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The best playgrounds for blue-sky days
Parents, grandparents and caregivers spend a lot of time at playgrounds in the Seattle area, pushing kids on swings, digging along in sandboxes and — if we’re lucky — perhaps relaxing on benches nearby. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a gorgeous view to enjoy while spending time at the park? On the next no-cloud-in-the-sky day, check out one of these fantastic, lesser-known playgrounds for views of Puget Sound, Lake Washington and the mountains.
- Dockton Park, Vashon Island
- Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline
- Ella Bailey Park, Magnolia
- Enatai Beach Park, Bellevue
- Westcrest Park, West Seattle
- Groveland Beach, Mercer Island
- Be’er Sheva Park, Rainier Beach
- Redondo Beach and Pier, Des Moines
- Ward Springs Park, Queen Anne
More Seattle-area playgrounds for families to explore:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and was most recently updated on July 1, 2025, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check.
Dockton Park, Vashon Island
Hop aboard a ferry and play all day at this nautical-themed beachside playground. Dockton Park’s playground structure is tucked into the hill behind the beachfront and is reminiscent of a pirate ship, complete with a Jolly Roger flag. If you’ve got a climber, this playground is for them! The entire structure is designed for climbing challenges, from multiple rope ladders that often extend overhead to a short climbing wall. Several slides and stairs allow easy access either up to or down the ship’s connecting decks. Bonus: Kids can enjoy going on a scavenger hunt. There is a colorful sign encouraging children to search the structure for images such as a carrot or a clock.
Location: Dockton Park and Marina is located at 9500 S.W. Dock St., Vashon, on Maury Island. It’s roughly a 22-minute drive from the Vashon Ferry dock. The park is also accessible via the Southworth or Point Defiance ferries.
Also nearby: The Sandpiper Cafe makes for a great post-play lunch.
Up next: Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline
Kayu Kayu Ac Park, Shoreline
A quiet neighborhood spot, Kayu Kayu Ac Park opened in 2009 and is the Shoreline community’s secret view playground. Kids love the climbing structure with tube tunnel, rings and multiple slides. Parents can push their kids on the swings while looking out at clear views of Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains. A cute wooden lookout is wheelchair-accessible and signs inside present the history of the railroad just in front of you. For a shady picnic, lay out a blanket on the grass under the line of trees.
Location: 19911 Richmond Beach Dr. N.W., Shoreline. Free parking is available in the small lot. Buses stop at Northwest 196th Street and 26th Avenue Northwest.
Also nearby: Due to the railroad tracks, there’s no beach access at Kayu Kayu Ac Park. To get to the water, check out Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, 1 mile south.
Up next: Ella Bailey Park, Magnolia
Ella Bailey Park, Magnolia
Excellent, accessible Ella Bailey Park is hugely popular with families around Magnolia. The heart-stopping views of Mount Rainier on a clear day are unparalleled, and adults will have no problem lingering here while kids play. The playground has separate structures for older and younger kids, with dozens of climbing challenges and attractions. A bonus at this park is the flat, paved path circling the park that is perfect for kids to bike on while parents stroll and enjoy the view.
Location: 2601 W. Smith St., Magnolia. Free parking is available on adjacent residential streets. Buses stop at 28th Avenue West and West Smith Street; and at West McGraw Street and 32nd Avenue West.
Also nearby: At nearby Magnolia Playfield, find Pop Mounger Pool (a seasonal outdoor swimming pool), a playground and ballfields, just a third of a mile to the west, up and over the hill.
Up next: Enatai Beach Park, Bellevue
Enatai Beach Park, Bellevue
Don’t let its location almost underneath I-90 deter you. Enatai Beach Park has some of the best views on Lake Washington and is a great, kid-friendly park. Stop first on the upper level with its huge lawn of perfectly mowed grass and two brightly colored play structures. Then take the steps down to the sandy beach and dock. Kids can swim, dig in the sand and watch kayakers launch from this popular spot while adults take in views of the lake and Mercer Island across the water.
Location: 3519 108th Ave. S.E., Bellevue. Free parking is available in the lot. Buses stop on 106th Avenue Southeast near the park.
Also nearby: Chism Beach Park, also on Lake Washington with a playground and sandy swimming beach, is 2 miles north.
Up next: Westcrest Park, West Seattle
Westcrest Park, West Seattle
Wonderful Westcrest Park in West Seattle was expanded in 2015 and now has even more kid-friendly features. Bring bikes for kids to ride loops on the paved path that circles the upper section of the park. Parents and caregivers can walk and look across at Beacon Hill and the Cascade Mountains or at shining Mount Baker in the distance. The playground has play structures, two zip lines, a net climber and a spinning net. Don’t miss the two slides that plummet down the hillside. Miles of easy hiking trails crisscross the forest at the south end of the park.
Location: 9000 8th Ave. S.W., West Seattle. Free parking is available in three separate parking lots. For the playground, enter at Eighth Avenue Southwest and Southwest Cloverdale Street. Buses stop on Ninth Avenue Southwest near the park.
Also nearby: Highland Park Playground has a seasonal spray park and sits a quarter-mile to the west. Roxhill Park, just a little over a mile to the west, entices kids with a super-fun castle-themed play structure.
Up next: Groveland Beach, Mercer Island
Groveland Beach, Mercer Island
It’s a steep descent from the parking lot to find the hidden park called Groveland Beach. First, you’ll come to the playground, a plastic structure with slides, a climbing wall and musical instruments. Continue down the path to the beach, where a wide lawn with a small strip of sand waits for digging. A bonus on a hot summer day: This beachfront is almost entirely shaded in the morning. With its western position on the island, the beach has excellent views across Lake Washington to forested Seward Park.
Location: 7740 S.E. 58th St, Mercer Island. Free parking is available in the lot. Buses stop on West Mercer Way a couple of blocks from the park entrance.
Also nearby: Island Crest Park and its excellent Deane’s Children’s Park playground are 2 miles away in the center of Mercer Island.
Up next: Be’er Sheva Park, Rainier Beach
Be’er Sheva Park, Rainier Beach
Take in Lake Washington views and glimpses of Mercer Island and the Cascade Mountains from waterfront Be’er Sheva Park in South Seattle. It’s perfect for family picnicking, with tables and barbecues throughout the park and within sight of the large playground. Kids can play on the two climbing structures that have blue curving slides, ladders and tunnels. Little tots will like the spinning and springy toys as well as the sandbox. There’s no lifeguarded swimming here, but cross the bridge that goes over Mapes Creek to reach the waterfront, where you can look for ducks and watch boats being launched.
Editor’s note: The play area at the park will be renovated later this year. Watch the city’s project page for updates.
Location: 8650 55th Ave. S., Rainier Beach. Parking is limited, but available on residential streets and in the Atlantic City Boat Ramp parking lot next door. Buses stop just outside the park on South Henderson Street and on Seward Park Avenue South.
Also nearby: For a lifeguarded swimming beach, try Pritchard Island Beach, a quarter of a mile to the north.
Up next: Redondo Beach and Pier, Des Moines
Redondo Beach and Pier, Des Moines
The long curving beach at Redondo Beach Park offers hours of digging and exploring fun for kids, while adults take in views of Puget Sound, Vashon Island and the Olympic Mountains. The aging fishing pier has closed, though there are plans to reconstruct it. An adjacent small aquarium, operated by Highline College, is free and open to the public on Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: 28225 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines. Free parking is available on nearby streets. There is a paid parking lot off Redondo Way South.
Also nearby: Cross Redondo Beach Drive South to find Wooton Park, hidden just steps away up the hill. Here, kids can play on the colorful plastic play structure with four slides and a tunnel. You can also take advantage of the barbecue grills and picnic tables.
Up next: Ward Springs Park, Queen Anne
Ward Springs Park, Queen Anne
Much less well-known than Queen Anne’s famous Kerry Park, pocket-size Ward Springs Park affords great city views and is a blast for kids. A wooden play structure looks like a fort and has lots of spots for climbing and sliding. Kids will also get a kick out of the tire swing and sandbox, while parents or grandparents can sit on benches and gaze at the Space Needle and city skyline. A gently sloped lawn is perfect for a picnic lunch.
Editor’s note: A renovation of the play area at Ward Springs Park is planned, with construction starting later this summer.
Location: 925 Fourth Ave. N., Queen Anne. Free parking is available on residential streets nearby. Buses stop at Taylor Avenue North and North Prospect Street.
Also nearby: Bhy Kracke Park, three blocks to the north, has equally amazing views from its upper section and a small playground in the lower area.
