~*~ Our Latest Playground Adventures ~*~

This past weekend, the Stumpjumpers took to the jogging stroller for a lap around the Central Park loop, finishing up at a little playground on a hill for a birthday party. The Adventure Playground gets overshadowed by the nearby Heckscher, but most parents I know prefer this quieter spot. Well, maybe until they get home, because this playground is about half-sandbox. There's a fountain on one side which runs in a straight line kids just can't resists playing in. Lots of Lincoln Sq. locals who can be a little standoffish, but I'd take them over the lost tourists who wander into the Heck. Bathrooms are a little walk away, tucked behind Tavern on the Green. There is a soft rubber tots playground just a binkie throw away, where my daughter learned to walk.

Williamsburg's waterfront gem impressed us more than expected this trip. After a nice bicycle ride over the 59th St Bridge and then the Pulaski Bridge (where we got to watch the drawbridge in action), we found ourselves in gentrified Brooklyn. The repurposed industrial cranes towering overhead give the whole playground a wonderfully weird flavor you won't find anywhere else in the five boroughs. The splash pad was the real star, with jets popping up in unpredictable patterns that had kids sprinting in circles for a solid hour. There's a great sand pit for the toddlers too, plus benches with an actual river view for tired grown-ups. Bathrooms were a little hike away across the street, but they were very clean. Highly recommended for a hot afternoon!

Most tourists never make it this far uptown, which is exactly why this little playground stays blissfully uncrowded. Tucked among the trees near the Cloisters, this spot has a rugged, almost storybook quality with wooden climbing structures that feel like they belong in a fairy tale. We spent a good ninety minutes here and never once had to wait in line for the slide. Bring a picnic blanket, because the surrounding lawn is perfect for lounging while the kids play. This one stays locals-only for a reason—let's keep it that way!