I am sharing my kids' favorite 20 best playgrounds in Washington DC, organized by location below.
- Northwest (12)
- Northeast (5)
- Southwest (2)
- Southeast (1)
- Google Map
Notes: DPR maintains over 100 playgrounds in the District which you can view here. Many have great⛲️ DC Splash Pads here.
At the playgrounds where there are no restrooms, I link to a couple of car travel pottys that we use and highly recommend from Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you.
Northwest – Best Playgrounds in Washington DC
1) Guy Mason Community Center – Glover Park - My kids' favorite playground in DC!
My kids love this playground! Tons of cool features plus a large free parking lot at the Rec Center.
Unique features: Sandpit for littles and more challenging ropes and climbing features. Also the parking lot borders the Vice President’s residence which is so cool to see as you drive up! (What other playground can say that?!)
🚻 Restrooms are at the rec center but not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4-year-olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger—also, lots of great restaurants and Trader Joes close by.
🅿️ Free parking lot at 3600 Calvert St NW DC.
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates.
Location: 3600 Calvert St NW, Washington, DC 20007
More Info: Guy Mason Community Center
2) Beauvoir Private School DC Playground (Only Open Non-School Days)
Unique, nature-inspired, challenging, terraced, and huge! This playground is a part of the National Cathedral Elementary school.
I found a tiny coin-size sign that said the equipment is from a German company and it certainly feels European! I loved the challenging areas (and the fastest slide my kids have ever been on!!) and also little kid areas.
Favorite part? So hard to say, maybe all the areas for imaginative play (caves, rocks, etc), skiing stone gargoyle, the zip line or hearing all the different languages being spoken ✨
📍- 3500 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016
⏰- On weekends or when school is not in session its open dawn to dusk. When school is in session during the week open to the public When school or camp is in session, the playground is open to the public from 6 p.m. to dusk.
🚻 – No restrooms so plan accordingly!
🅿️ – About 25 parking spots right next to the playground. Also street parking and then a block up a little hill to reach the school.
♿️ – The entrance and all the terraced playgrounds have great ramps. Play structures are not wheelchair accessible.
My Full Review with tons of pictures!
3) Chevy Chase Rec Center - Unique DC Playground
Unique features: The Chevy Chase Rec Center or as my kids now call it, THE TOY PLAYGROUND! There are so many fun bikes, trikes, play kitchens and toys to play with! The splash pad was so much fun and the playground is really large.
🚻 – Clean restrooms with soap!
🅿️ – Street parking but lots of it even on a weekend morning.
♿️ – Wheelchair and stroller accessible park but not the play structures.
🌳- Half shaded even in the morning!
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates.
Location: 5500 41st NW, Washington, DC 20015
More Info: Chevy Chase Rec Center
4) Palisades Rec Center - Potomac Themed Washington DC Playground
Tucked in the neighborhoods of the Palisades, this wonderful Potomac-themed playground is really fun! Huge climbing rock structure for big kids and tons of little kid areas to explore too.
Unique features: Potomac themed with long houses, the Potomac river and a canoe slide!
🚻 Restrooms are at the rec center but not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4 year olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger.
🅿️ Free parking lot!
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates.
Location: 5200 Sherier Pl NW, Washington, DC 20016
More Information: Palisades
5) Macomb Rec Center – Cathedral Heights - Sand Pit Playground in DC
I recommend this playground to many as its one of my personal favorite playgrounds in DC! It isn’t too busy with a separated big kid and little kid fenced areas, beautiful trees over the picnic area, and a huge baseball field. It has a great neighborhood vibe.
Unique features: Super tall slides for big kids, merry-go-round and swings for little kids. Love that they are separated by fences which I’ve only seen at Takoma and here. Also there is a unique “conveyer belt” feature that my kids loved!!
🚻 Restrooms are at the rec center but not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4-year-olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger.
🅿️ Only neighborhood street parking is available. We parked closer to the Cathedral for a 2 for 1 visit!
Location: 3409 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20016
More Info: Macomb
6) Takoma Playground - 2 Fenced in DC Playgrounds in 1 for Toddlers and Elementary
Big kids area with a triple slide!
My kids LOVE this playground! Nature woodland themed with a skateboarding area, fenced off big kids and little kids areas and TONS to do!
Unique features: 4 person (or 5!) sea saw, huge playhouse, triple slide great for races PLUS you can watch the metro 🚇 zoom by!
🚻 Restrooms are at DC Parks are not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4 year olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger.
🅿️ Free street parking was easy to find on a weekday afternoon.
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates.
Location: 301 Van Buren St NW, Washington, DC 20012
More Info: Takoma Park Playground
7) Kennedy Recreation Center – Shaw, Northwest
Huge, fenced playground area with multiple slides, obstacle courses, separate toddler play area, swings and some shade in the afternoon.
Unique features: Rainbow upside down see-saw!
🚻 Restrooms inside the center but closed Sundays.
🅿️ We walked from the DC Alley Museum but small parking lot at the Rec Center off P St.
Location: 1401 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
8) Turtle Park Playground - Northwest Washington DC
Turtle Park is a gem of a neighborhood playground and is just a short walk from the Spring Valley shops and restaurants on Massachusetts Avenue, including Millie's, Compass Coffee, and Bluestone Lane.
📍- 45th St NW & Van Ness St NW, Washington, DC 20016
🚻 - Usually clean and conveniently located in the Rec Center building (exterior door is right across from the little kids' playground)
🅿️ - Street parking, but there are usually spots on 45th St NW if Van Ness is full
♿️ - Wheelchair and stroller accessible park but not the play structures
⛲️ - Splash pad!
More pictures and info at the DC with Kids Database entry.
9) Stead Park – Downtown
Great park to check out with your kids if you are downtown! 6 blocks north of the White House with a medium-sized playground, basketball court and huge soccer field.
Unique features: 2 different climbing walls for little and big kids and a standard playground.
🚻 Restrooms are at DC Parks are not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4-year-olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger.
🅿️ Metered street parking only.
Location: 1625 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
10) Lafayette-Pointer Park Playground - Chevy Chase, Washington DC
Tucked behind Lafayette Elementary School in the Upper Chevy Chase neighborhood of DC is this truly wonderful park and playground. We loved the fully-fenced little kids area that had swings, slides, and a fun play house with several toy kitchens. Just outside the fence is a small splash pad and more swings. But the star of this playground is the array of awesome climbing structures — for little and big kids alike. If you have a climber, this is the park for you!
There are shady areas and space to spread out even on a busy day, and the playground is surrounded by a large park with paved walking trails and plenty of picnic tables. The grounds of the Lafayette-Pointer Rec Center also have tennis and basketball courts.
📍- 5900 33rd Street NW, Quesada Street NW, Washington, DC 20015
🚻 - Restrooms are in the Rec Center through the exterior door facing 33rd St (farthest from the playground). They were clean, but there was no changing table inside. There's also a porter potty next to the basketball courts. Rec Center hours are 12 pm - 8 pm M-F, closed on Sa and Su.
🅿️ - Street parking is available on Quesada St, 33rd St, or Broad Branch (in front of the elementary school). If you're navigating to the playground, don't follow the directions down the alley behind Quesada St; it is the closest spot to the playground but there's no public parking in the alley.
♿️ - Wheelchair and stroller-accessible park. One of the play structures is an accessible "Sway Fun" spot.
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates
More details from our family's visit here.
11) Georgetown Day School Playground (Northwest DC)
A hidden gem with top-tier playground equipment, offering a mix of fun for all ages!
This school’s playground is open outside of school hours and features multiple play structures, a climbing net, slides, and open green space. It’s a fantastic spot if you’re looking for a clean, modern, and safe environment for kids.
Favorite part? The unique rope-based climbing structures and balance obstacles keep kids engaged and challenged!
📍 4200 Davenport St NW, Washington, DC 20016
⏰ Open to the public on weekends and after 6 p.m. on school days. Their website is here.
🚻 No public restrooms.
🅿️ Limited street parking available nearby.
♿️ Some accessible pathways, but climbing structures are not wheelchair-friendly.
12) Hardy Recreation Center - Amazing Playground in DC Northwest
A local favorite that’s great for all ages, with plenty of space to run, climb, and explore!
Hardy Rec Center’s playground features traditional play structures, swings, and a basketball court. The nearby green space makes it ideal for families who want to mix structured play with open-ended fun.
Favorite part? The big spider-web climbing structure and the shaded picnic tables!
📍 4500 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20007
⏰ Open daily, dawn to dusk.
🚻 Restrooms are available inside the rec center.
🅿️ Small parking lot and ample street parking.
♿️ Accessible ramps, but climbing structures are not wheelchair-friendly.
More pictures from my family's visit to Hardy Rec Center here.
Northeast DC Playgrounds
13) Turkey Thicket Recreation Center – Brookland
When I first published this list, I had multiple people tell me we had to visit Turkey Thicket and I am so glad they told me! This was such a fun neighborhood park with tons of structures, a great theme and some big shady trees for snack time. Bonus: just down the street from the Franciscan Monastery for a fun morning out!
Unique features: Train structure with lots of more challenging climbing features like a hill to get to the slide, in and outside of the train and a cool hill area with artificial grass. Splash ground should open after Memorial day.
🚻 Need to confirm restrooms are open in the recreation center.
🅿️ Large parking lot in front of center!
Location: 1100 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017
⛲️ Splash pad! Check DCPR website for hours and opening dates.
More details from our visit here.
14) RFK Stadium – The Fields Sports Playgrounds in Washington DC
The Fields Playground at RFK Stadium has been on my bucket list for a while now and it lived up to the hype! Located near soccer fields along the Anacostia River, all 3 of us loved this playground! The toddler area is off to the side of the bigger kids area which is great for multiple-age kiddos.
Unique features: Orb Merry Go Round was so cool! Hammock thing that we later learned from a very talented preteen, is meant for practicing surfing 🏄♀️ ! Tons of climbing structures and hills.
🚻 Restrooms are open!
🅿️ Tons of free parking spots in Lots 6 and 7.
Location: 401 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
More hereand also check out the Kingman and Heritage Islands nearby!
15) Rosedale Rec Center Playground Replicas of DC Monuments!
Mini White House!
One of the most unique playgrounds in DC with a mini version of the National Mall including the Capitol, White House, MLK monument, Hirshhorn, Air and Space and Natural History museum. They also have a cool musical instruments space that actually worked! And a huge picnic pavilion.
Please note: I spotted some unsavory drawings on the mini Lincoln monument…kids didn’t notice just a heads up!)
🚻 Restrooms are at DC Parks are not open yet to the public. We use this car potty for my 8 and 4 year olds and loved this toddler car potty when they were younger.
🅿️ Found lots of street parking (free 2 hour) even on a Saturday afternoon.♿️ Playground is accessible with wide lanes and ramps!
Location: 1701 Gales St NE, DC
Air and Space Slide!
16) Fort Lincoln Park (Non-Traditional DC Playground but still so much fun!)
Kids loved climbing on this pyramid!
Fort Lincoln Park is fantastic and a bit of a non traditional “playground.” I’m including it here because there is so much to explore, especially from ages 3 and up.
🚻 1 portable restroom in the fort (2 restrooms by the tennis courts but locked)
🅿️ Free lot put plug in Theodore Hagans Cultural Center into maps for the parking lot. Once you park, go up the stairs behind the bathrooms to find the fort! Cultural Center is at: 3201 Fort Lincoln Dr NE, Washington, DC 20018
Location: 3201 Fort Lincoln Dr NE, Washington, DC 20018
Wikipedia page on Fort Lincoln’s history and more info from our visit here.
17) Alethia Tanner Park Playground (Northeast DC)
A beautiful, modern playground with a fresh urban design in a green space!
This newer playground has climbing walls, rope bridges and natural material climbing structures. Plus, there’s a dog park nearby!
Favorite part? The playground is right next to a large green space to play and safe bike trails for kids to practice riding a bike!
📍 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, DC 20002
⏰ Open daily, dawn to dusk.
🚻 Restrooms available near the playground near the bandstand
🅿️ Street parking is available, but it can fill up quickly.
♿️ Ramps make most of the playground accessible, though some climbing features are not.
More on Alethia Tanner Park from our visit here.
Southeast Washington DC Playgrounds
18) Pirate Ship Playground at DC's Anacostia River Park
The Pirate Ship Playground just across the river is a great, unique spot! It’s located in Anacostia Park SE right off 295, easy to stop by on your way into Maryland or DC.
Unique features: My kids loved playing on top and inside this super cool pirate ship! I loved the views of the river and an outdoor fitness station with 18 machines for adults to use while their kids play. The only downside is that since its only 1 play structure, we left a little earlier than our normal play time when the pirate ship got busy.
🚻 Bathrooms right next to playground (although I didn’t try them so cannot vouch for cleanliness!)
🅿️ Free parking lot! Type in “Pirate Ship Playground at Anacostia Park” into google maps to find the right parking lot. Don’t just go to Anacostia Park. There is no street address but the parking lot is off Nicholson Street SE.
Google Maps Link to Playground here.
National Park Service Website for Anacostia Park Pirate Ship Playground and more from our visit here.
19) Eastern Market Playground (Southeast DC – 9th & Pennsylvania Ave SE)
A small but vibrant neighborhood playground in the heart of Capitol Hill!
This playground has a great mix of slides, climbing structures, and swings, making it a favorite for young kids. It’s conveniently located near Eastern Market, so it’s easy to pair with a family outing.
Favorite part? The tall tube slides and climbing features.
📍 9th & Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
⏰ Open daily, dawn to dusk.
🚻 No public restrooms at the playground, but Eastern Market has facilities nearby.
🅿️ Street parking is available but limited.
♿️ The play area has accessible pathways, though play structures are not fully wheelchair-friendly.
Read more about my sons' visit here and Eastern Market here.
Southwest DC Playground
20) Hains Point – East Potomac Park
If you are looking for a playground with wide-open spaces, easy parking, restrooms and 2 playgrounds… check out Hains Point! It is located on East Potomac Park and is perfect for an outing with playground plus climbing trees, watching planes and going for a walk or bike ride.
Unique features:
🚻 Restrooms are open in the brick building behind the playgrounds.
🅿️ We drove all the way to the southern point of the park and parked in front of the 2 playgrounds near restroom #2. There were dozens of free parking spots available.
♿ Paths are paved and 2 lane one-way roads around the 3ish miles so would be great for strollers or wheelchairs.
Location: Just type in Hains Point into your maps.
Map of the Best Playgrounds in DC:
Playground Gear We Love:
- Favorite Sun Hat we’ve used for 6 years! (Originally from REI but found it on Amazon) 2,700, 5-star reviews with UPF 50 and Smart Strap.
- We've loved this travel potty for both my kids. You can use a grocery plastic bag or two instead of buying the expensive liners.
- Tick Remover - always
- Good idea to have a sand bucket and shovel in the car for the playgrounds that have sand pits (and this one has a great carrying case)
- My favorite kid's sunscreen is ThinkSport 50 UPF. It is rated #2 on the EWG independent testing score.
More Lists of Virginia, Maryland and DC Playgrounds
- Splash Pads in DC
- Best Northern Virginia Playgrounds – 45 and counting in Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax!
- Best Maryland Playgrounds – 10 playgrounds and counting in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
- 24 Hours in DC for Tourists or Visiting Family and Friends!
Full List of Playgrounds in Washington DC
- Guy Mason Community Center – Glover Park - Northwest
- Beauvoir Playground (Only Open Non-School Days) - Northwest
- Chevy Chase Recreation Center - Northwest
- Palisades Recreation Center - Northwest
- Macomb Recreation Center – Cathedral Heights - Northwest
- Takoma Playground - Northwest
- Kennedy Recreation Center – Shaw - Northwest
- Turtle Park Playground - Northwest
- Stead Park - Northwest
- Lafayette Recreation Center - Northwest
- Georgetown Day School (only on non-school days) - Northwest
- Hardy Rec Center - Northwest
- Turkey Thicket Recreation Center - Northeast
- RFK Stadium The Fields - Northeast
- Rosedale Rece Center - Northeast
- Fort Lincoln - Northeast
- Aletheia Tanner Park - Northeast
- Pirate Ship Playground - Anacostia River Park -Southeast
- Eastern Market Playground at 9th and Penn - Southeast
- East Potomac Park Playground at Hains Point - Southwest
2 More Links to Check out
- Full DMV playground category list here!
- All the amazing Parks DMV in our area too!
