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.

Percival Landing

When kids convene in Olympia their policies include spending less effort on red tape and more time on the green lawn at Percival Landing - and we couldn’t agree more. Within eye-shot of the Capital’s dome, the park features nearly a mile-long boardwalk around Budd Inlet with sculptures and artwork to look at along the way. Be sure to walk down to the Farmer’s Market for some Chehalis Mints (yum!) or venture up the lookout tower for a view of the Olympic Mountains. At the playground, kids can slide, swing and climb on unique equipment seldom found in other parks, including two cargo-net merry-go-rounds to spin on with the marina as the backdrop.

Good to Know: Parking is free for the first two hours (bonus!) and the bathrooms are clean (double bonus!). The best part? The park is within walking distance of Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum, perfect for making your trip a full day adventure.

217 Thurston Ave. N.W.
Olympia, Wa 98501
Online: olympiawa.gov/community/parks/percival-landing.aspx

photo: Rachael Brandon