Discover slides, swings, and pirate ships at the best local playgrounds for families.
Frisco Commons Park
Also known as Hope Park, this is a hidden gem offering an extensive playground system, a large waterfront amphitheater, a stocked fishing pond and picnic area. It’s a great place to go fishing, fly a kite, or stargazing at night. There’s also Picnic Alley, located within the two playgrounds.
8000 McKinney Rd., Frisco
Kids Kingdom
Kids Kingdom is basically a kid’s paradise. Features include a huge sandpit with plastic fossils, extensive castle-shaped playgrounds for both older and younger kids, a splash pad, and even a zipline. The only downside is how hard it’ll be to get the kids back home.
5300 Main St., Rowlett
Allen Station Park
The beloved Allen Station Park gets its name from the unique stone dam built in 1874 and old railroad water station located on its grounds. It also features a concrete skate park and BMX track, as well as wakeboarding, and a lovely playground.
1120 N Cedar Dr, Allen
Celebration Park
With picnic tables, barbecue grills, an extensive kidMania community-built playground and adjoining sprayground, Celebration Park’s name really speaks for itself. Plus, there are soccer fields, hiking and biking trails and a basketball court to help you get those endorphins flowing.
701 Angel Pkwy., Allen
Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex
One of the largest playgrounds in McKinney, Al Ruschhaupt is also one of the most accessible. It also sits comfortably in the shade of large trees. Kids can also cool off on the splash pads that form a little water tunnel kids can run through.
2701 Northbrook Dr., McKinney
Treehouse Play Area
Watters Creek is home to a beautiful treehouse play area, where kids can clamber near the canopy, right next to a duck pond. There’s even a little free library cut into the trunk of one of the trees.
970 Garden Park Dr., Allen
Liberty Park
While Liberty Recreation Center is currently closed for renovations, their outdoor park area is still available for parents to bring children to play. Plans are also underway for a new outdoor fitness area with lighter hand weights and more child-friendly equipment. It has a huge tank too.
2601 Glencliff Dr., Plano
Spirit Park
New to Allen, this 75-acre community park has 25 untouched acres of land, as well as a lighted adult softball complex, looped pedestrian trail, public art and a playground called The Hideout, with distinctive blue and red slides, wood panels and climbing nets.
1151 Ridgeview Dr., Allen
Read more: The wilds of Caddo Lake
The Village Depot
The Village Depot was built for toddlers and preschoolers, with only one way in and out. The area is stocked with cute little play houses, a Texas-shaped maze, and a train caboose. Take note that it’s inside a shopping area.
190 Stacy Rd., Allen
Mary Head Carter Park
A beautiful local park, Mary Head Carter Park feature a sizable synthetic astroturf playground under large, shady umbrellas, as well as a covered picnic spot. On weekends and holidays Mary Heads Carter Park attracts families from all over the metroplex.
2320 Heads Ln., Carrollton
Waterford Park
With signature blue slides and narrow domed peak, the playground at Waterford Park is a play version of a rocket ship. Future astronauts can explore the play structures and even discover a stray Martian here and there.
1305 Comanche Dr., Allen
Founders Park
Founders Park in Wylie has vast, grassy soccer fields as well as an imaginative pirate ship playground with a skull and crossbones, painted anchors and other seafaring decor. There’s also a little toddler area for the little ones.
851 Hensley Ln., Wylie
Frontier Park
A windmill-themed playground in Prosper, Frontier Park is full of playhouses, ladders, a ropes course and more. The park is almost 80 acres, with a half-mile trail and splashpad. The playground even has lovely murals, and a picturesque bridge over a pond.
1551 Frontier Pkwy., Prosper
The Power of Play
Kids need time to play. It’s undeniable; it’s why schools have recess and why most preschools emphasize unstructured playtime. No amount of Super Mario Bros. can truly replace imaginative games of Hide and Seek and Freeze Tag. Play is key to childhood development in general: physical development in addition to social, emotional and intellectual development. Playgrounds provide safe worlds where kids can experiment and learn about the world around them, whether it’s in a kid-sized firetruck, or a tree house. Besides, nothing encourages teamwork and communication like Capture the Flag. An awesome playground can be its own kind of classroom, where kids practice problem-solving while they enjoy time in the sun, and make friends.
Read more: Crystal Lagoons amenity to open at Windsong Ranch in Prosper
Splash Parks and Pads
FRONTIER PARK
1551 Frontier Pkwy., Prosper
KIDS KINGDOM
5300 Main St., Rowlett
CELEBRATION PARK
701 Angel Pwky., Allen
W.J. THOMAS SPLASH PARK
1955 N. Perry Rd., Carrollton
OAK HILLS SPLASH PARK
1225 Royal Palm Ln., Carrollton
FOUNTAIN COURT
329 Town Pl., Fairview
FRISCO COMMONS PARK
8000 McKinney Dr., Frisco
J.R. NEWMAN SPRAY PARK
8211 Twin Falls Dr., Frisco
INSPIRATION PARK
4212 Shawnee Dr., McKinney
Originally published as part of Local Profile's June 2019 Great Outdoors Guide