Switch up your park routine and surprise your little with a cool themed playground.
Kiwanis Park (Train)
If you have a train lover at home make the trip to Kiwanis Park for a life size train your kids will love climbing on and sliding down. Not only that, they can run around two play structures with rock and log walls, sensory elements and slides. Take a spin on giant acorns, race through a log tunnel and test your balance on wobbly, wooden leaves.
On the third Saturday and Sunday of each month Great Lakes Live Steamers offers FREE mini train rides at the park from 12pm to 4pm (although donations are appreciated). Train rides are offered each month beginning in May. Holiday rides are hosted in October and December.
Kiwanis Park // 13901 Leroy St, Southgate
St. Clair Shores Civic Center Arena (Hockey)
Head to the St. Clair Shores Civic Center Arena and let the kids run around the fenced-in, hockey themed playground! Designed for ages 5 to 12, kids can climb, slide and swing. The playground is located next to the ice arena and you can drop-in for open skate times.
St Clair Shores Civic Arena // 20000 Stephens St, Saint Clair Shores
County Farm Park (Farm)
The farm-themed playground is perfect for kids of all ages, including slides and structures of all sizes – and plenty of seating for parents to watch from the sidelines. Families can also explore the amazing community gardens overflowing with flower blooms and produce. Or take a walk on the many trails or paved paths, great for strollers and family bike rides too. Bathrooms are onsite and available for use.
County Farm Park // 2230 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor
McKinley Park (Fire Truck & Airplane)
The star features of McKinley Park is a fire truck that doubles as a slide and climbing area and an airplane structure filled with noise making activities, slides and multiple ways to climb up. There is also a swing set complete with a mommy and me swing, and inclusive swings and two zip lines. This park also has walking trails, a quaint garden, and little free libraries. The park also has a sandbox, pavilion and bathrooms.
McKinley Park // 31500 Grove St, Fraser
Beech Woods Park (Dinosaur)
The perfect size for toddlers up to age ten. It hosts four different structures, three for toddlers, and one for older kids. A sandbox with diggers, slides, swings, and dinosaur rides and climbers! There is a pavilion nearby as well as plenty of seating and picnic tables around the park, for perfect visibility no matter where you are. There are also bathrooms open seasonally nearby.
Beech Woods Park // 22200 Beech Rd, Southfield
Plymouth Township Park (Bear + Train)
The modern playset features a larger-than-life bear and stationary train. Take a short walk along the paved trail and you’ll find a wooden kingdom with a castle, barn and pirate ship! The wooded structure also gets plenty of shade making it a great place to play on hot summer days.
Plymouth Township Park // 46640 W Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth
Playful Dragon Playground
Orion Township’s pocket park along the Baldwin corridor is called the Playful Dragon because the giant green dragon has a long red tongue that kids can slide down and wings that are perfect for climbing all over. In addition to the dragon, you can also walk the short storybook path.
The Playful Dragon // 4805 Baldwin Rd., Orion Charter Township
Veterans Memorial Park (Steamship)
Find a friend in St. Clair Shores and check out this cool steamship themed playground located along Lake St. Clair. Kids will love the massive playground located next to the splash pad. You can also walk along the paved walking trail.
Veterans Memorial Park // 32400 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores
Lower Huron Metropark (Outer Space/Paw Patrol)
The space themed space has a large creative toddler area, massive traditional structure with universally accessible slides and spaceship, a caged ninja warrior course, swings for all ages and abilities AND a climbing slide that genuinely challenges kids to reach for the stars! We also think the slide reminds us of the Paw Patrol Lookout! Restrooms are available but a short walk from the playground.
Lower Huron Metropark // 40151 E Huron River Dr, Belleville
David Shepherd Park (Train & Monster Truck)
All kids love to climb and play on the massive wooden train at Shepherd Park. From the locomotive to the caboose have fun climbing on the colorful train. Kids can load up on the equally large truck too. For traditional playtime the kids can race to the play structure featuring swings, slides and monkey bars.
Shepherd Park // 424198 block of Church Street, Oak Park
Photo: Shepherd Park, Oak Park
