Going to play at the playground is a childhood favorite for many kids. My kids love playing at different parks and discovering new playgrounds.
When we are traveling we love finding parks playgrounds for pit stops. They are perfect for the kids can run around and get some energy out.
But how do I find the best parks near me (especially if it’s a random place)?
There are several easy ways I have found awesome parks all over the country.
First off I think it’s important to know what you’re looking for at a park?
What To Look for at a Park
Are you wanting a park with fields to run around and play sports? Do you want the park to have a playground? How important is it that the park has restrooms?
All of these are things to consider when looking for a park to visit.
Things I Look For at a Park
These are some of the things I look for when finding a new park to visit.
#1 Does It Have A Playground
If the park has a playground is a big deal for my family right now. Yes, parks with fields can be fun. But my kids won’t play for as long as if there is a playground.
#2 Are There Swings
My kids love swings so it’s always fun when a park has them. But when I’m at the park solo with the kids it can sometimes be nice to not have the swings as an option.
So depending on the day I might want a park with swings or one without them.
#3 Does It Have Restrooms
Let’s be honest rarely does a trip to the park end with at least one kid needing to go to the bathroom.
Knowing if there are restrooms at the park and what kind of restrooms they are is always nice to know beforehand.
I’ll be honest if a park doesn’t have good bathrooms I’m a lot less likely to visit again.
#4 Are There any “Extras”
I always love finding parks with extras it could be something simple like a walking path or multiple playgrounds.
Here in Maryland, it’s extra special to find a playground with a splash pad.
Other extras I like to look for are pavilions, creeks, fun-themed playgrounds as well as fun things to do nearby.
Related Post: Maryland Wizard of Oz Playground
How to Find Parks Near Me
Okay, so now that I’ve given you time to consider what you want to find at a park, let’s talk about finding parks near you.
I know you probably found this post by searching google so let me clarify.
Use Google Maps and search for parks or playgrounds in a specific area (the more specific town/city the better results you will find).
I like to use both the terms park and playground because they often bring up a few different results.
Don’t forget that you can move around on the map and search different areas. This is especially nice when you are on a road trip.
Filtering the Results
Depending on the area you’re searching in on your map you could get a lot of results. So let’s figure out how to filter them and find the best park.
First I rule out parks that don’t have any photos.
A lot of the results from your search will most likely have photos submitted by other users. These photos are a great way to get an idea of what the park is like and if it’s worth a visit.
The reviews on the google result can also help figure out if you want to visit the park.
Image Search
Use your internet browser to search for parks and then click the image tab to filter results.
Instead of searching “best parks near me” use a more specific search term like “best parks in St. George” or “best playgrounds in Howard County” to get more specific results for the area.
Facebook Groups
Some of the best parks we have visited are ones we found out about from a Facebook group.
I have asked in both local moms groups and larger national groups about parks/playgrounds and gotten so many great responses.
The parks we have found through Facebook groups are often hidden gems that you only hear about from people who know an area really well.
Ask Around at the Park
Asking parents at the parks you already visit if they have other parks in the area they love is another great way to discover new playgrounds.
We recently moved into a new house and a family from church brought over some treats and a note sharing their favorite parks in the area and it was such a nice welcome.
Don’t Forget National and State Parks
I often forget to include national parks and state parks when I’m thinking of parks to visit. These are great options for hiking and exploring and a lot of them also have a playground or two.
These are just a few of the different ways you can find awesome parks all over the country. So do a little research and get out and have some fun at a park in your area.
10 Days, 10 Parks Challenge {+Giveaway}
I’m excited to kick off August with a fun challenge and giveaway for you!
I’ve teamed up with my friends Jenny from @princessturnedmom and Justine from @littledove.justine to do 10 days, 10 parks challenge.
Why did we decide on this challenge? Because we want you to get outside with your little ones as much as you can for 10 weekdays from August 2-August 13!
A visit to any type of park counts for the challenge – a trip to the local playground, a state park, or a national park.
What if you can’t commit to all 10 days? That’s totally okay! Just do the best you can!
The more you participate in the challenge the more entries you earn for a fun little giveaway. Click on the Google Form below to read all the details and see how you can earn entries.
Don’t forget to share on social media, because the only thing you have to do to qualify for the giveaway is share at least one (1) post about the challenge using #10days10parks.
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