Best Playgrounds for Toddlers
Most Chicago Park playgrounds have elements or structures dedicated to very young children. But a few playgrounds stand out as having entire areas dedicated to toddlers and very young children.
Palmer Square Park - Playground
This small playground is full of art and is based on the book "The Velveteen Rabbit" making it a great spot for a quiet adventure and then a snack and a book on a blanket. This playground opens directly into the quiet and shady Palmer Square Park but is not fully enclosed or fenced from the street.
Park 535 - Playground Park
This is a tiny pocket park perfect for toddlers. This site is fully enclosed and features just a few play elements designed for young children.
Coliseum Park - Playground
A modern and funky playground in the South Loop.
Lincoln Park - Roscoe Playground
This playground features a wavy soft rubber surface and lots of sculptural play boats that could be fun for a toddler to explore. There is very limited shade here so be sure to pack a hat on sunny days.
Sheil Community Center Park - Playground
This fully enclosed site has a whole set of elements perfect for young children.
Donahue Park - Playground
This park does contain larger structures for older children (and can get crowded on nice summer days) but this site has a great water spray feature for younger children as well as a small play structure.
Filbert Park - Playground Park
Close to the Brown Line - perhaps too close for some kids! - this park offers a lot of low-to-the-ground elements and interactive panels.
Juniper Park - Playground Park
A great playground with a large sandbox, water spray feature, and slides accessible by a ramp and climbing rocks. This site is popular and can get busy but is wonderful.
Maplewood Park - Playground
Great playground that is fully enclosed with a soft rubber play surface.
Dean Park - Playground
With a sprawling and low-to-the-ground structure, this is a great spot for younger children.
Edwin C. Berry Playground
There are some larger elements at this playground (a few large climbing walls) but there is an entire play structure for younger children and two gentle water spray features.
Elizabeth Benton Playground
There are lots of play elements for younger children at this playground and the quiet and shady setting is wonderful.
Elizabeth Wood Park - Playground
This is a wonderful playground that is fully enclosed with several elements for young children. The site is bright and sunny so pack a hat on sunny days.
Gill Park - Playground
This is a funky and interesting space with lots of hills and varied terrain.
Goudy Square Park - Playground Park
This playground on the Gold Coast has lots of play elements perfect for a toddler to explore.
Klein Park - Playground Park
This fully enclosed park has several features for younger children and a shade umbrella.
Guide to Playgrounds for New Playground People
I've been thinking seriously about playgrounds for a few years. One realization I've had is that each year there is a new cohort of parents venturing out into Chicago Park playgrounds for the first time. Though not an expert, I've developed some strong opinions on playgrounds, playground design, and playground etiquette that I wanted to share.
- Nearly all playgrounds are good playgrounds for young children. I personally think that quiet, neighborhood pocket parks (parks in the middle of a block) might be best for very young children.
- Well-designed playgrounds help keep young children safe. Often there are two distinct play areas based on the age of the child and the swings are set apart from both play areas. This separation of use seems obvious but is interesting to see in practice.
- Experts - including the American Academy of Pediatrics - recommend against going down a slide with your child on your lap. Read more here.
- Pack plastic gloves in the diaper bag in case there is garbage at the playground.
- We have a first aid kit in the car. This brings some peace of mind but honestly a ziplock bag of band-aids would suffice.
- Kids love to get dirty and - when water features are on - to get wet. My first year as parent to a playground-player I tried to avoid getting really messy; I now regret this. Pack a towel and a change of clothes and embrace it.
- Alternatively, use this site to find playgrounds without water features, sand, or wood chips. As the adult, you get to determine the location. If a particular feature or piece of equipment (like, say, a platform bridge) is an irresistible temptation for your child or a stressor for you, just avoid that site if possible. It's not fun to say "no" a lot - I try to do what I can to make the environment a "yes" space.