Destination Playgrounds in Greater Seattle and Puget Sound

Designed with serious play in mind, this playground has a welcome edge with a two storey slide and a taller than adult climbing web. The designers went all out with quirky Kompan play equipment. There are numerous interesting spinning equipment that even adults might be tempted to try. Lots of options even for tots which have a designated play area with brightly colored firetruck, house and ship play structures. There is also a wading pool but unfortunately, its closed for the summer of 2009.

This imaginative 15,000 square foot Northwest themed play structure was designed by children and built by an army of volunteers in 2003. It has lots of connecting spaces with ramps and suspension bridges. A climbing wall and balance beam add a welcomed challenges. The playscape contains touchable artwork by various Northwest artists and musical instruments like marimbas and drums. The play structure was also designed specifically for the differently abled child in mind. Tots get their own play structure including a sea-plane and a faux ferry sandbox. The playground is located on the lovely grounds of a former Catholic seminary and offers some lovely quiet corners and walkable trails for your mobile youngsters. Also enjoy the seminary building which is beautiful architectural feature of the 300 + acre park.

Lots of BIG TOYS.... BIG ENOUGH even for gradeschoolers. This busy and popular park has equipment of all ages and playing fields too for organized sports. Also features one of the better swimming beaches in the area. There is enough to entertain the kids all day. To top it all off, take a break from cooking and enjoy a meal at Kidd Valley Burgers of the more upmarket Ivars Seafood located right in the park.

The newly renovated Rotary Centennial Water Playground with 16 seperate water play features must make Forest Park a top destination for those hot summer days. Forest Park also has a large colorful playground located right next to a large playing field. Tots get there own space here and when they get bored with the big toys, head over to the Animal Farm. Open daily 10am-4pm, kids can wander among ducks, geese, pigs, goats and ponies. (Call for details on educational programs). The 197 acre park also features many lovely wooded trails and also has an indoor swim center featuring a 25m length pool and dive tank.

The playground here is nice enough but the unique play experience here is in the wade-able (is this a word?) stream that runs through it. Get muddy, float leaves, roll pebbles and build dams and the kids will be entertained for hours. If they manage to get bored with that, you can always head over to the working farm onsite for close encounters with sheep, pigs, goats and ponies. (Open 9:30am-3:30pm daily. Free Admission) Amble through the lovely nature trails winding through forests, wetlands and meadows and discover the pioneer cabin.

The colorful, 20,000 sq. ft. playground at Magnuson Park has something for every age group and is very popular with kids. However, that's only the beginning of the fun. Check out Kite Hill, arguable the best place to fly kites in Seattle and home to Kite Fest. Treat your budding basketball stars to a game at the pint-sized outdoor courts with preset hoop heights at 4 feet and 7 feet. On a hot day, cool the kids off in a wading pool with magnificent views of Lake Washington. Other fun stuff in this large 350 acre park include a swimming beach, 4 miles of walking trails, bike trails, playing fields, tennis courts, a community center feaaturing an indoor pool, gym, handball courts, bowling alley and a library.

Be transported through the twisty, windy drive to the park into a seperate peace in the midst of the madding crowd. Children can play in the artist designed playground featuring a salmon slide in which one enters through the mouth and slides out by the tail. Enjoy the faux tide pools with tile details of sea creatures. Your children may be surprised by a passing train beneath them as the walk some of the higher trails above the tracks. Watch spectacular sunsets over the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. In the late summer, observe returning salmon spawning in the stream.