These playgrounds have extra personality and offer more fun than just swings and sliding boards. Farms, storybook themes, airplanes, and other interesting elements give these playground destinations something special that kids will enjoy and parents will appreciate.
Watch Planes Take Off and Land
BWI Trail playground at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area, Glen Burnie
This playground was recently renovated. Although there is just one structure, the playground packs in a lot of fun with a big rock-climbing wall, challenging vertical bars to climb, tree stumps for toddlers to jump across, and a little window to play store. Rubber tire chips make for a soft landing. Plus, it has the added value of airplanes taking off or landing just overhead every few minutes — making for an unforgettable playground experience for the whole family. Portable potties are nearby.
1911 Dorsey Road
aacounty.org/locations-and-directions/bwi-trail
Visit a Farm
Kinder Farm Park, Millersville
When it comes to great local playgrounds, Kinder Farm Park always seems to be at the top of the list and for good reason. Its sprawling playground is huge, so big kids can run across bridges and zoom down straight and curly slides while toddlers tinker with tic-tac-toe boards underneath. 4-H members take care of the animals living at Kinder Farm. Pigs, chickens, cows, goats and baby quail fascinated my kids the last time we were there. Bathrooms, walking trails and a little farm museum are nearby. Best of all, shade structures keep it a viable option, even in the summer sun. There is an admission fee of $6 per vehicle.
1001 Kinder Farm Park Road
https://www.aacounty.org/recreation-parks/parks/kinder-farm-park
Wooded Trails and a Splash Park
Truxtun Park, Annapolis
The Pip Moyer Recreation Center, ball fields, tennis and pickleball courts, a skateboard park, swim center and boat ramp are spread across Truxtun Park. But what is often overlooked are the trails that wind through the park.
From the cuboid playground structure next to the basketball courts, you can walk through the woods and along the creek, until you see a pump station and a wooden bridge. The trail is easy to follow. The new pool is in the woods to your right and features a splash pad for those warm summer days. There is also a skateboard park and inside Pip Moyer there are other fun opportunities for kids. There are fees to use both the Rock Climbing Wall and Ballocity, an indoor playspace featuring climbing tubes, slides and foam ball launchers. Check out the website for times and fees.
“Pip” Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis
https://www.annapolis.gov/412/Pip-Moyer-Recreation-Center
Visit Magical Woodland Creatures
Woodland Wonderland Playground, Capitol Heights
Nestled within Walker Mill Regional Park in Capitol Heights, the playground has numerous climbing structures, more than a dozen slides, including one that looks like a tree trunk, and a scavenger hunt for woodland characters (some of them talk) hiding in the area. Cool off in the “Walker Mill Misting Park” section of the playground that offers squirting statues and other water features. Kids don’t have to get soaked playing among reeds that gently squirt water when a button is pushed.
8001 Walker Mill Road, Capitol Heights
https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/walker-mill-regional-park
Travel from Kansas to Emerald City
Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro
At this cool park, there are at least two cool playgrounds and tons of other fun. The Wizard of Oz-themed playground for the kids has an Emerald City jungle gym, yellow brick road and ruby slipper slides. There’s also a horse racing-themed playground with a horse head statue to climb and horses on springs to ride. The park also has other fun, including a miniature train, carousel, miniature golf course, nature center, hiking trails and farm.
301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro
https://www.pgparks.com/parks_trails/watkins-regional-park
Ride an Antique Carousel and Train
Wheaton Regional Park
This park is best known for its massive slides, but it also has an antique carousel and a small train. The playground has three main sections: the slides, the playground for older kids and a baby/toddler section that includes a large sandbox. There are also swings under trees in the shade! Brookside Nature Center is only a short walk in the woods to the other side of the park.
2000 Shorefield Road. Silver Spring
montgomeryparks.org
