Kiddos’ eyes always seem to light up when a trip to the park is mentioned. Who can blame them? Playing at the park is one of the best ways to be silly, soak up some fresh air, and get some energy out. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and going to the same playground for the millionth time (okay, it’s probably not that many, but it sure feels like it) can make you want to pull your hair out. To help you get out of your rut, we’ve put together an awesome list of parks you may not even know existed. So grab your little ones and head out for an adventure you won’t soon forget.

1. Ercolini Park
Tucked away in the Alaska Junction of West Seattle, this park is perfect for a quiet day spent in a peaceful location. The playground is equipped with swings for all ages, slides, monkey bars, and a sandbox. Bonus, toys and bikes are always available for use, one less thing you have to bring along.

4542 48th Ave. S.W.
Seattle, Wa 98116

2. Mathison Park
Located just south of the highest point in Burien, this park offers awesome views of Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and Seatac airport, perfect for airplane enthusiasts. It features two playgrounds and plenty of grassy area to play ring around the rosie to your heart’s content.

533 S. 146th St.
Burien, Wa 98166

3. Rotary Community Park
If you’re a fan of Kompan structures, this park is the place for you. Check out the spinning boat, toddler structure with slide, rock climbing wall, and spinning tilted ring. Bring checkers or chess pieces to play on the permanent boards, check and mate!

19518 136th Ave. N.E.
Woodinville, Wa 98072

4. Fort Dent Park
Located between S. Interurban Ave. & Southcenter Blvd., this fab park offers soccer fields, loads of grassy areas for your kiddos to run all their sillies away, two playgrounds, and a small pond with ducks.

6800 Fort Dent Way
Tukwila, Wa 98188

5. Gene Coulon Memorial Park
There is one word to describe Gene Coulon Memorial Park, huge! It covers 57 acres and has something sure to please everyone. Take in amazing Olympic Mountain views while walking the lakeside trail. Play a game of volleyball, check out the boats passing by, and climb on the awesome playground. Little ones will love watching seaplanes come and go, if they can stop playing long enough to notice. Don’t forget to stop for a milkshake at Kid Valley or fish and chips at Ivars. You had us at milkshake!

1202 Lake Washington Blvd.
Renton, Wa 98056

6. Sunset Park
Located in the Lakeland Hills community, this park has awesome views of Mt. Rainier, basketball courts, a skate park, baseball fields, walking trails, and a playground with a cone-shaped climbing wall, what could be cooler?

1306 69th St. S.E.
Auburn, Wa 98092

7. Squak Valley Park
This is a smaller park, but don’t let size fool you, it’s big on fun. Hang out and watch the paragliders, listen to the frogs croak, get lost in the tubes, or take a spin down the slides. One thing to note, there are bathrooms, however, they are closed in winter.

10319 Issaquah-Hobart Rd.
Issaquah, Wa 98027

8. Ella Bailey Park
Located in Magnolia, this park has one of the best views of downtown Seattle. The entire park is surrounded by a paved trail, perfect for your bike and scooter riders. Bonus, the Littles will always be in plain sight which gives you clearance to relax and take in the awesome views. There is also a huge grassy area to play soccer, baseball, or whatever else strikes your fancy.

2601 W. Smith St.
Seattle, Wa 98199

9. Wilburton Hill Park
Located right next to Bellevue Botanical gardens, this park features picnic areas, two baseball fields, a soccer field, and a play area, huge zipline included.

12400 Main St.
Bellevue, Wa 98005

10. Powell Barnett Park
If crazy play structures are what your kiddos crave, make sure you check out Powell Barnett Park in the Central District. The towering spiderweb structure is sure to satisfy the daredevil in your fam and the huge semi-enclosed slide will have your little one giggling the whole way down. Paved paths around the park are perfect for riding bikes or scooters.

352 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Seattle, Wa 98122

11. Freeway Park
Located between 6th and 9th Avenues, Freeway Park is a little bit of paradise tucked in the middle of our bustling city. There is no playground, but kiddos will love climbing steps, exploring the gardens, and admiring the many fountains and waterfalls.

700 Seneca St.
Seattle, Wa 98101

12. Wallingford Playfield
If you have a climber in your fam, Wallingford Playfield is perfect. This park has a large wooden play structure that features connecting walkways and four slides. Kiddos will be giddy with excitement after they take a turn on the merry-go-round or slide down the massive tube slide.

4219 Wallingford Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98127

13. Dahl Playfield
Located in the Wedgwood neighborhood, Dahl Playfield doesn’t have a huge play area, but it is one worth checking out if you are in the Northgate area. Complete with swings, slides, a play structure, paved bike trail, merry-go-round, and twisty toys. So go ahead, bribe your kids with a play date after you go to one more store at the mall, we won’t judge!

7700 25th Ave. N.E.
Seattle, Wa 98115

14. Hing Hay Park
Next time you’re in the International District, make sure to stop by Hing Hay Park. While it doesn’t have a playground, little ones will enjoy taking in the sights of Chinatown and exploring the pagoda.

423 Maynard Ave. S.
Seattle, Wa 98104

15. Lake Meridian Park
A pirate ship, spider web, lake views, walking trails, and an awesome playground, oh my! That and more can be found at Lake Meridian Park in Kent. Complete with grills and picnic tables, grab your hot dogs and hamburgers and make a day of it.

14800 SE 272nd St.
Kent, Wa 98030

16. Meadowdale Neighborhood Park
The major draw is the 60 foot cable swing sure to keep any kid busy for hours. There’s a wood play structure fit for climbing with a triple slide attached. Also, don’t forget your basketball for a game of Horse on the court. The only things missing are a toddler play area and sandbox……oh wait, you’ll find those too!

5700 168th St. S.W.
Lynnwood, Wa 98037

17. Deane’s Children’s Park
Deane’s Children’s Park, aka the dragon park, named for its’ giant, green concrete dragon is located on Mercer Island. Little ones will adore playing King or Queen for the day in the castle-themed play structure with bridge entrance, seesaw, climbing features, and xylophone. Don’t forget to check out Adventure Playground where kids use given materials to create and build.

5500 Island Crest Way
Mercer Island, Wa 98040

18. Rhododendron Park
This is a perfect park to enjoy a picnic lunch and a stroll afterwards. Kiddos will enjoy working off their lunch by climbing on the monkey bars and zipping down slides. Don’t forget to bring bikes, trikes, or scooters to use on the paved trails and a football to toss back and forth on the large grassy areas.

6910 NE 170th St.
Kenmore, Wa 98028

19. Oxbow Park
If different is what you are looking for, then Oxbow Park in Georgetown is calling your name. In addition to giant hat and boot sculptures there is a P-Patch and small play structure. Kiddos will love watching airplanes fly overhead from nearby Boeing. Make note, there are no bathrooms, so make sure you “go” before you go!

6430 Corson Ave. S.
Seattle, Wa 98134

20. Woodlands Park
Woodlands Park, also known as North Rose Hill Park, in Kirkland, offers a wooden play fort complete with turrets, a bouncy bridge, and a dragon climbing wall. There’s also a toddler play area with a wooden train and fire truck. Kiddos will love riding on the tire swing and maybe you can even convince them to give you a turn! Parking is a little challenging, but can be found along 128th Ave. N.E. or N.E. 95th St.

9930 124th Ave. N.E.
Kirkland, Wa 98033

What are your favorite parks and playgrounds to explore? Let us know in the comments below.

-Allison Rasmussen, photos and words

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