Playgrounds in New York

Playgrounds in New York are not only a meeting place for children but especially for their parents and nannies. There’s a wide range of playgrounds in New York City: big, small, hip or casual, for very young kids or for older ones. On this page, I’ll share the most fun and free playgrounds in New York for children ages 0 to 12.

Manhattan Playgrounds

When you’re taking your children to New York, you’re probably wondering if there are any playgrounds in Manhattan. And I can assure you that there are! Your kids can play at playgrounds in Central Park, playgrounds with a view, playgrounds with fountains, and many more.

Central Park Heckscher Playground

There may be many playgrounds in Central Park, but this one has a sandpit, numerous slides, rope courses, and other play equipment, which makes it the biggest and the best. Plus: the location near the Fifth Avenue and Columbus Circle skyscrapers is simply spectacular.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-12
• This playground does have toilets

Bleecker Street Playground

Climbing frames, seesaws and a big sandpit make this a pleasant playground, but it’s definitely the spot to see and to be seen. Plus: the location across from the original Magnolia Bakery is outstanding! Expect crowds during the summer.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-8
• This playground does have toilets

Madison Square Park Playground

Hidden behind Madison Square Park’s tall trees, you’ll find a small playground. With a climbing frame, swings and a 5-meter high water fountain (during summer), it’s the perfect place for a quick lunch outside.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-6

Get lunch from nearby Eataly (before noon to avoid crowds).

Union Square Playground

This is one of the main playgrounds of Manhattan. This one has swings, tunnels, slides, a water fountain and a lot more. The Union Square Greenmarket takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Here you can buy delicious juices and sandwiches when the kids want a break from playing.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-12
• This playground does have toilets

Tom Otterness Playground

This playground has a slide, rocks to climb on and sprinklers. What makes this playground so special though, is the Tom Otterness slide. This artist is very famous in New York – he also created the sculptures at the 14th Street subway station. Here you’ll mostly meet children who live in the surrounding 53-story tower.

• Always open
• Mainly suited for children ages 2-6

Washington Square Park Playgrounds

This park has several playgrounds, and because Washington Square Park isn’t that big, you’ll be able to find them all easily. There’s a huge fountain for the children to play in, a playfield with fake grass for the little ones and one with slides and climbing frames – all newly renovated. Highly recommended!

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-12
• These playgrounds have toilets

South Street Seaport

At this playground, children can play with sand, water and loose ‘bricks’ made out of foam. It encourages them to use their imagination. The most fun playground in Downtown Manhattan is here at South Street Seaport!

• Open from 09:00 until 17:00
• Mainly suited for children aged 6-12, although younger children will enjoy themselves as well

Pier 25 Playground

This playground is located at Pier 25 right next to the Hudson River, so your child can play by the marina with the little boats and enjoy the views of New Jersey and One World Trade Center. The Pier 25 play area has different playgrounds. There is a baby play area, but also a playground for three- to seven-year-olds with climbing frames and a real climbing wall.

In the summer, there are also water activities to do. The special feature of Pier 25 is that there is also a beautiful 18-hole mini-golf course. There is a fee for this, but this includes the materials!

This is the most beautiful playground in TriBeCa, and because of its location, it is also the prettiest for the parents who come along.

• Open at 08:00 until sunset
• Suitable for children of all ages
• This playground has public toilets and food and beverages available

The Battery Playscape

You can find the Battery Playscape in Battery Park. This huge playground has lots of equipment for children to play with, so it’s worth making a detour to visit. It has a sandpit, slides, a climbing wall, and an amphitheatre. Your kids can play here before or after visiting the Statue of Liberty, as the terminal is next to the park. At the Staten Island Terminal, you can also get some lunch to enjoy at the playground, or you can bring your own lunch.

Brooklyn playgrounds

Brooklyn is also home to many playgrounds. Personally, I like the ones on the waterfront best, as you have a nice view of the skyline from here.

Main Street Playground

You can find this nice playground close to Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. With a fun nautical theme, all the climbing frames and the sandpit are in the form of boats. A centrepiece is a boat form with slides, climbing elements, bridges and a huge mast! The Main Street Playground is surrounded by trees and is situated almost under the Manhattan Bridge.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-10

Pier 1 Playground

This Brooklyn playground is located at the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront. Even though it’s small, the view is amazing. Note: the playground itself is meant for the younger ones, but in the rest of the park, there’s plenty to do for older children.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children aged 0-4

Older children might be up for crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Domino Park Playground

The Domino Park Playground is located in Domino Park, where you can enjoy the view of the Manhattan skyline. At the playground, kids can go down one of the slides or play volleyball on the field. It’s a dynamic place as well; there are always elements that are changing to keep it fun for everyone. It is easy to see your kids playing.

• Open from dawn till dusk
• Mainly suited for children ages 0-8
• This playground has public toilets, food and beverages available

A family activity in New York

A morning or afternoon spent at a playground in New York isn’t just a treat for the children. The Central Park Playground, for instance, is beautiful with the many skyscrapers in the background. Besides that, it’s a pleasure to watch all of the people, while your child is making friends with one of the boys or girls who live on Park Avenue or wherever. Go and mingle with the locals in a New York playground!

Prestigious Playgrounds

Seeing as Manhattan is full of large and small playgrounds, you will come across quite a few during your stay in New York with children. Some playgrounds, like Bleecker Street Playground, have their own website and receive substantial donations from local residents. These are the more ‘prestigious’ playgrounds; having your child play there makes them one of the cool kids.

It’s all about top-of-the-bill strollers, exclusive designer clothes, and Starbucks Babyccinos (cappuccino with only milk foam). The playground has plenty of toys available for children to play with, as long as you put them back where you found them before leaving.

A Few Tips for New York playgrounds

My own children are now a little too old for the playground, but when they were younger I visited quite a few of the play areas with them. These are some extra tips based on my own experience:

• Taking pictures of other children is definitely not done so don’t do it!
• Smoking and alcohol is strictly prohibited at all playgrounds and parks
• The perfect moment for a playground visit is during lunch. Enjoy a sandwich in the sun, while your children are keeping themselves busy.
• Plan your day carefully – playing is exhausting! In case you have other activities scheduled, don’t stick around the playground for too long.
• A lot of playgrounds have (clean) toilets with a changing table, but not all of them.