Seattle has a plethora of options when it comes to playgrounds. Swings and slides, climbing structures and walls: so many things to do at the park that will keep your little (and big) kids engaged and active. These Seattle-area playgrounds have various themed features for children of all ages and interests.
If trains, boats, baseball and farms are what your child fancies, then you can’t go wrong with one of these playgrounds. Try something new, too. Colorful, creative parks and structures will have you going back to play at these playgrounds again and again.
Seattle
Sea Creatures theme: Carkeek Park (Seattle)
Sliding through the salmon sculpture is just the beginning of things to do at this park! The ocean-themed play area (1- to 8-year-olds) is next to a small playground (1- to 4-year-olds) with views of Puget Sound. Walk across the overpass and down a long staircase to reach the beach. You can also hike the wooded trails, visit Piper’s Orchard, or have a picnic in the meadow. If you visit in the fall, you can see salmon running!
Note: The park will be renovated in the spring of 2024 and is slated for completion in the spring of 2025. This will improve accessibility from the parking lot to the playground and replace the ground with a synthetic surface. The salmon slide may also be repainted. The pedestrian bridge will also be renovated in the spring of 2025, with completion in 2026.
Ocean theme: Alki Playground & Whale Tail Park (West Seattle)
Kids will dive into this ocean-themed playground with a play structure shaped like a sand castle, a climbable boat, a whale’s tail sculpture, and sand play area. This playground is best for younger kids (1-6), but keep an eye out because it is not fenced. If you walk across the playfield, there is a second playground that is fun for bigger kids (5-10). Round out your adventure with a stroll along Alki Beach (1.5 blocks north) or a woodsy hike through Schmitz Preserve (southeast corner).
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North End
Baseball theme: Shoreview Park (Shoreline)
Batter up! This small playground (for ages 4-8) offers the novelty of climbing on a giant ball, glove, and bat — and it’s next to a ballfield. The park is a local favorite that also features a second playground (for ages 2-8), tennis courts, paved loop, wooded trails, a creek and a dog park.
Note: The baseball playground is on the uphill (south) part of the park, near the tennis courts. The second playground is on the lower level, accessible by stairs or ramp.
Inspiration these: Inspiration Playground, Bellevue Downtown Park (Bellevue)
With so many options to inspire play, it feels like an outdoor children’s museum — for free! From the hillside slides to the climbing wall, the musical section to the in-ground trampoline, there is something for everyone (ideal for ages 1-10). In the summer, kids can cool off in the water feature area. This park is designed to be inclusive, with accessible play structures and Braille on the park map.
Note: This playground can get very busy. For a quieter experience, visit early in the morning or on rainy days.
Farm theme: Kelsey Creek Farm (Bellevue)
The playground includes a barn/country market play structure for bigger kids (4-10), another structure for smaller kids (1-5), a saucer swing and a rope carousel. Head over to the barns to see sheep, goats, ponies, pigs, cows, rabbits, and chickens. The animals are out for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The gravel loop around the pastures is a nice walking path and there are more trails in the woods.
Note: The play structure has buttons that play animal sounds and other noises. If random sounds bother you or your child, skip the playground and check out the rest of the farm instead.
Train theme: Wilburton Hill Park (Bellevue)
All aboard! Younger kids (1-4) will enjoy playing on the train structure. Older kids (5-10) will have fun climbing the logging tower play structure. The zipline is a big hit, as well as the saucer swing and rope carousel. Adults can use the outdoor exercise equipment. The park also has sports fields and woods for short hikes. To extend the fun, visit Bellevue Botanical Garden, 0.3 miles away by taking the path north along the soccer field. Want to park hop? Try the newly renovated Crossroads Park, or visit Kelsey Creek Farm or Surrey Downs Park.
Outer space theme: North Kirkland Community Center Park (Kirkland)
This park packs several space-themed elements into a fairly small area, starting with Saturn and a rocket structure. Bigger kids (5-10) can test their climbing skills on the 7-foot moon and the rings-and-rope structure, while younger kids (1-4) use the toddler slides and spring-mounted wobbler.
Note: The park is shaped like an L, and you can’t see the whole park at once. This can be a drawback if kids want to play in different sections.
Castle theme: North Rose Hill Woodlands Park (Kirkland)
Kids of all ages (1-10) will enjoy running around and playing hide-and-seek in this old-school wooden playground. There is a fenced play area for younger kids, and a dragon-themed climbing wall for older kids. To stretch the legs more, follow the paved path through the woods and across a short boardwalk to an open field and picnic shelter.
Note: The castle playground is along 124th Avenue Northeast, just south of Northeast 97th Street. We took several wrong trails before finding it.
Dragon theme: Deane’s Children’s Park (Mercer Island)
If a 50-foot-long climbable dragon sculpture sounds fun, this is the park for you! Kids (4-10) will love playing on the dragon, as well as two playgrounds and a climbing area. Toddlers (1-3) will enjoy the bucket swings. There are tennis courts and sports fields, as well as short hiking trails to round out the fun.
Chutes & Ladders Playground: West Fenwick Park (Kent)
Life-size game, colorful play structures, accessible options. Whether your kids play Chutes & Ladders or not, this life-size version is sure to be a hit! Kids (1-10) can climb, slide, hop, and swing on colorful equipment. This park intermixes play structures designed for different ages, making it easier to keep an eye on more than one child. Beyond the playground, kids can enjoy a picnic on the grass, playing on the basketball court, or scooting around the flat paved loop.
Bonus: Gnome Trail (Maple Valley)
Although it’s not a playground, this short, fun hike is sure to please younger kids (2-8, or any age with a sense of whimsy). The trail is full of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of gnomes and other figurines — look for toadstools, butterflies, baby Yodas and more. It’s a small area with a few intersecting trails, so it’s a choose-your-own-adventure depending on how long you want to explore.
Note: We also enjoyed the Maple Valley Farmers Market, which takes place in the parking lot from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays, May through October. Navigation tip: Search for “New Gnome Trail” – the trail starts at the back of the parking lot.
Crossroads Park Playground, Lower Level
Visit the newly renovated playground, at the lower level of Crossroads Park (next to the Crossroads Community Center)! There is a dedicated small area for kids ages 2 to 5, and a larger partly shaded play area for older kids that is great for hot days. The ground is part turf, part bark and there are lots of interactive noise makers and built in games. They have eight new slides! The park is conveniently lcoated next to a fenced in dog park, so you can bring your furry family members on the outing.
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