, this one is perfect for climbers! It has a huge, enclosed climbing structure that adults can play in too, along with other smaller tunnels and humps for little kids to play on. I’d imagine it get busy outside of school times, but what a great place to pop in and burn some steam! See pictures of it in this blog post.
Diana Princess Of Wales Memorial playground, London, England
Written by David from Travel with Little One, follow them on instagram here.
“The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground is one of the most popular in London. It’s located in leafy Kensington Gardens, and is a great playing environment for kids, with many different things to do. What’s more, it’s free.
It’s one of the best playgrounds we’ve come across anywhere in the world. The focal point is a giant sandpit with a huge pirate ship marooned in the middle. This doubles as a large wooden climbing frame, and the kids can climb to the top or go below deck.
There are plenty of other corners where curious kids can explore further, from teepees to slides to a sensory trail. It’s partly inspired by Peter Pan, of whom there’s a statue nearby in the gardens.
On weekends chances are you’ll find there’s a queue of people waiting to enter the playground, as there’s a limit on numbers. It’s a short walk from there to Kensington Palace, where Diana once lived.”
Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
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Container Park is popular with everyone, with lots to offer in the general area, but the playground looks like lots of fun! Large foam blocks to build, tall slides, cool sculptures and public art, and you can clearly spend a full day there. My kids would go nuts over the praying mantis sculpture shooting fire! See more details and pictures here.
Floyen Park in Bergen, Norway
Photo courtesy of Children of Wanderlust, find them on Instagram here.
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Set on the top of a mountain overlooking the fjord and the beautiful town of Bergen, is Floyen Park. A large recreational area with lakes, adventure trails, hiking routes, cafes, restaurants, picnic areas and children’s adventure playgrounds. The park itself is free, however, it’s accessible only via either a long uphill walk or a funicular railway.
The funicular only added to our enjoyment of this beautiful park, as we all know children love different types of transport. The adventure playgrounds were a great hit too. Although our children were only 1 & 3 so couldn’t access all the adventure areas, with some only suitable for older children, there was still plenty to entertain them. I remember Savannah (3) particularly loved a slide that was embedded into a hill side so she could easily climb up by herself no tricky ladders.
There was also a bar where we enjoyed a drink with an amazing view, while they had a nap. Perfect for all the family. Read more about this area here!
Friendly Bay playground in Oamaru, New Zealand
Photo courtesy of Albom Adventures, find them on instagram here.
Is this not the coolest swing you’ve ever seen! I had to include this funky steampunk themed park, that is apparently located in a steampunk-focused town. The other park elements in the background look fun too, not shown are a fishing boat, children’s train, steam crane, and flying fox. Read more about the park and area in this blog post about Oamaru.
Gathering place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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This park gets shared often on Facebook as a “free Disneyland” and it looks like so much fun! You can read a firsthand account of it on Love, Laughter, and Luggage; the playground is flanked by trails and greenery. There are loads of unique climbing elements, a pirate ship, lots of public art, a pretend town, and a nearby sensory garden just begging to be explored. This is for sure on our list to visit in the U.S.!
Jardin du Luxembourg playground in Paris, France
I can’t find a picture of the playground itself but this blog post convinced me that it would be well worth the trip if we are ever in Paris! The playground here is very natural, with lots of different climbing and pretend play options. The giant sandbox would be a hit with my kids, those permanent diggers are always popular. Beautiful slides and traditional playground equipment is mixed with playful, oversized dominoes and chalkboards to draw on, all surrounded by trees, I’m not sure if it could be any prettier!
Jubilee Gardens Park in London, England
We stumbled on this park by accident when hunting down Big Ben on our 10 day UK trip this past fall and it was such a delightful surprise! Completely surrounded by a low fence and with a beautiful view of the London Eye, there are loads of big climbing logs and nets along with a smaller playhouse and spinning discs. See more details about the playground here!
Lough Boora Discovery Park in Tullamore, Ireland
Written by Emer and Nils from Let’s Go Ireland, follow them on pinterest here.
“The Lough Boora Discovery Park in Ireland’s midlands is simply amazing! This is the hidden gem if you want to visit a truly unique natural playscape. There is just so much to discover in this former peatland and now reclaimed eco-tourism site. Small children will fall in love with the Fairy Avenue, which is home to 14 fairies. For older kids and adults, there is the Sculpture Park. Exploring the sculptures is incredibly fun (for example climb aboard an abandoned train). Or just roam wild on the many trails either by foot or by rented bike.”
Maggie Daley Park in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Tucked a walking bridge away from the huge Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, Maggie Daley Park is a ton of fun! All the different sections are separated by trees and fences, keeping noise levels manageable and kids corralled. There are water elements and creative climbing elements for all ages all surrounded by whimsical and colorful designs. It’s within walking distance of the museum campus (see the best museums for kids in Chicago!) and a “must see” for kids under 10. Find more details to plan your trip here.
Margaret Mahy Playground, Christchurch, New Zealand
Written by Jen from Backyard Travel Family: Active Family Travel Specialists, follow them on Instagram here.
“The Margaret Mahy Playground is the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in Christchurch, New Zealand, it is a new destination playground that brings children back into the city after the devastating Christchurch Earthquake of 2011. Highlights of the playground include: a dark slide, mini trampolines, a huge sandpit, a splash pad for water play and creating dams and rivers. Children love “rock climbing” up to the top of the giant wide slide, perfect for multiple children where there is never a line. This is a playground that has it all.”
Martin’s Park in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Adding this one thanks to Cindy from the Tiny Globetrotters facebook group; this playground honors the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombings, Martin Richard. It has several unique climbing elements, water play, swings, a play boat, carved up by paved paths to run around on!
Mulle Meck Park in Stockholm, Sweden
Written by Maggie from Milana’s Travels, follow them on instagram here.
“Mulle Meck Park is located in the Solna district of Stockholm (see more Stockholm with kids suggestions here) and one of the best playgrounds we have visited on our travels. Mulle Meck is based on a children’s book character and it doesn’t disappoint! The park is huge and fully fenced in, making it easy to contain your kids. There are small houses to explore, lots of different vehicles, slides and just a ton of areas to run, climb, and play.
There is a rocket ship slide, water play, a mud kitchen that your kids will love. My 7 year old said it best, it’s like exploring a fairy tale village from a book! This park is great for kids of all ages, making it a great outing for families with multiple kids. If you bring your kids to Stockholm, make sure to visit Melle Meck Park at least once during your trip! ”
Nishi Rokugo Park in Tokyo, Japan
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This park is begging to be photographed! On top of that, it just looks super fun. Made of tires, with tires to climb, swing on, and play with, this playground is begging to be touched. The towering tire monsters in the background take it over the top! Read more about it here.
Nørrebroparken in Copenhagen, Denmark
Written by Annabel from Smudged Postcard, follow them on Instagram here.
“During our trip to Copenhagen with kids at Eastertime, we really enjoyed spending time at Nørrebroparken in the Nørrebro district.
The play area features a big blue plane “crash” (the playground is also known as the Bermuda Triangle) set amid sand. There’s also a good slide and plenty of space for playing football: one of our boys found a willing playmate and a ball which kept him occupied for quite some time. There are also lots of little trikes for kids to ride on along wooden pathways.
Nørrebroparken is in a multicultural part of Copenhagen with lots of interesting shops and restaurants to try. It’s easily reached from central Copenhagen by bike or public transport.”
Parque Gulliver Playground in Valencia, Spain
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This park design is so wild! Click through to Atlas Obscura to see a better aerial view, but it’s a giant sculpture out of Gulliver’s Travels that also just looks fun to climb around on. Bonus points to read the book before or after you visit!
Rio Tinto Naturescape, Perth, Australia
Ariana from World of travels with Kids, follow them on instagram here.
“On arrival at Rio Tinto Naturescape, Perth there is a big sign that says, “Play at your own risk.” We loved everything about this truly natural adventure playground. For us, it is the best of the Playgrounds in Kings Park, a giant bush park in the middle of Perth City. Despite some amazing climbing towers, and very challenging geometric mazes which definitely take your breath away, the thing that captures you most is that you feel like you are deep in the Australian bush. Gum trees, scrubby trees, and a stream run through the nature play area. Kids are encouraged to get wet and you absolutely must take a change of clothes because at the end of a couple of hours in the bush, the kids are filthy but grinning. My children remembered most the freedom involved in this playground. ”
Superkilen Park in Copenhagen, Denmark
Written by Anjali from Travel Melodies, follow them on pinterest here.
“Located at Mimersgade street in the multicultural neighborhood of Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Superkilen is a unique urban open space that houses around 108 interesting global objects that reflect the 60 nationalities living in Nørrebro. What’s its unique selling point? Well, this public park beautifully celebrates the diversity of the neighborhood it’s set in.
About 0.60 miles long, Superkilen is divided into three different sub parks –
- The Red Square with bohemian cafes is the hub of Superkilen. The square hosts musical performances and sports events. Its weekend flea markets are a hit.
- The Black Market is a classic square with a fountain, benches, and swings. The most striking feature of the Black Market is its modern art street.
- Green Park is a lush green space with diverse sports fields, always busy with kids. Locals come here for sunbathing, an evening walk, or a relaxing family picnic.
The park is often listed as the strangest park in the world. Strangest or not, it’s sure to become one of your and your kids’ favorite playgrounds all around the world. Our kids loved it so much so that we visited the park every day while we were in Copenhagen. The vibrant Red Square (literally feels like the riot of colors), Octopus slides from Tokyo, Neon signs from Moscow, a sculpture from Japan, and the climbing ropes at Green Park caught our kids’ attention.
Superkilen is hands down one of the best things to do in Copenhagen with kids. Having said that, make sure you add this unique attraction to your Copenhagen itinerary.”
Takino Suzuran National Park in Hokkaido, Japan
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I’m dying to go to Japan with all these amazing parks, the elements in this one look so kooky and fun! My kids would love pushing the giant red balls up the hills and the white rubbery hills to jump on are a blast too. See more pictures in this blog post here.
The Great Park, Irvine, California, USA
Written by April Aleman from SoCalFunFamily, follow them on instagram here.
“Orange County California is known for it’s amazing beaches, perfect weather and sunny California fun in the sun. The area is also pristinely taken care and has every amenity a person could ever want; including amazing parks and facilities. One of the best is the Great Park Orange County. Located on what once was the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, The Orange County Great Park pays homage to it’s historical background, but also provides all the fun a “great park” should! This includes 2 park areas, one with a playground, small zipline, and climbing equipment. And the other is a larger more open area perfect for taking walks, riding bikes and simply playing freely. The park is also home to Orange County’s only professional soccer team, plus 12 baseball fields, 13 soccer fields, 5 sand volleyball courts, 25 tennis courts, and 8 basketball courts and a 280,000 sq. ft. ice facility featuring 3 NHL sized ice skating rinks. But the thing that makes this park so wonderful and unique is that it is an old hanger with historical airplanes, has a small carousel (with a small fee) and a FREE tethered hot air balloon anyone can ride! Perfect for a family outing! I’ve never known anything like this place before! It is definitely a must see place when you are in the area!”
Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States
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We just finished the Wizard of Oz as a read aloud so I was tickled to read that there is a whole public playground designed as an emerald city homage! With a yellow brick road, green castle, and lots of other cute themeing, this park looks like a ton of fun. Find more pictures in this blog post here.
Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, San Antonio, TX
Photo courtesy of Family Tips for Trips, follow them on Instagram here.
This park caught my eye while I researched; my kids would go nuts over the huge sand box! It has a unique climbing area as shown in the picture above, along with giant checkers & chess, a large splash pad area, foosball, bocceball, and more. The colors and climb-able art add so much to the vibe it gives off, it feels very friendly and like people would spend all afternoon hanging out there! See more details about this park in San Antonio in their blog post here.
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