There are so many great playgrounds in Maryland! We picked out some of the best ones for families to explore throughout the year.
Outdoor Playgrounds
Anne Arundel County
Downs Park | Pasadena
Downs Park renovated its playground in 2021 and now features two tall slide towers for children to climb and explore along with a shaded tot lot. Aside from the playground, the park also houses an aviary for bird watching and several fishing piers.
Kinder Farm Park | Millersville
Animal lovers will have a great time at Kinder Farm Park, which has a large playground, along with a tot lot for younger children. What really sets this park apart are the farm animals that live on the property, which typically includes cows, pigs, sheep and rabbits.
Baltimore County
Angel Park | Perry Hall
An all-inclusive playground meant to be accessible to children of all abilities. Its design is based on concepts by local artists and children. The park has sections aimed at different age groups.
Mount Vernon Children’s Park | Baltimore
In addition to a playground, this park also has a splash pad, making it a great place to cool off during the summer. Parents and kids can also borrow books from the park’s Little Free Library.
Our Playground at Stadium Place | Baltimore
After a fire destroyed the original structure in 2008, the Baltimore community rallied to rebuild this playground. There are slides, climbable structures and mock storefronts and a train station where kids can play pretend.
Frederick County
Baker Park | Frederick
Baker Park is best known as a venue for concerts and outdoor events, including the Frederick’s Fourth Independence Day celebration, but it also includes two playgrounds: Bandshell Playground and the Edward P. Thomas Memorial Pool Playground. The park is home to “Mr. Ed” the dinosaur, a climbable T-Rex skeleton.
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center | Walkersville
Frederick County’s first environmental park has a playground that pays tribute to the park’s resident turtle population by featuring several turtle sculptures. Visitors can buy food for the real turtles at the park with quarters. The park also has a “mud kitchen,” a play kitchen where children can make mud pies.
Pinecliff Park | Frederick
One of six Frederick County playgrounds designated as a Barrier Free Playground, Pinecliff Park’s playground is built with accessibility in mind and includes adaptive features like rubberized ground and wheelchair ramps.
Sophie & Madigan’s Playground | Frederick
Currently, this playground consists of two areas with a third in development: Fantasy Land, which features fantastical set pieces like Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage and a climbable castle; and Wonder Land, which includes “Alice in Wonderland” -inspired elements like the Mad Hatter’s tea party and a slide between the legs of a giant flamingo.
Kent County
Wilmer Park | Chestertown
The park is located right along the Chester River and is a popular spot for kayaking, so naturally, the playground has a nautical theme with boat-shaped structures. The playground also features an array of musical instruments, so kids can jam out when they’re taking a break from the action.
Talbot County
Idlewild Park | Easton
An entire mock town with plenty of places for kids to engage in pretend play. Much of the playground structure is wheelchair-accessible and includes ramps. For older kids, the park also has baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts.
Indoor Playgrounds
Anne Arundel County
Kids Empire Arundel | Hanover
Ages: 0-17
This indoor playground has a fun surprise parade every day! It also has climbable structures, obstacle courses, a soccer arena and rideable vehicles.
Totsville Indoor Playground | Glen Burnie
Ages: 0-8
Totsville Indoor Playground charges a small fee for admission, but offers even more to do than an outdoor playground, such as a ball pit, a super-sized sandbox and large climbing structures.
Baltimore County
BeeZee Sensory Gym | Sparks Glencoe
Ages: 0-13
A calmer, more lowkey indoor fun center meant to encourage sensory exploration and development, it offers therapy as well as drop-in play.
Kidz Jungle World | Randallstown
Ages: 6 months to 12 years
A jungle-themed indoor playground with attractions for different age groups that holds a weeklong camp during the summer
Kidzville | Catonsville
Ages: 3-12
Contains obstacle courses, rides and a mock town and pretend play. Kidzville offers military discounts and senior discounts for grandparents accompanying kids.
Carroll County
Bulala | Eldersburg
Ages: 0-7
A playground specifically designed for young children, with soft equipment and attractions meant to encourage imaginative roleplay
Frederick County
Grasshopper Grove | Frederick
Ages: 0-11
A small indoor playground and activity center in Francis Scott Key Mall, which aims to encourage screen-free play with natural toys; hosts play groups for different ages
Multiple Counties
Hyper Kidz | Locations in Baltimore, Columbia, Crofton and Rockville
Ages: 0-13
An indoor playground focused on serving as a space where children in different age groups can play together, with attractions for all ages. It also hosts birthday parties and has several party rooms.
Me Land | Locations in Frederick and Gaithersburg
Ages: 0-12
An indoor playground featuring areas aimed at different age groups, such as a Tot Zone for younger children and a Big Kids Zone for older children and tweens
We Rock the Spectrum | Locations in Owings Mills, Gaithersburg and Forest Hill
Ages: All
Indoor playgrounds designed with neurodivergent children in mind, though all children are welcome. We Rock the Spectrum includes attractions that are meant to be sensory-friendly and fun without being overstimulating.
