Top 31 Best Playgrounds Chicago Has to Offer

Jewett Park's recently renovated playground with towering slides, rope tunnel, and musical play elements makes it one of the best playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs! With added amenities like a concert pavilion, family game area, and 10,000-square-foot skatepark, Jewett Park is a great destination for outdoor fun at all ages.

Alexandra F. said:  When our kids were younger we often made the 25-minute drive to Jewett Park, where they loved playing on the two large playgrounds boasting two super-tall twisty slides, swings, towers, and best of all, the turning rope climbing structure.

In addition to a playground, Ty Warner Park features a zip line, tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, sand volleyball court and a seasonal sled hill and spray park.

Wood Oaks Green Park is an outdoor recreational haven featuring Lake Shermerville for catch-and-release fishing, a prominent sledding hill, and a 1.25-mile walking trail. The park also offers tennis and pickleball courts, sports fields and playgrounds.

Alexandra F. said:  We’d stumbled upon this awesome playground when my older kids were little, and I’ve been trying to find it again for years with no luck, until now! The super tall structures with cool climbing features and slides are what my kids loved most about the playground, but I also really loved that it is part of a huge outdoor park with lots of trees, a large lake, extensive walking/running paths, and fields for plenty of recreational sports.

Lake Arlington Park has two playgrounds adjacent to its namesake lake—a toddler playground with interactive elements, music zone and sensory garden, and a playground for older children that includes a web-like climbing structure, slides, and swings.

Alexandra F. said:  The renovations to the playground at Lake Arlington have made it one of the best playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs, especially because it has so much to offer the entire family. The main playground has fun and unique features for climbing, hanging, sliding and swinging, and the smaller playground has low structures perfect for toddlers to explore. There’s also a sensory garden with large musical instruments and an outdoor workout station for adults and older kids. Add the lake path for walking, rollerblading or biking and a small beach for playing in the sand, and you’ve got a fun outdoor excursion for the whole family!

The cool playgrounds at Maryknoll Park feature huge net climbers (including one that spins), a treehouse, swings and a 75-foot zip line. There's a seasonal splash pad and mini golf here, too (admission required)!

One of the best playgrounds near Chicago, Kids Castle Playground at Deerpath Park looks like a multi-tower castle, with squishy rubber flooring mimicking grass and a castle moat! For bigger kids, the playground features a large climbing structure, 2 story slides, rope bridge, merry-go-rounds, and a zip line. The tots have their own space to climb and explore. The park has a variety of swings including some that are ADA accessible.

Bison's Bluff Nature Playground is an award-winning, nature-inspired play area designed to immerse children in unstructured, imaginative play within a safe, natural setting. Located within the Spring Valley Nature Center, the playground features elements like a flowing stream, rock formations, sand areas, and a towering bison sculpture. During peak times, play sessions are limited to one hour, with a nominal admission fee. Admission is free between November 1 and March 31.

Yoli B said:  Located at the Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg, Bison's Bluff has one of the best playgrounds in the Chicago suburbs. You have to see it in person to believe all the activities to do here. There is a waterfall that empties into a rock pond designed for exploration, and every structure is designed for either climbing, music-making, or learning! I've personally spent 3 hours at this park without one kid complaint; now that is a "win" in my book!

The Meineke Park Challenge Course is an outdoor obstacle course featuring synthetic turf, ninja-style elements like climbing walls, rope weaving, and a 40-yard dash with digital timers.

Shila said:  If your kids love parkour and America Ninja Warriors, you’ve got to check out the Schaumburg Park District’s free outdoor challenge course featuring unique obstacles, ninja steps, floating boards, a vault wall, 40-yard dash & more. Digital timers even allow the little ninjas to score their performance.

The Early Learning Playscape at Naper Settlement is a fort-themed playground and splash pad featuring a replica covered wagon, trading post, animal track path, and sensory prairie garden. Naperville's settlers built the original fort during the Blackhawk War of 1832 as a temporary shelter for their small community.

The playground is colorful, with many twists, and is reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss book. Knoch Park has tons of swings, slides, and climbing equipment surrounding a net spider web.

Jaycee playground is a vibrant, ADA-accessible play area located along the Riverwalk near Centennial Beach. Renovated in 2019, it features modern play structures, swings, and cushioned surfacing.

Kristy Pepping said:  If you aren't familiar with downtown Naperville, there is a river that runs through town and walking paths on either sides of the river. Jaycee Park is located near the Riverwalk and is a great spot to play while enjoying the scenery.

This park on the Southside of Naperville offers not only a fun and whimsical playground but also a splash pad. There is a covered pavilion, restrooms and even showers located onsite for after the splash pad.

Toucan's Hideaway is an epic West Chicago playground located inside Turtle Splash Water Park. You'll need to pay water park admission to access the playground, but with giant slides, rope bridges, an in-ground bouncer and more, the playground is an awesome destination on its own or as a break from the water park. The water park itself has two water slides, a 12-foot waterfall, zero-depth entry into the pool, splash pad area with bucket drops. Parking is free and there is an on-site cafe.

Summer only

The upgraded playground at Festival Park is particularly good for older kids, with spiderweb climbers and a towering play structure.

Pottawatomie Park is a local gem along the Fox River boasting playgrounds, sand play area & sand volleyball, trails, picnic areas, gorgeous historic pavilion, and native plant demonstration garden.