Will today bring you to the board game-themed park or the one with the salmon slide?
Seattle is home to some truly amazing playgrounds. From towering jungle gyms with picturesque views to themed playsets, these playgrounds around Puget Sound will ignite your child’s wonderous imagination and are great places to get their energy out. Get ready to zip, bounce, swing, and slide your way to these playgrounds. Your next playdate awaits!
Artists at Play
Artists at Play will get your heart racing (and your kiddos too). Located at Seattle Center right next to the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), this playground is a must-visit! The monstrous 30-foot-tall climbing structure is the cornerstone. Don’t fear though, there is a smaller structure for little ones who aren’t quite ready to hit the heights.
Seattle Center
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattlecenter.com
Forest Park Playground
Forest Park Playground is an expansive playground located in the heart of Forest Park in Everett. Created for kids of all ages and abilities, there is something for everyone here. The playground will ignite your child’s imagination. Brightly colored creatures are sprinkled throughout the play area. There are also structures like a We-Go-Round with easy access on and off as well as high back swings. Tap into your inner musician and play on the many musical installments or climb on the many climbing structures.
Insider tip: Adjacent to the playground is a splash park, so pack accordingly in the summer.
802 E Mukilteo Blvd
Everett, WA
Online: everettwa.gov
KidsUp! The Next Generation of Play
Hop on a ferry and head to this imaginative and inclusive playground at Battle Point Park on Bainbridge Island. The giant ferry boat is the centerpiece of the playground, offering 47 feet of imaginative, scalable fun. All aboard!
You’ll also find structures like a wheelchair-friendly We-Go-Round spinner, climbable Orca whales, a lookout pier, and a sandy play area. We love the soft surfaces all around the playground, great for soft landings for tiny feet.
Battle Point Park
11299 Arrow Point Drive NE
Bainbridge Island
North Kirkland Community Center Park
We promised themed play places, and this one is out of this world! From the space shuttle play structure to the oversized Saturn and moon climbers, your little astronaut can let their imagination blast off.
12421 103 Ave. N.E.
Kirkland, WA
Online: kirklandwa.gov
Bellevue Downtown Park
Located in bustling Bellevue this park is aptly named, “Inspiration Park.” The structures are whimsical and great for all ages and abilities. From see-saws to an in-ground trampoline, your little explorers will love climbing, sliding, and hopping around this playground in Bellevue Downtown Park.
Good to know: it also sports a splash pad, waterfalls, and sensory water table for those upcoming hot summer days!
10201 NE 4th St
Bellevue, WA
Online: parks.bellevuewa.gov
Seward Park
Seward Park is home to an old-growth forest great for hiking, a bike and walking path (with amazing waterfront views), and don’t forget about the playground. We love the climbing structures and zip line. It’s great for all ages and there are ample things to do for your little adventurers. Whether you want to stroll the waterfront and take in the views or play at the park, you’ll find plenty to do here.
Good to know: Pack a camera. In the spring, cherry blossoms around the walking trails make great backdrops for photos.
5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattle.gov
Carkeek Park
Carkeek Park is a great one-stop shop. It has it all! Open fields, a playground, beach access, meandering trails throughout the sprawling forest, and spectacular views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. We love the nature-inspired play area adjacent to the climbing structures. What makes this park so unique, besides the picturesque views? Two words: salmon slide!
950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattle.gov
Point Ruston Waterwalk
If you find yourself in need of a road trip down south, plan to make a stop here! Less than two miles away from Point Defiance Park and Zoo, this seaside playground is a great add-on to your adventure. It's small, but it offers arguably one of the best playground views in the area! The ferryboat play structure, swings, and splash pad will delight your little ones. While you're there, check out the many shops, stop for ice cream or fish and chips, play at the beach, or take a walk along Point Ruston Waterwalk.
5115 Grand Loop
Tacoma, WA
Online: pointruston.com
Lake Sammamish State Park
Another playground on the Eastside you won’t want to miss is a playground in the heart of Lake Sammamish State Park. Located right on the shores of Lake Sammamish in Issaquah is where you will find this whimsical, coal mining town-themed playground. You’ll be delighted by an oversized mushroom cottage, hidden woodland creatures, mining town cubbies and cabins, and a painted stream with leaping salmon.
Good to know: Pack your beach bag in the summer, your kids will love the sandy shores of the park. Don’t forget your umbrella (and some 50+ SPF sunscreen) and your Discover Pass.
2000 N.W. Sammamish Rd.
Issaquah, WA
Online: parks.state.wa.us
Saint Edward State Park
Saint Edward State Park boasts ample opportunities for recreation and fun. In the sprawling 326-acre day-use park, you’ll find fields, a castle-inspired playground, trails winding through thick forests, and freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington.
On the grounds is also a once Catholic seminary turned upscale hotel. The Lodge at St. Edward is another reason to visit the park. Head inside for lunch at Cedar + Elm or take a walk down the halls of the old seminary and explore the beautiful local art featured each month.
Good to know: Be sure to bring along your Discover Pass.
14445 Juanita Dr. NE
Kenmore, WA
Online: parks.state.wa.us
Miner’s Corner County Park
The lookout tower is one of the many attractions at Miner’s Corner County Park. The playground is great for little climbers. There is also an area for nature-based play with natural structures and short trails weaving through the wetlands and meadows. If you feel like getting dirty, there is also a sandbox where little dino diggers can find hidden fossils.
22903 45th Ave. S.E.
Bothell, WA
Online: snohomishcountywa.gov
Houghton Beach Park
There are many great parks along the Kirkland Waterfront that offer a variety of stops for play, but the largest and most kid-friendly park is Houghton Beach Park. With a large-scale climbing structure, a huge sandy beach, and a pedestrian dock, Houghton Beach Park is a great place for a playdate whatever the weather.
5811 Lake Washington Blvd.
Kirkland, WA
Online: parksofkirkland.com
Imagine Children’s Museum
Technically, this playground requires admission, but it’s worth the price. The Imagine Children’s Museum located in Everett has a rooftop playground your kiddos will love.
The 9,149-square-foot outdoor Rooftop Adventure is brimming with things to do. Climb a towering climbing structure, dig for dinosaur bones, make a tune on the open-air symphony, or play a game of checkers. There is so much to explore, your little ones won’t want to leave.
Hours: Closed Monday; Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $22 per person; children 2 & under free
1502 Wall St.
Everett, WA
Online: imaginecm.org
West Fenwick Park Playground
Do you like to play board games? If you do, we have the perfect playground for you. Imagine a playground that brings games to life. That’s what you’ll find at West Fenwick Park Playground in Kent. The board game-themed playground is one you can’t miss, literally. Its bright colors will entertain your little players. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
3808 Reith Rd
Kent, WA
