When traveling with children, it’s always best to have a few alternative activities in mind. While vacation is usually always fun for all, it’s sometimes difficult to find that delicate balance when it comes to intellectually stimulating activities for mom and dad vs. entertaining activities for the kids.

No matter where you end up in the country, there’s bound to be a local playground where you can stop for a while in order to let your children run off some of that pent-up energy. As voted by our children, here are some of the best.

Koret Children’s Quarter – San Francisco

The Koret Children’s Quarter playground in San Francisco was built to resemble a miniature version of the city for children. The park features a carousel, sliding boards, climbing walls, and a replica of the Japanese Tea Garden that can be found in Golden Gate Park. Those who don’t mind a little dirt will really enjoy making mud pies and joining in on the day’s archeological dig!

Shane’s Inspiration – Los Angeles

Shane’s Inspiration is an amazing park on Crystal Springs Road that truly has children from all walks of life in mind. There are specialized swings for mom’s carrying babies as well as specially designed equipment for children in wheelchairs. Those large enough for bikes and scooters will find a designated area designed to keep them and nearby pedestrians safe from collisions.

Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground – New York City

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Playground is rests in Battery Park City and is incredibly famous amongst children in the area. There’s a pedal-powered carousel for the younger children and a giant suspended net for the older ones. In the summer, sprinklers entertain and cool off children from all over the city. The park is reasonably distanced from the water taxi, the Pier 51 Water Park, and other popular attractions as well.

Cowen Park – Seattle, Washington

Cowen Park is a Seattle Favorite. Forget simple swing sets and slides. This park comes complete with a giant sundial and – get this – a zipline! The playground is incredibly well-kept and features lovely equipment, beautifully grassy picnic grounds, and clean public restrooms. The playground area is also ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Cowen Park is an amazing place for the entire family.

Holiday Park – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In lovely Fort Lauderdale, Florida you’ll come across Holiday Park. The park features a number of sporting fields and ball courts, including a few for shuffleboard, and racquetball. Hockey players will love the outdoor rink, too! The park has a normal set of swings and slides, but adds extra entertainment with an authentic train engine for climbing and exploring!

Tadpole Playground – Boston

The Tadpole Playground in Boston was rebuilt in 2002 and has a number of incredible amusements to offer the entire family. Most famous are the bronze statues of frogs scattered throughout the park. Everyone enjoys the water spray fountain in the summer and the park has a beautiful pond which doubles as an ice skating rink in the winter! In the summertime, the Tadpole Playground sponsors a summer reading program, including six weekly events for young children featuring local storytellers and readers. To encourage reading, children who attend receive a free book so that they can start creating their own libraries!

Woodside Green Park – Gahanna, Ohio

The playground at Woodside Green Park in Gahanna, Ohio isn’t the largest in the country, but it may be one of the safest. The ground is covered in mulch, which helps to keep the entire playground clean. While there isn’t a ton of equipment, it’s all in good repair. There are a handful of sliding boards and swings. Our favorite features are the monkey bars and the tire swing!

Franklin Square – Philadelphia, PA

The playground at Franklin Square in Old City Philadelphia is one of our favorite playgrounds on earth! The two main playgrounds feature lots of great equipment, including spinners, and swing sets. They’re also surrounded by enough entertainment to keep everyone busy for hours. There’s a mini-golf course, a carousel, and a beautiful marble fountain; not to mention tons of vendors providing delicious foods and snacks. The Franklin Square Park is not far from the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge, placing it within walking distance of a number of historic attractions as well.

Playgrounds all over the country are a source of amusement, fun, and exercise for children from any age group. It doesn’t matter if the playground is large or small – the activity and fresh air will do wonders. Stop at a playground on your next vacation, or simply make regular visits a part of your summer routine. You won’t regret the time you spend together!

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