Bugtopia is the Calgary Zoo’s newest playground. It is an immersive, nature inspired play experience designed for kids 2-12 years old.
Note: Bugtopia is inside the Calgary Zoo perimeter. Regular admission is required to visit.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4275-700x525.jpg)
Location: Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB
Follow the signs for the playground inside the Canadian Wilds.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4277-700x525.jpg)
Gordie’s Review (11 years old): “It was really good and immersive. But I wouldn’t recommend the tube slides for taller kids. They hurt my elbows.”
Nicky’s Review (9 years old): “I really liked it. I like how they made different kinds of bridges to different slides.”
Robbie’s Review (6 years old): “A million thumbs up!”
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4280-700x525.jpg)
Age Range: The playground is limited to kids 2-12. Some equipment is suggested for kids 5-12 including the large slide. They have colored leaves to help know which equipment is suggested for which age range.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4281-413x550.jpg)
Ground Cover: playground wood chips. These should allow access for strollers and wheelchairs unlike pea gravel, however, they may not be as easy to maneuver around as other accessible flooring.
Shade: There are large trees nearby so you can find some shade.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4285-413x550.jpg)
Accessibility: There are pathways and some features that can be accessed from ground level including panels and a 4 seated spinner with back support. There is also a roller slide on the one of the small climbers and a roller table.
Seating: There is seating at various spots around the playground and washrooms.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4289-700x525.jpg)
Overall assessment:
This was our first visit to the Calgary Zoo’s Bugtopia playground. I had seen a few pictures but underestimated just how big it was.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4290-700x525.jpg)
The bug theme of the playground is carried throughout and really makes the play space feel special and unique.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4294-700x525.jpg)
Not only does the playground look good, it has great play value too.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4296-700x525.jpg)
It has some smaller climbers and ground level features for younger kids but still held the interest of my older kids as well.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4300-413x550.jpg)
I have been told that the two twisty slides go pretty fast and aren’t recommended for kids under 5 and my oldest found them too be uncomfortable to go down. For kids in the 6-10 age range, they were a big hit.
![](https://calgaryplaygroundreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IMG_4302-413x550.jpg)
I think Bugtopia is a great new addition to the zoo and will definitely bring more traffic to the Canadian Wilds area of the zoo.