This is your ultimate guide to the best playgrounds in Calgary. Choose from fully accessible playgrounds with unique features, fun themes and creative play structures.
Parents always look for fun play spaces for their kids, am I right? We found the best playgrounds in Calgary and gathered them all here to save you time.
After my very popular post about the best indoor playgrounds in Calgary, itβs time to post about some fun outdoor play spaces.
We drive all over Calgary to visit our favourite playgrounds, and Iβm thrilled that Calgary provides almost infinite playgrounds for kids of all ages. Many playgrounds are fully accessible; some offer unique features, interesting themes, or fun play structures not seen anywhere else.
Parents will especially appreciate chill seating areas, cafΓ©s, and many climbing structures for kids to burn energy.
This post features the 15 best playgrounds in Calgary with a detailed description, photos, and essential info for your next visit.
Enjoy!
15 best playgrounds in Calgary
1. Shouldice Park Playground
Shouldice Park Playground is the biggest and one of the best playgrounds in Calgary.
The Shouldice Park playground is inclusive and fully accessible with a soft floor, easy ramp access, lots of slides, climbing structures, swings, and playful setups.
The big central structure is accessible by several climbers ranging in difficulties and from the ramp. The lower access is full of fun panels for small kids, while higher levels have lots of slides.
One side of the playground is dedicated to swings: accessible swings, regular swings, double swings (where two kids can swing facing each other), saucer swing and baby swings.
Around the main climber are other cool features: a climbing structure for babies, a spinning globe, a spinner with back support, musical elements, a bouncer for four kids, pretend play structure, photo props, and an igloo structure.
A part of the Bow River Pathway runs along the river and around the playground. There are lots of picnic tables and BBQs.
Our full review: Shouldice Park Playground
Info for visiting Shouldice Park Playground
- Location: 4900 Monserrat Dr NW, Map
- Parking: free parking lot at Shouldice Aquatic Centre + free parking lot by the basketball court on Monserrat Drive NW
- Age range: 2-12 years
- The seasonal public washroom is by the playground or inside the Aquatic Centre
2. Confederation Park Natural Playground
Confederation Park Natural Playground is in a beautiful park with natural climbing elements, sand with a water pump, several slides, and a wooden canoe.
Whether kids want to make a mess with sand and water, slide, swing, climb, ride a bike or watch birds, Confederation Park has it all. And for winter adventures, thereβs also a toboggan hill, an ice skating rink, and the Lions Festival of Lights.
The playground dominates a big wooden climbing tower with a giant closed 4.5-meter slide. Thereβs a tipped-over canoe that kids can climb onto or walk under. The toddler part has wooden steppers, a double slide, a sand pit with toys and a water pump. Right by the garden swing, great for parents, are regular swings, a baby swing, and a saucer swing.
Several BBQs are in the park, one very close to the playground.
I recommend checking out the whole Confederation Park. Thereβs a Duck pond viewing platform, two tunnels under the main road, and even an ice cream truck in summer.
Our full review: Confederation Park Natural Playground
Info for visiting Confederation Park Natural Playground
- Location: 651-905 30 Ave NW, Map
- Parking: Free parking lot
- Age range: 2-12 years
- Public washrooms are open year-round and located at the Parksβ North Office (200 meters away)
3. Flyover Park Playground
Flyover Park Playground is the most creative playground in Calgary, with playful structures for kids and adults. Located in the beautiful Bridgeland neighbourhood, restaurants, cafΓ©s, and Bow River Pathway are just a short walk away.
The playgroundβs hill has a fun and long rollerslide and a regular slide with ropes and nets around for climbing. Thereβs a tandem swing, where you can swing together with your kid, green bamboo-looking poles for climbing for older kids and adults, and a play box with family-friendly games β shuffleboard, ping pong, ladder toss, tetherball, bocce, jumping plates for kids, chalk, and pylons.
The huge Murdoch Park with Bridgeland Community Centre playground is a walking distance away, with Papa Murphyβs Pizza, Village Ice Cream, and Starbucks, which I highly recommend. A bridge over Memorial Drive leads to a Bow River Pathway and St. Patrickβs Island with another playground and kids’ favourite, the Trout Beach.
Our full review: 4th Avenue Flyover Park Playground
Info for visiting Flyover Park Playground
- Location: in Bridgeland β Riverside, 651 McDougall Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 4Z7, Map
- Parking: Free 1-hour parking on McDougall Road during the week & free unlimited parking on weekends
- Age range: all ages
- No public washroom in the area
4. Bridgeland Community Centre Playground
Close to the previously mentioned Flyover Park Playground is the Bridgeland Community Centre playground, playful structures for all ages, and Calgaryβs skyline views.
Bridgeland Community Centre playground is one of our favourites because of the playground, the football fields where we can run around, and a close-by ice cream shop. The playground has an accessible soft floor with easy ramp access, several slides, climbing structures, and swings
Bridgeland Community Association hosts a weekly Farmerβs Market during summer, located between the hall and the playground, every Thursday. Donβt forget to bring your bike, get ice cream and check out St. Patrickβs Island.
Our full review: Bridgeland Community Centre Playground
Info for visiting Bridgeland Community Centre Playground
- Location: Murdoch Park in Bridgeland β Centre Avenue NE & 9 Street NE, Map
- Parking: 0.5 hours free or 4-hour paid parking on Centre Avenue, a free parking lot at 9 St NE by the Bridgeland Community Association, free parking on 7a Street NE near Village Ice Cream
- Age range: 2-12 years
- No public washroom in the area
5. Princeβs Island Park Playground
Princeβs Island Park Playground is a lovely cowboy & train-themed playground in Calgaryβs downtown. With bike paths, Bow River, and another indoor playground nearby, itβs a great spot year-round.
The playground has a toddler corner, a pretend-play booth, βShakespeare in the park,β and a climber with slides. The middle structure has climbers built as a train with a real bell.
The next part of the playground is for the older kids with higher climbers, slides, and lots of monkey bars with the theme βLil Fort Calgaryβ.
Adorable parts of the playground are the swings. The structure is shaped like a cowboy hat and has a baby and regular swings.
There are paved bike paths along the river, many picnic tables close to the playground, and the islandβs east part has wetlands where you can watch beavers. If you visit in spring, you see many cute little ducklings walking around.
Our full review: Princeβs Island Park Playground
Info for visiting Princeβs Island Park Playground
- Location: Princeβs Island Park is located north of Calgaryβs downtown with easy walking access from Memorial Drive NW, Map
- Parking: Paid parking is available at 200-286 Memorial Drive NW, and a few free parking spots are available along 3 Street NW by the Curling Arena. Another option is south of the park at Eau Claire Market (address: 4-110 Barclay Parade SW). Thereβs no vehicle access to the park, and itβs only accessible within a short walk.
- Age range: all ages
- A public washroom is available on the backside of River CafΓ©
6. East Village Playground
East Village Playground has climbers and slides for all levels, chairs and tables for parents to relax, and Bow River and another indoor playground nearby. I love that East Village Playground has several natural elements and is also an excellent place for parents.
The large wooden structure is a fantastic rope climber. It has monkey bars and several nets at different heights so everyone can choose what theyβre comfortable with.
There are two musical features β xylophone and drums. Towards the centre is a few stumps to hop on and a wooden seating area with colourful chairs and tables.
Another climbing structure features a giant slide for older kids and a rolling slide for the little ones. The rolling slide is always a favourite for small kids
There is a wooden area with stumps of different heights going around the perimeter and across the middle for practising balance.
Our full review: East Village Playground
Info for visiting East Village Playground
- Location: the playground is in East Village, right by the garden shed, dog park, and music pavilion with a duck pond. Across the big grassy area is Fort Calgary, Map
- Parking: Paid parking is available during the week along 6 Street SE (right by the playground) and free during the weekend.
- Age range: 2-12
- A public mobile toilet booth is available behind the Crossroads Garden Shed, on the backside of River CafΓ©
7. Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association Playground
This fun playground is located in the north part of Calgary along Centre Street and has many fun features we havenβt seen before.
The biggest hit was, not surprisingly, the zipline. With two different options, every child, no matter the age, can try the zipline. I loved the tandem swings; you can swing together on a regular seat for older kids or with your toddler in a different seat.
The playground has a soft floor, an accessible ramp with four slides, a musical setup on the ground, two big rope climbers for older kids, and a 4-person sway swing. Thereβs something for every age – the main structure has climbers, slides, and a big flower with colourful leaves making dancing colours on the ground when itβs spinning. Then thereβs a big rope climber, a tree spinner, a few activity panels, and musical flowers.
Our full review: Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association Playground
Info for visiting Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association Playground
- Location: 5600 Centre Street N, right by the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association, Map
- Parking: Free limited parking by the association building. Because there was no space when we visited, I found another option in the back alley, just across the building, behind the playground
- Age range: 2-12 years
- A washroom is in the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association building
8. Rotary Park Playground & Spray Park
Rotary Park Playground & Spray Park is perfect for a summer day. The Spray Park provides lots of fun water spraying fixtures, and the playground has climbers, slides, swings, and even trucks to play with.
Tiny toddlers have the most extensive structure, with a ramp and several activity panels. Next to the main structure is a colourful wavy metal climber, a rope climber, a spinning seat, a motorcycle bouncer, a two-seat bouncer, a dinosaur, a car structure, and a storage box with trucks.
The climbing structure is higher, with a climbing ladder, a climbing wall, and monkey bars for older kids. The tire swing is fun as the chains let you spin and swing simultaneously.
Right next to the playground is Spray Park, divided by a fence. Several water fixtures and sprinklers make it a lovely place for kids of all ages. The most popular seem to be the water umbrella and tipping buckets.
Our full review: Rotary Park Playground & Spray Park
Info for visiting Rotary Park Playground & Spray Park
- Location: Rotary Park Playground & Spray Park are accessible from 1 Street NE & 5 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6R2, Map
- Parking: Free 3-hour parking along 1 Street NE
- Age range: all ages
- A seasonal washroom is available at the Spray Park
9. North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground
North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground is the newest addition to Calgaryβs playgrounds, and itβs set in a beautiful park with lake views and picnic & biking options.
Not only can you visit the playground year-round, but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in North Glenmore Park. While summer is great for biking and picnicking, winter offers an ice rink with a fire pit, a night-lit ice trail, and a Crokicurl rink (a game combining crokinol and curling).
North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground is accessible with easy ramp access, several slides, climbing structures, swings, activity panels and slides for small toddlers and climbers for bigger kids.
The giant structure in the middle of the playground is accessible via a ramp and goes along several activity panels. The lowest ramp level leads to a 4-person sway swing, then a rollerslide for tiny toddlers, then several climbing structures with a middle slide and giant slides at the end.
Ground-level has many musical instruments, activity panels with sounds and other exciting features, a big rope spinner, a saucer swing, and a 4-person bouncer. Thereβs an accessible zipline with a swing seat which is also great for tiny toddlers, and a regular zipline for older kids.
Due to many climbers and other activities, it’s the best playground in Calgary for small toddlers.
Our full review: North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground
Info for visiting North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground
- Location: from 37 Street SW to North Glenmore Park Road; itβs the 1st playground on the left, Map
- Parking: Free unlimited parking; closest is lot L and lot J
- Age range: 2-12 years
- Public washroom right by the playground
10. South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park
Variety Childrenβs Park in South Glenmore offers a nice nautical-themed playground for kids of all ages, a splash park, and a bike track nearby.
The best thing about the park is that itβs fully fenced, and the splash park is part of the playground. It has a fully accessible soft floor made of a pour-in tire, easy ramp access, slides, swings, and lots of playful setups on the ground level.
A blue boat structure with several water fountains and a gazebo providing shade is located in the playground. Then thereβs a big blue climbing structure for older toddlers accessible via a ramp and offers several slides from different heights.
Around the structure are a 4-person sway swing, 4-person bouncer swing, musical features, colourful hand spinners, globe spinner, rope climber, and a small wobbly raft.
The other part of the playground is for tiny toddlers. It has a smaller climbing structure with slides, saucer swings, a 4-person spinner, and the biggest hit for almost all little ones β the roller tunnel.
Our full review: South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park
Info for visiting South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park
- Location: Entrance is at 90 Ave SW & 24 St SW, Map
- Parking: Free unlimited parking
- Age range: all ages
- Public washroom right at the playground
- Splash parks in Calgary usually open in mid-June; check Calgaryβs website for updates
- Outside showers in summer and water-friendly wheelchairs for kids are available (provided by the City of Calgary)
11. Ramsay Inclusive Playground
Ramsay Inclusive Playground is a new accessible playground with a tandem swing, slides, and a beautiful view of Calgaryβs skyline.
Kids can play at the main climbing structure or run down the hill for swings. This two-tiered playground is fully accessible by the pathway.
The Ramsay Inclusive Playground has a soft floor on both tiers. The upper level has the main climbing structure with a ramp, slides, activity panels, rope climber, climbing wall, and an accessible merry-go-round. The lower tier has swings, a 4-person bouncer, and musical features.
Thereβs a picnic table at the upper tier and benches, boulders, and logs for sitting down the hill to the lower level.
Our full review: Ramsay Inclusive Playground
Info for visiting Ramsay Inclusive Playground
- Location: 1024 Bellevue Ave SE, Calgary, T2G 4L1, Map
- Parking: free small parking lot at the playgroundsβ lower tier and free street parking
- Age range: 2-12 years
- No public washroom; the closest one is at Stampede Park, a few minutes away
12. Applestone Park Playground
Applestone Park Playground is a giant accessible playground with two climbing setups based on difficulty and many swings.
One climbing setup is for tiny toddlers with many ramps, slides, activity panels, and a pretend play booth. Several different swings are located in the middle. And then thereβs a climbing setup for older kids with climbing walls, monkey bars, and high slides.
The first big climbing structure is suitable for smaller toddlers or disabled kids with a ramp system, activity panels, drums, a double slide, a twisting slide, and a picnic sway swing. Many swings are in the playground: accessible swing, baby swings, regular swings, and a big rope climber for older kids with a spinner nearby.
The second climbing structure has climbing walls, monkey bars, and several tall slides. It looked pretty challenging, and I would guess itβs suitable for five-year-olds and up.
Our full review: Applestone Park Playground
Info for visiting Applestone Park Playground
- Location: 188 Applewood Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2A 7P8, Map
- Parking: Free street parking
- Age range: 2-12 years
- No public washroom
13. Ted Harrison Inclusive Playground
Ted Harrison Inclusive Playground has an extensive ramp system, many activities for tiny toddlers, and climbing options suitable for all.
While accessible playgrounds have ramps, Ted Harrison Inclusive Playgroundβs ramps go pretty high, so even smaller toddlers can challenge themselves and reach higher slides. The playground has one big climbing structure that has it all. The six-level ramp system provides access to the whole structure and its many slides.
The ramp goes in a circle with a big rope climber in the middle of the playground. Activity panels for the little ones are on the lower level along the ramp with a swaying swing. As kids walk higher on the ramp, there are several climbing features, a twisting slide, a regular slide, and a roller slide.
One side of the playground features a regular and accessible slide. An accessible merry-go-round is on the lower level, next to the shaded picnic table.
Our full review: Ted Harrison Inclusive Playground
Info for visiting Ted Harrison Inclusive Playground
- Location: 215 Taravista Way NE (right next to the school), Map
- Parking: Free street parking
- Age range: 2-12 years
- No public washroom
14. Capitol Hill Dinosaur Playground
Capitol Hill Dinosaur Playground has many unique climbers, swings, slides, and even sandboxes with toys. There are two climbing structures, one for small climbers and one for older kids.
The gazebo climbing structure called βTreehouseβ has several climbing options and a slide. Underneath is a storefront for pretend play.
A spider web climber, a swing, and another climbing structure are in the middle of the play area. Several climbers look like dinosaur bones with a big dinosaur skull in the front.
There are saucer swings, regular swings, and baby swings. Several wooden bike ramps are on the other side of the park for kids with bikes. The most exciting part is the sandboxes with toys, diggers and excavators.
Our full review: Capitol Hill Dinosaur Playground
Info for visiting Capitol Hill Dinosaur Playground
- Location: by the Capitol Hill Community Association, 1531 21 Ave NW, Calgary, Map
- Parking: free street parking
- Age range: 2-12
- No public washroom nearby
15. Prairie Winds Spray Park, Wading Pool & Playground
Prairie Winds Spray Park and Wading Pool is the perfect summer spot in Calgary. Sprinklers, a giant wading pool with a lazy river and a playground with a zip line close by is fun for kids of all ages.
North of the water area and near the North parking lot is a great playground surrounded by greenery, small flower gardens, and many seating options.
The most popular area of the playground seemed to be the hill with several slides. Thereβs also a rotating swing, sand play area, pendulum swing, climbing poles, and a double zip line.
Prairie Winds Spray Park and the wading pool are free and open to the public year-round.
Although thereβs a small spray park, the giant wading pool is the main attraction.
The whole wading pool is 0.3 to 0.6 meters deep; it has a zero-depth pool entrance by the change rooms if youβd like easy access for the smallest kids. Thereβs a round raised pool in the middle of the wading pool where the water is ankle high.
The West side of the wading pool is dedicated to a lazy river.
Our full review: Prairie Winds Spray Park, Wading Pool & Playground
Info for visiting Prairie Winds Spray Park, Wading Pool & Playground
- Location: 223 Castleridge Blvd. NE, Calgary, Directions to the North parking lot (off of Westwinds Crescent NE)
- Parking: Free parking lots north & south of the park
- Public washrooms are available year-round
And there you have it!
These are the best playgrounds in Calgary that we found. All of them are free to enter, but if youβre willing to pay an entrance fee, these are other great outdoor playgrounds in Calgary:
- Granary Road: Active Learning Park & Petting Zoo
- Bugtopia at Calgary Zoo
- Outdoor playground at Telus Spark Science Centre
We visit these playgrounds in Calgary year-round as the sun often melts the snow from the climbing structures, and with the proper warm clothing, kids can have fun in all weather conditions.
More family-friendly activities in Calgary
What do you think about our list of the best playgrounds in Calgary? Which ones youβd like to visit?
