Not all playgrounds prove great for toddlers and preschoolers. Some have dangerous platforms they can fall from, while others are located too close to a busy road where cars drive too fast. Yikes!

Here are my top five favorite playgrounds in Austin for toddlers and preschoolers.

Alliance Children’s Garden

1000 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX  78704

Located in the Butler District Park just south of Lady Bird Lake with a beautiful view of downtown Austin, this 2-acre playground features several play areas like the sand pit, the grass mounds with tunnels and the large rope climbing structure. The slides also prove an appealing attraction for little ones and are under shade cover. Parents will enjoy the swinging benches along the paved pathway and watch out for the giant ant sculptures. Usually, people of all ages and backgrounds frequent this playground. Don’t miss the pond with turtles nearby and the refreshing Liz Carpenter splash pad, which has lovely lights at night.

 

Little Stacy Neighborhood Park

1500 Alameda Drive, Austin, TX  78704

Wonderful playground for toddlers, almost completely hidden in shade. Little ones love the long slide built into the side of the hill. With a climbing structure for toddlers and another for the bigger kids, plus very close basketball and tennis courts, everyone in the family will be entertained. The best part about this playground is the wading pool under the giant oak tree, though it hasn’t been open since before the pandemic.

 

Play for All Abilities Park

141 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock, TX  78664

An impressive 51,000 square feet of outdoor fun, this handicap-accessible playground boasts more play areas than anyone could ever expect in a public park. Tulsa’s Gathering Place is only thing that comes close but that’s a park for another post. Play for All has a covered sand pit, several different climbing structures, tunnels, zip lines, swings, slides, seesaws, merry-go-rounds, a musical section and more! Don’t forget to bring your ride-on toys for the race track and pretend town with interactive features. This playground was built to accommodate special-needs kids but is truly wonderful for everyone.

Kingsbury Commons in Pease Park

1100 Kingsbury Street, Austin, TX  78703

Newly renovated playground and facilities in Pease Park offer a lovely place to play for kids and adults. Kids will enjoy lots of swings, a massive log climbing structure, a climbing fort for toddlers and a delightful splash pad that’s open earlier and later than other city splash pads. Everyone will love going inside the unique treehouse orb and relaxing on the stretchy inside floor surrounded by a glorious natural environment.

 

Katherine Fleischer Park

2106 Klattenhoff Drive, Austin, TX  78728

Kids will love this shaded playground with an awesome climbing structure and swings, but the crown jewel of this park is the giant, wooden playhouse with several stories and nooks, plus small slit windows to look out. Though it’s a tight squeeze, moms and dads might even fit inside. The music features at this playground also garner a lot of attention.

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