Toddlers can be a challenge at the playground. They don’t always know their limits and are often fond of stuffing rocks into their mouths. I’ve picked out a list of 21 of the best playgrounds for toddlers.
I looked for accessible flooring which makes it easier for them to maneuver and gives them less to ‘eat’ as well as ramps, swings and equipment that they will find engaging but won’t give their parents a heart attack.
1. Forest Lawn Ramp Playground
Forest Lawn – 52nd St SE between 8th Avenue and 14th Avenue.
This playground is perfect for early walkers. a large ramp system takes little feet a long way but doesn’t get up to a huge height. There is a small double slide making for good side by side play and there is also a saucer swing.
2. Bowness Park Playground
Bowness – Bowness Park – 8900 48 Ave. N.W
This playground has an excellent toddler climber with ramps that little ones will love running up and down and a train themed component too.
There are no traditional swings but there are two saucer swings – if you have a younger toddler they may enjoy it more if you swing on it with them. The park has many picnic areas, large mature trees and on the East side of the park there is a lagoon and the wading pool.
3. Renfrew Park Playground
Renfrew811 Radford Road N.E. (Beside the Renfrew Community Association – NOT the athletic park)
Renfrew’s playground is designed for kids 5 and under. Nothing here gets too high and it has outdoor carpet flooring that is easy for kids to walk on and is gentler on knees and hands for crawlers and early walkers. There is a great ramp system, double slides and baby swings.
4. Riley Park Playground
Hillhurst – 800 12 St. N.W (South of SAIT)
At this playground there is a small toddler climber, a ramp and floor level gazebo area as well as swings including a saucer swing, baby swings and traditional swings. The park also boasts a large shady wading pool and beautiful flower gardens.
5. Killarney Accessible Playground
29 St SW at 19 Ave SW
Young toddlers will love being able to easily run around the ground, going up and down the ramp and little slides. Kids a bit older will love the high balconies, navigating the step trees and walking across the wobbly balance beam.
6. Currie Barracks Airport Playground
Currie Barracks – 2953 Battleford Ave SW
This playground has great shade and accessible flooring. Toddlers will love the airplane theme, complete with an airplane climber and little airplane bouncers.
7. Auburn Bay Toddler Playground
Auburn Crest Way and Auburn Crest Green SE
A great playground built for the smaller set with just enough to entertain younger schooled aged kids for a bit too. Great opportunities for active play and pretend play and allowing safe independence for those under 5.
Update: This playground now has pea gravel
8. Spruce Cliff Playground
Spruce Cliff – Poplar Rd and 7th Ave SW (by Wildflower Arts Centre)
This playground doesn’t have a separate toddler climber but it does have a great ramp system and accessible flooring that toddlers will love. They also have small slides and a saucer swing. The shade is poor so if you are bringing along a baby you may want to pack your own shade.
9. Applestone Park Playground
Applewood – Applestone Park – Applewood Drive SE & Applestone Park SE
This playground is huge and one of the best in the city. Toddlers will love floor level playghouse, the baby swings, saucer swings and preschool climber with a huge ramp system. If you have a toddler that tends to fall out of openings you may need to keep an eye on them if they venture up to the higher levels.
10. New Brighton Treehouse Playground
New Brighton – 2000 Brightoncrest GRN
Toddlers will love the baby swings, attractive treehouse theme, accessible flooring and challenging climber that doesn’t get too high.
11. South Glenmore Park Playground
South Glenmore Park – 90 Ave. & 24 St. S.W.
This playground really has everything. It has a toddler climber, some great additions to the north side that toddlers will love too, accessible flooring and in the summer months it also has washrooms and a spray park.
The park area has mature trees and there are pathways that run by the playground that continue along the water. There are picnic tables and a large gazebo.
12. Vista Heights Playground
Vista Heights – 1820 Valleyview Rd NE
Specifically designed for kids 5 and under, this playground has a large ramp system, accessible flooring, musical panels, swings and only one small section that gets a bit high for younger toddlers.
13. Rainbow Park Playground
Albert Park – Radcliffe Crescent SE
This playground has the same design as the Spruce Cliff playground above and features great ramps, small slides, accessible flooring and a saucer swing. The park itself has a lot more mature trees so the shade is much better.
14. North Glenmore Park Playground
North Glenmore – 53 ave SW and 21 St SW
Toddlers will find the engineered wood fibre flooring to be easier to navigate than pea gravel (however, parents may still dislike it). This natural playground has some great features, however, tons of rocks and logs to climb on, a hill slide, and a tiny house with a bunny inside.
15. Mayfair Playground
Mayfair – Malibou Rd & Medford Pl. SW
Located in a quiet neighborhood park, this playground has an attractive house/camper preschool climber, a baby swing and a saucer swing, bouncers and accessible flooring throughout.
16. Shouldice Park Playground
Shouldice Park – 4900 Monserrat Dr. N.W.
This playground is a great playground for toddlers. And pretty much everyone else. It is one of the most inclusive playgrounds in the city will be a hit with kids of all ages and abilities.
Toddlers will love the extensive ramp system, ground level musical features, toddler climber, accessible flooring and more! This playground has quickly become very popular and is larger than most on this list – some families may prefer a quieter park.
17. Nellie Breen Park Playground
Inglewood – 14th St and St. Monica Ave SE
Not everyone is going to agree with this park being on the list. The school-aged climber has steps up and is quite tall making it easy for toddlers to get up higher than your comfort level.
The rest of the equipment can all be used by toddlers in their own way – they can bounce with you on the bouncer, swing on the saucer swing, sit on the big spinners while you spin them and go over and under the lower ropes on the spider web climber.
The flooring is an outdoor carpet making it easier on the knees and hands of crawlers and early walkers. The shade in this park is excellent.
18. Bridgeland Community Centre Playground
Bridgeland – 9th St and Centre Ave NE.
Toddlers will love being spun on the large Apollo spinner, swinging on the saucer swings and running up and down the ramps. There are some nearby trees for shade and accessible flooring throughout.
19. Valleyview Park Playground
Dover- 28 St and 30 Ave SE
This playground is located beside the Valleyview spray park inside a fenced area. There is accessible flooring, and none of the equipment gets too high. There are bouncers and low slides as well as climbing equipment aimed at younger children.
20. Blakiston Park Playground
Brentwood – 3023 Blakiston Dr NW
This park features accessible flooring throughout, nice large trees and a section specifically designed for toddlers in mind.
21. Mills Park Playground
Inglewood – 9 Avenue and 14 Street S.E.
This natural playground takes design inspiration from old ranch properties. Unlike most of the playgrounds, there is a lot of loose material including engineered wood and sand.
That being said, toddlers will love the sand pit, log climber with a double slide and ground level musical features. If you have more than one kid you need to keep in visual contact at all times, this playground may be challenging as it is difficult to see behind the log wall.
What your toddler’s favorite playground? Do you know of a playground that should be on this list?