The benefit of the playground life is immeasurable – physical activity, socialization, building fine and gross motor skills, coordination, sensory play, and the list goes on. There’s no question that the playground is the place to be for the under 10 set (and older, we approve), and now that most playgrounds are open for business, your after-school and weekend plans are made. In addition to the biggies such as Van Saun and Overpeck, there are plenty of smaller playgrounds near you that may be equal the fun, with less kids. Call up your mom squad, grab your mask and visit one of these playgrounds near you for outdoor fun.
Crestwood Park Parents of toddlers will love this park’s important feature: it is fully fenced in, perfect for little escape artists. In addition to the usual slides and climbing structures, Crestwood has an “Allendale Fire Department” play structure with a captains wheel, fireman’s pole, monkey bars and more, plus an Allendale PD play structure. Swings and an X-Wave structure round out this popular spot.
300 W Crescent Avenue, Allendale
Dahnert’s Lake County Park Looking for a park with a view? This lakeview park includes a bridge to walk over to a gazebo, as well as a paved path leading to the playground. The playground itself contains two play structures for big and little kids, with slides, age-appropriate climbing structures, poles and much more. You can easily spend a few hours at this beautiful, well-maintained park.
Midland Avenue, Garfield
Finch Park Kids under 5 and older ones will find an age-appropriate place to play at this well-maintained park. The two large play structures include a smaller pirate ship for younger kids, and a larger castle for older kids. But that’s only the beginning. Other fun features include a sandbox (for adventurous parents), rock wall, zipline, climbing structure, swings and three-car train. There is plenty of open field space as well to kick or throw around a ball.
194 Church Street, Ramsey
Haworth Memorial Park This playground got a big upgrade a couple of years ago to include some standout playground features on this modern treehouse-style structure, unique to Memorial Park. If you have a climber, this park is your go-to for getting them off your walls and onto some appropriate climbing spots. The first is a treehouse-style ladder, as well as a rock wall made of real rock -- no faux climbing here! The playground is also equipped with interactive games (see: Biba Playground) plus your standard swings, slides and zip line.
268 Whitman Street, Haworth
Kennedy Field In the toddler play area, expect to find everyone’s favorite purple dinosaur, plus climbing structures, bridges, a tube tunnel and slides. Bigger kids will enjoy a separate areas with rock wall, tunnel and larger slides, as well as a standing swing and standard swings. With neighboring fields and a basketball court, the whole family is sure to enjoy this park with fountain views.
453 Broadway, Norwood
KIDSPOT Playground Newly renovated and updated to improve accessibility and inclusivity, KIDSPOT has play structures for toddlers, young kids and older kids, swings for kids of all ages and abilities, a large glider, more shade and a grassy patch for free play. It also features more handicapped parking, sloped sidewalks and a rubber surface to make the playground fun for every single kid.
88 Darwin Avenue, Rutherford
Memorial Field & Playground Built by the Oradell Kids Foundation, this playground boasts new, modern equipment, surrounded by soccer fields and tennis courts. Both the toddler and bigger play structures have climbing features (think: ladders, loops, poles, rocks and more), steps, slides scaled to be age appropriate.
Prospect Avenue between Park Avenue and Oradell Avenue, Oradell
Milton A. Votee Park Votee is essentially a one-stop-shop as far as playgrounds and parks are concerned. This park includes a number of soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts plus playground equipment and walking paths. The renovated educational playground includes a mini-gym climbing structure, or bring your bikes and scooters to take a trip around one of the bike or walking paths.
Palisade Avenue, Teaneck
Municipal Field Playground Come to play or come to walk/ride, with plenty to do at this park. The play area includes climbing walls and other climbing structures, slides and bridges, with plenty of open space for kids to run. The play area is surrounded by a path perfect for walking or take a family bike or scooter ride. Get in a nature lesson and stop by the small stream to see if you can spot a frog.
480 De Korte Drive, Franklin Lakes
Ridgewood’s Wild Duck Pond Known for its famous dog park, this park is great for kids too. A large playground is bound to keep them happy, and family walks and jogs can be had around the picturesque pond. Fishing and picnicking is lovely here too. There are bathrooms (with a changing table!) and the grounds are kept nice and clean.
1133 E Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood
Ruckman Park Visit this playground to maximize your time spent in the sun, as it’s mostly out of the shade. Ruckman features two large play structures and a smaller one for younger kids including multiple slides and climbing areas, as well as swings. Once the playing is done, take a family stroll along the walking path around the fields.
185 Ruckman Road, Closter
Saddle River County Park – Otto C. Pehle Area Searching for a pretty spot to take a walk or bike ride with the kids? This park has plenty of wildlife to look at while you walk around the pond, a dog park, a picnic area with shaded tables, fishing, ball fields, clean bathrooms, and a great playground. With a variety of climbing options, stairs, bridges and slides, SRCP is a great way to spend the day.
1417 Saddle River Rd., Saddle Brook
Waldwick Lions Memorial Park Clean and well maintained, this park is a great option for all ages, however very manageable for younger kids. The main wooden playground and smaller toddler area includes slides, swings, two zip lines, a bridge, climbing structures, bouncy trucks and much more.
Pine Street, Borough Park, Waldwick
Westvale Park The smaller play structures are easily manageable with little ones, while there is plenty of field space for older kids to play. A shaded picnic area is perfect for cooling down on hotter days. The best part? Bring your dog big or small for a run around their dog park which lives next to the kids’ play area. Westvale also connects to Pascack Brook County Park through a shaded nature preserve.
235 Harrington Avenue, Westwood
Wyckoff Community Playground We love this playground for its spacious layout and multitude of options for different ages. Climbing structures and a rock wall, slides and swings for babies and big kids, as well as baseball and soccer fields give plenty of options for things to do during your visit.
340 Franklin Avenue, Wyckoff
