Activities for Kids

The South Sound’s Top 15 Playgrounds

From medieval castles, to nautical play structures and seaside swings, click through the gallery to discover the best playgrounds the South Sound has to offer.

By Rachael Brandon August 22, 2017

Thanks to our record dry streak and long summer days, Seattle kids are loving the extra play time at their favorite parks. But if you’ve done the local playground circuit enough your smartphone thinks you work at the neighborhood tot lot, maybe it’s time to branch out into new territory. From medieval castles, to nautical play structures, to seaside swings and lakefront lunch spots, click through the gallery to see the best playgrounds the South Sound has to offer.

Fort Steilacoom Park

This castle park in Lakewood can best be described using one word - HUGE! The historic Fort Steilacoom park spans 340 acres and includes a dog park, playground and miles of trails through fields, woods and around the small Waughop lake. The play area offers two large sets of swings, big kid and toddler play structures with bridges, hidden nooks and slides to play on. The biggest challenge is keeping tabs on the wee ones among the tall walls and enclosures, so plan a lost parent spot in advance in case you get separated.

Bonus: Bordering the west end of the park is the Pierce College campus and Science Dome which offers kid-friendly, Saturday planetarium shows for just $6 per child.

8714 87th Ave. S.W.
Lakewood, Wa 98498
Online: cityoflakewood.us/parks-and-recreation/parks/fort-steilacoom-park

photo: Jennifer B via flickr