The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Vancouver
We’ve spent the better part of this year so far visiting all the best playgrounds in Vancouver, not just for Rowan but our own sanity as parents. Sometimes you need to change up your scenery and give your kid new challenges and experiences.
Within the Vancouver Park Board’s system, there are around 160 playgrounds, and many of them have undergone work, and are now seemingly new and improved. I’m sharing our current favourites to visit, so if I have missed any you enjoy, please share below in the comments! We haven’t gotten to every playground as of yet, this will be an ongoing, updated list.
Please note, these are not in any order from best to worse. Just a random compiled list 🙂 Check out my other Vancouver guides, like what to do this summer with kids!
Best Playgrounds in Vancouver Worth Visiting
1. Charleson Park
Where: 999 Charleson Street
What: This playground has a pirate ship — I think that’s all I have to say. The playground recently saw its renovations completed in the last year. Some of the new features include accessible rubber play surfacing, in-ground trampolines, swing sets, and an embankment slide. Be warned, the slide can be quick, best to go down with the little ones!
We also like this park because you can go for a nice walk along that side of the seawall, always a coffee cart nearby and the dog park is just on the other side for extra entertainment.
2. Creekside Park
Where: 1455 Quebec Street (beside Science World)
What: They have a zip line! The first thing we noticed about this park because a kid just zoomed right past us. The playground also has swings, a giant climbing tower, a rubber surface, a play hut, and a slide of course. It’s conveniently right beside the bike lane and false creek seawall. And for anyone driving to, there is a large paid parking lot right behind it also for Science World.
3. Douglas Park
Where: 801 W 22nd Avenue (at Heather Street)
What: Douglas Park’s playground is pretty damn cool! It has swings, slides, and a sand play area but it also has this gigantic treehouse! You can access it via rope, climbing wall, or ladders, has a swing bridge in the middle and the playground is home to a zipline and in-ground trampolines.
4. China Creek North
Where: 1001 E 7th Avenue
What: China Creek North has a climbing wall, a large slide, a small playground for 2-5-year-olds, exercise equipment (for anyone needed to fit that in while your kid is playing), and a hidden track loop for your kids! Bonus is that the nearby BC SPCA walks the dogs in the park, so you might be able to say hi to some new furry friends!
5. Stanley Park
Where: Ceperly Park Near Second Beach or the Rose Gardens
What: There are two playgrounds near Second Beach and a playground behind the rose garden. They are not new playgrounds, I do hope they replace them soon, but they do offer fun for the kids. The ones near Second Beach are steps away from the public pool, picnic areas, and a concession stand.
Which ones do you frequent? I think Trout Lake is next on our list and maybe a trip to Terra Nova soon!
