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The baseball playground at Shoreview Park is a homerun. Photo: Meredith Charaba
Over the past four years, my daughter and I have visited more playgrounds than I can count. It’s one of our favorite outings, and we pretty much know what to expect. From a brand-new Seattle playground to a random stop along a road trip route, we can feel confident that the playground we’re visiting will have an assortment of slides, swings, climbing structures and spinning features.
But every once in a while, a playground surprises us with a whimsical, imaginative theme. So we cast aside the name of the park and remember it only by its distinctive features — whether it’s the ocean playground, the airplane playground or even the dragon one.
So I’ve rounded up 11 of our favorite themed playgrounds that capture the imagination and are always worth a return visit. Whether your kids are sports enthusiasts, mini farmers, ship captains or astronauts, they’ll love the details (big and small!) at these fantastic playgrounds.
Explore the seas at Pier 58’s waterfront playground
Location: 1401 Alaskan Way, Seattle
Perhaps the most highly anticipated playground of 2025, Pier 58’s waterfront playground does not disappoint. Its location is the first hint to the overall theme: You’ll find it along the Seattle Waterfront, right next to the Seattle Aquarium. A 25-foot jellyfish climber is the star of the show, towering over the playground and stretching its tentacles across it. Kids can climb to the top and brave the 18-foot tube slide to come back down.
Back on the ground, more marine-themed elements await. Little ones can balance on crab-shaped boards, tucked between kelp-like posts. Older kids might want to scramble to the top of the jellyfish’s tentacles, or sway with the ropes on manta ray-shaped seats.
It’s easy to pair a playground romp here with a bit of learning for your budding marine biologist. Metal strips on the pier note the depth of the water underneath, along with the names of sea creatures you might expect to find.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are located on the sidewalk next to the pier, with six all-gender stalls and a restroom attendant.
- Parking: You can park in a Pike Place Market garage and walk over, or find a spot through SpotHero. Taking public transit instead is encouraged, whether on Metro Transit or the Link Light Rail.
Fly high in Hubbard Homestead’s airplane playground
Location: 11203 Fifth Ave. N.E., Seattle
My daughter ran up to this brand-new playground with her arms outstretched, as if she were an airplane landing. Her enthusiasm matched the aeronautical theme.
The park’s airplane structure honors WWII veteran Harry Hubbard, whose family once owned the site. My daughter could hardly wait to take her turn in the pilot’s seat, twisting the control wheel and shouting out her steps for takeoff and landing.
There are more nods to the aeronautical theme throughout the play area, including etched panels with airplane designs. Multiple slides, spinners and even a zip line keep kids busy. The park also has a skate bowl, a basketball court and fitness equipment.
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms at the park, but there is a shopping center across the street with facilities.
- Parking: Street parking is available.
Hit a homerun at Shoreview Park’s baseball playground
Location: 17229 Third Ave. N.W., Shoreline
Head to this baseball-themed playground, where you might just overhear parents giving post-game pep talks or siblings playing during practice. The oversized baseball, bat and mitt are perfect for climbing, and a scoreboard towers over them. There’s more to climb, with a baseball-themed play structure complete with a tunnel, two slides and monkey bars. My daughter spent nearly an hour on the playground before we explored more of the park.
Lucky for us, this park is a two-for-one on themed playgrounds: On the other side of the parking lot (down the stairs or ramp), you’ll find a playground fit for airplane enthusiasts. Rock back and forth on the airplane as it waits on the runway, or spin the steering wheel of the truck carrying “jet fuel.”
- Restrooms: There are restrooms near both playgrounds.
- Parking: There is free parking in the lot by the tennis courts.
Play pirate on the ship at Jetty Landing Park’s playground
Location: 10th Street and West Marine Drive, Everett
Every summer, my family and I look forward to taking the ferry to Jetty Island. But you don’t have to wait for summer to visit this amazing nautical playground by the Everett ferry dock.
Kids will immediately see the sails rising above the deck of the playground’s ship. Climb across the ship, look through the porthole, and slide back down to the sea-colored turf. From the ship’s bow, you can spot a giant Pacific octopus peeking out from the water, along with an orca whale (both of which can be climbed on).
- Restrooms: Restrooms are near the playground.
- Parking: The first two hours of parking are free in the Jetty Island lot; posted rates apply after that.
Beeline to Hidden Valley Park’s nature playground
Location: 1903 112th Ave. N.E., Bellevue
Buzz on over to Bellevue with your little honeybees for a stop at this whimsical playground. Hexagon-shaped climbers in shades of yellow, orange and black will make you feel like you’ve stepped inside a futuristic beehive. From the honeycomb platforms to the flower spinners and a log climber, there are nature-inspired elements throughout the park.
There’s a larger structure for kids 5 and older, and a smaller version for the 2–5 crowd. And in the middle of the play area, you’ll find a few different swings. The turf is bouncy and brightly colored, making it easy and fun to make your way across the play area.
We spent a sunny afternoon here and wished we had packed a picnic to enjoy on the grassy lawn. There’s also a paved path perfect for extra fun on wheels.
- Restrooms: There are restrooms next to the play area.
- Parking: There is a parking lot on one side of the park, a short walk from the playground. If you park in spaces at the Bellwood Office Park, watch for signs indicating spots reserved for businesses.
Climb aboard the train at Veterans’ Memorial Playground
Location: 140 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah
All aboard! Put on your conductor hats and head to this train-themed playground in Depot Park. This is one of our favorite shaded playgrounds to visit on a sunny day, as the surrounding trees keep the play area cool. My daughter quickly made a friend her age and played for an afternoon, taking turns on the slide, making her way to the top of the rope climber, and sitting down for a spell in the brightly colored train.
You can keep the train theme of the day chugging along with a visit to the Issaquah Depot Museum just across the tracks, where you’ll find exhibits that explore the history of the city. The museum is open on weekends and admission is free.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are located across the park, near Veterans’ Memorial Field.
- Parking: There is a parking lot and street parking available. Pay attention to signage, as there may be time restrictions.
Go fishing for fun at Doris Heritage Park’s playground
Location: 10660 Harbor Hill Dr., Gig Harbor
Even the cloudiest of days can be cheered up with the bright blue playground at Doris Heritage Park. Drawing from the area’s maritime history, you’ll find a giant ship, smaller fishing boats, rope climbers and more to explore. There are inclusive elements throughout, including a ground-level merry-go-round. Your seafaring kids can spin, climb and slide to their hearts’ content.
The 2.25-acre park also has several pickleball courts, bocce ball courts and an open lawn. Families can reserve the event stage and shelters with picnic tables.
- Restrooms: The park has a building with restrooms.
- Parking: There is a parking lot with spaces near the playground.
Find a dragon at Deane’s Children’s Park
Location: 5500 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island
Yes, it’s known locally as “Dragon Park,” thanks to a 45-foot-long sculpture complete with a slide and plenty of spots to climb. Kenton’s Dragon rests in the forest, making this an enchanting spot to visit on a sunny day. Adding to the fairytale vibes, one of the park’s playgrounds has a castle. Let the kids defend their kingdoms and go on epic quests (including scaling a climbing wall). Then call them over for a snack break under the covered picnic shelter.
If you have more time to spare, the park has a bike skills area and nature trails. And take note for the future: While Kenton’s Dragon isn’t going anywhere, a playground renovation to make the play area more inclusive and interactive is in the works.
- Restrooms: The park has restrooms near the entrance and parking lot.
- Parking: A small, free parking lot is close to the playground.
Take off for outer space at Kherson Park’s playground
Location: 307 W. Gowe St., Kent
This small park is just shy of a half-acre, but you’ll still feel like you stepped on the moon. Inspired by NASA’s Apollo missions, Kherson Park celebrates space exploration (and the contributions of Boeing employees at the nearby Kent Space Center that made the Apollo missions possible). Step onto the life-size replica of a lunar rover, peek behind an astronaut’s suit for a photo op, and climb inside a lunar lander.
Take playtime up a notch with the Space for Kidz app, which adds augmented reality experiences to the play structures at the park.
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms at the park; plan ahead or stop at a nearby café or shop.
- Parking: Street parking is available.
Play an oversized game of Chutes and Ladders at West Fenwick Park
Location: 3808 S. Reith Rd., Kent
Step onto the colorful playground at West Fenwick Park and challenge the kids to a game similar to Chutes and Ladders. Spin the spinner, start on the green circle and make your way along the rainbow path through the playground. You may slide back spaces or climb forward before you make it to the finish line!
There are more ways to play (and relax) here, including courts for handball, tennis, pickleball and basketball. Plus, there’s a pollinator garden and hillside footpath.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are located by the playground.
- Parking: There is a parking lot adjacent to the playground. Additional parking is available at Trinity Community Church (excluding Sundays) and West Hill Skate Park. Street parking is also available on 38th Avenue South.
Spend a day on the farm playground at Van Lierop Park
Location: 7999–7529 134th Ave. E., Puyallup
Put on your overalls and head down to the farm playground at Van Lierop Park. The bright red barn-inspired play area is impossible to miss, and the overall theme of the playground honors the area’s rich agricultural history. Play farmer on the playground’s tractor or Jeep playsets, swing on a saucer or climb across the bridges. You’ll find engraved panels with more farm details along the way, including cutouts for farmer photo ops.
Keep the farm fun going across the street at Farm 12, a restaurant serving up scratch-made meals that the whole family will love (including weekend brunch!). It’s also a great spot to take a snack and restroom break.
- Restrooms: The park currently has a porta-potty.
- Parking: There is limited parking. Free parking is available in the lot across the street at the East Puyallup Trailhead parking lot. There are plans for expanded parking, restrooms and more park amenities in the future.
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