Best Playgrounds in
Seattle

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Best Playgrounds

Best Playgrounds in Seattle

Seattle has a large number of playgrounds spread out among the various parks and schools throughout the city. You will find a lot of variety in terms of play structures and facilities, with some parks boasting zip lines, large play structures and numerous swings. All the playgrounds selected below offer a great environment for kids to release energy, with updated play structures and or nearby attractions.

Best Playgrounds

Jefferson Park Playground

Built in 2012, this park playground on Beacon Hill boasts a couple of distinct play areas (one is geared specifically towards children ages 2 to 5) that will surely entertain your children. You will find the usual playground gear like a number of different swings, play structures, climbing walls slides and even two zip lines. However the main attraction, especially during the summer, are the two large slides built into the hillside which coast into the spray park. Almost as fun as going down, there are a variety of ways to get back up the hill, whether by stairs or turf laid on top of the hillside. Nearby attractions include a skate park, large playfields and a natural food forest. Oh, and did we mention you also get fantastic views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, as well as the Seattle skyline?

Highland Park Playground

The Highland Park Playground was remodeled in 2018 and has a large play area covered with wood chips and a number of benches surrounding the playground. With swingsets, various sized slides, and a climbing rock, children of all ages are sure to find a play structure that will capture their fancy. Throw in conveniently located bathrooms adjacent to the park, and it's easy to see why Highland Park Playground is one of the favorites in South Seattle. And did we mention there is a spray park to cool off in the summer right next to the playground?

Golden Gardens Playground

Built in 2011, the Golden Gardens Playground offers a couple of swing sets as well as three different climbing structures with slides : One is a pirate ship and geared towards younger children, another offers a large slide and the third is a rope jungle gym, providing a place for kids to hone their climbing skills. Of course the playground may take a backseat to the star of Golden Gardens, the beach. There is ample room for kids to play in the sand as well as frolic in the cool Puget Sound waters. And don’t forget about the train tracks nearby, providing glimpses and sounds of trains running throughout the day.

Woodland Park Playground

This nature inspired playground has a couple of different play structures that include two tree housed themed structures connected by a RingTangle climbing bridge. The structures can be accessed via stairs, a climbing wall or a faux rock ledge. Additionally, you will find a couple of different swing sets and a sandbox, and in the center of the playground is a spiral maze which the kids love running and or climbing up and down. The playground just happens to be located next to the zoo, and is a very popular stop before and after zoo time. The park also has a large lawn area, with numerous trees providing shade for picnics during the hot and dry summers.

Ella Bailey Park

This park and playground in the Magnolia neighborhood has small areas covered in wood chips with updated play structures and swings. The playground sits next to a large grass area, and there are a number of permanent picnic tables spread out around the park near the playground, making it a perfect spot to grab lunch or an afternoon snack. Perhaps the best park about the park is for the adults; you can enjoy amazing views of downtown Seattle and Elliot Bay while your kids have fun on the playground!

Artists at Play Playground

The Artists at Play playground was designed by artists Trimpin and Judith Caldwell and is located in Seattle Center adjacent to the Museum of Pop Culture. It features a 30 foot high climbing tower with suspension bridges - don't worry, the structure and slides are enclosed to prevent falls - turf mounds, a yellow song fence and more musical and artistic play structures. There is no charge to use this playground and it's the perfect place for kids to release their energy if visiting the local tourist attractions around Seattle Center.