Here is a round-up of our favorite playgrounds in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. Grab a buddy (and your kids) and check these off your bucket list! Each one of them is truly unique!
Hover over the name of the park to take you the website and over the address so you know how to get there. At least one of our contributors has been to and vouches for these playgrounds. Of course, these aren’t all of the playgrounds in our area, but some of our favorites! Enjoy!
Washington, DC Playgrounds
Beauvoir School Playground 3500 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016
The Beauvoir School is kind enough to open their truly awesome playground to the public after school and on the weekends. On days when school or camp is not in session, the playground is open for use all day. See the school’s calendar to see weekdays that the School is closed.
Chevy Chase Recreation Center Playground 5500 41st Street NW Washington, DC 20015
They have a great play area with a rubber surface and it is fenced in. Plus it is right next to the public library and rec center (with quality classes).
Douglass Playground 2100 Stanton Terrace SE Washington, DC 20020
This rubber surface playground has slides, a biplane, a music house, an ADA Accessible Aero glider, and an electronic game. The site also has a community garden, basketball courts, and fitness stations.
Guy Mason Recreation Center Playground 3600 Calvert Street NW Washington, DC 20007
This playground has a constellation theme, so it has a big metal globe with telescopes. There are also swings (including bucket swings), a playhouse, climbing structures, balancing structures, and a large sandbox. There is also a basketball court and baseball diamond on site.
Hains Point 2301 Ohio Drive SW Washington, DC 20024
Do you ever feel like you need to get out of the city for fresh air? There is plenty of room to roam around at the tip of the East Potomac Park! Two expansive playgrounds, room to play ball, a swimming pool, golf area, tennis courts, and cycling trail. Plus, viewing the Cherry Blossoms here is epic and not as crowded as the National Harbor. It also offers great sights of the Potomac River, Anacostia River, and Washington Channel–you’ll see fun boats!
Harry Thomas Sr Park 1743 Lincoln Rd NE Washington, DC 20002
This playground was named one of the 16 Coolest Playgrounds in the World by MentalFloss.com in 2015 and, also in 2015, was ranked #2 out of the 50 Best Playgrounds in America by the Early Childhood Education Zone. There are two play areas which are fenced in and have rubber surfaces. One is for younger kids and the other is for kids aged 5-12. There are many climbing structures, floating steps, a rock wall, swings, slide, gear boards, and more.
Pirate Ship Playground at Anacostia Park 1900 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
Anacostia Park is an NPS site that stretches along the Anacostia River. It has a skating pavilion, 3 playgrounds, walking/running/biking trails, fitness stations, basketball and tennis courts, and more! The Pirate Ship playground is a wonderful play area where your little ones can pretend they are sailing on the high seas.
Rosedale Recreation Center Playground 1701 Gales Street NE Washington, DC 20002
The playground is designed with a National Mall theme, so it includes many DC landmarks. It is also an inclusive playground, designed to be accessible to kids and caregivers of all abilities.
Sherwood Recreation Center Playground 640 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002
Sherwood playground has multiple play areas including one for smaller kids, a human sundial, and live instruments kids can play. Some equipment is accessible for wheelchairs and kids of varying abilities. The rec center also has a basketball court and a small track and field area.
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center Playground 1100 Michigan Ave NE Washington, DC 20017
This playground has a variety of play structures including a big train going through a mountain, balance bridges, climbing walls and other climbing structures, swings, and more. There is also a spray park, swimming pool, and tennis courts.
Northern Virginia Playgrounds
Clemyjontri Park 6317 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22101
This is a huge playground with a variety of sections. It is designed for children of all abilities. It also has a carousel, a train, and picnic tables.
Potomac Yard Park 2501 Potomac Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301
There are two fenced playgrounds with rubber surfaces, and they are separated by an interactive fountain. One playground is for toddlers and includes a maze, slides, swings and more. The other playground is for kids aged 5-12. It has tall slides, climbing structures, swings, a zip-line, balance beams and more. A train track runs directly beside the playground and Reagan National Airport is nearby, so planes and trains entertain the kids while they play.
Maryland Playgrounds
Cabin John Regional Park 7400 Tuckerman Ln, Bethesda, MD 20817
Cabin John Regional Park offers something for every sports lover and is situated just minutes north of Washington. D.C. Recreational options include summer ball games on the various athletic fields, tennis on both indoor and outdoor courts, Tai Chi, and even ice skating in the summer at the fully enclosed Cabin John Ice Rink. Visitors can also connect with nature through a variety of environmental nature programs, become entranced by a ride on the model train, or spend the afternoon relaxing with family and friends at various picnic and playground areas. The Adventure Playground a well-shaded highlight–and don’t miss the totem pole! Children and adults alike are captivated by the miniature train running through the park. The train’s five passenger cars carry visitors on a scenic two-mile ride through the Cabin John Regional Park (about a 15-minute ride). If an afternoon isn’t enough, spend the night enjoying the campgrounds, hiking, and biking trails, there is plenty of scenery to explore.
Caroline Freeland Urban Park 7200 Arlington Road Bethesda, MD 20814
Located in between the Giant Food and the Library on Arlington Road, this downtown Bethesda Playground is a wonderful spot. Fully fenced in with a rubber ground, the playground features swings and climbing structures for toddlers and young children. Because of its convenient location, it can get crowded on the weekends.
Ellsworth Urban Park 621 Ellsworth Drive Silver Spring, MD 20910
Want to have some fun? Check out Ellsworth Park! It is a lovely 3.6-acre park super close to downtown Silver Spring. It offers a large dynamic playground area for older and younger kiddos. In addition, it has tennis courts and a fun, new dog park.
Falls Road Local Park 12600 Falls Road Potomac, MD 20854
Get active on the baseball field, soccer field, football field and walking path with exercise equipment at Falls Road Local Park in Potomac! Don’t miss the award-winning Hadley’s Playground, a unique and playground ready for children of all ages and abilities to play together.
Greenbriar Local Park 12525 Glen Road Travilah, MD 20854
Greenbriar Local Park is 25-acres of fun! It combines a vast green space, picnic area and has two playgrounds with a rubber surface. The younger kiddos will love the fun Chesapeake Bay-themed play area complete with a fishing boat! The older kiddos (5-12) can climb, slide, jump, and swing on the Piedmont Play Fort. In addition, visitors can learn about “The Journey of Raindrop” and find insights about watersheds, geography, and Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay wildlife. Don’t forget to bring a ball since there is also a soccer field, volleyball area, and basketball court.
Heurich Community Park 6001 Ager Road Hyattsville, MD 20781
Any kid who loves superheroes will love this comic-themed space. It is bright and fun with space for kids ages 2-12. Check it out and go ahead and wear a cape.
North Four Corners Local Park 315 University Boulevard West Silver Spring, MD 20901
North Four Corners Local Park rests on 13.9 acres. There is a climbing web for big kids, a play firetruck, two playgrounds, and a fitness station for the adults. It also has fields for various sports, plus basketball and tennis courts. Bring a picnic to enjoy!
Norwood Park 4700 Norwood Place Bethesda, MD 20815
Norwood Local Park is a popular place with its two playgrounds, five tennis courts, basketball courts, softball fields, a soccer/football overlay field, a soccer overlay field, and two park activity buildings. The fully wooden playground is expansive and very different than some of the other local parks.
Walker Mill Regional Park 8001 Walker Mill Road District Heights, MD 20747
This 500-acre wooded park offers lots of imaginative space with a windmill, a giant anthill large ants, bridges, and a variety of climbing structures. Be on the lookout for woodland creatures throughout the space and enjoy the treehouse! In addition, there are basketball, tennis courts, skate park, baseball field, softball field, and large sheltered picnic area.
Wheaton-Claridge Local Park 11901 Claridge Road Wheaton, MD
Drive over a bridge to access this newly renovated (2018) playground. Perfect for kids who love to climb! The park has a lovely stream running through it and it is nestled right next to inviting forest trails for little and big explorers. There are also picnic areas, bathrooms, and basketball courts.
Watkins Regional Park 301 Watkins Park Drive Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Watkins should be on the top of your list to check out–it is special! There are a variety of activities at this park including a carousel, mini-golf, an agricultural farm, and a miniature train. The 14,000 square foot playground is one of the best in the area. It has a Wizard of Oz theme. After they pass under the rainbow, children can slide down a giant pair of ruby red slippers, play in Auntie Em’s house, climb around on the Emerald City, and skip down the yellow brick road.
If you have any favorite parks that you’d love to share, please let us know! Thanks!