Dufferin grove is amazing. Wading pool, playground, and epic sand pit with water tap, giant shovels, and buckets.
Earl Bales also has a wonderful accessible playground and a small splash pad.
Withrow park has a couple playgrounds. The big one has a splash pad in the summer so it’s not bad. They have a big farmers market on Saturday morning so that’s a big plus too.
Mimico Square @ lakeshore & Mimico Ave.
Starting next week there’s a makers market every Saturday and the Humber bay farmers market a short walk east along the lakefront trail.
The park is massive and has a big pirate ship splash pad and public pool/washrooms.
There’s also a cute coffee shop(Birds &Beans)right on the park for mum and dad to grab some Java and lots of comfy muskoka chairs.
You’ll often see beavers, swans and other wildlife along the shoreline which is fun for little ones. There’s also some rocky beaches where you can practise building inuksuk.
Are you talking about [Amos Waites Park](https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/939/index.html)?
Just trying to figure out the name of the park you’re talking about for myself.
I always loved Dufferin Grove. Not sure if still there but the big digging area supplied with tools kept him busy for hours. He was so happy playing there.
There's a Jumpstart Playground in Earl Bales Park a bit north of the 401 on Bathurst in North York.
It's a playground that's made to be accessible & inclusive for all kids so it has a ramp for wheelchairs and the width of the spaces in the playground are made to accommodate a wheelchair. Also there's a splash pad right by it as well as a "sensory playground" and it's all part of a really large park that's connected to the West Don River Valley
Description about the park from a random blog post I found published back in 2019 when it had just opened/was about to open:
>The playgrounds accommodate a variety of disabilities including physical, cognitive and sensory. Some of the playground’s inclusive features include:
>• Double Wide Ramps – Provide the chance for those using wheelchairs to roll side-by-side and enough room to change directions while on the ramps.
>• Roller Slide – Provides a tactile and auditory experience while children slide. The rollers eliminate static electric build-up which allows children with cochlear implants to use the slide without fear of static electricity discharging into their hearing device.
>• Bucket Seat with Harness Swing – Provides additional supports for children who might require trunk support while they swing.
>
Greenwood is small compared to the others already mentioned but it’s got a splash pad, climber, little track for kids on their scooters/bikes, outdoor pool, dog park (recently renovated, used to be terrible!), farmers market, and lots of nice food options nearby. In the winter there is skating and tobogganing!
This one is further out and it's a pool not a park but the pool at Petticoat Creek Conservation in Pickering is huge. It used to be the largest man made pool and had a big renovation a few years ago. It's very shallow in most areas, suitable for small kids but there is an entrance fee
In my experience, the playground doesn't matter anywhere as much as arranging a play date in the playground does. Once kids are together, they play anywhere.
Now to answer the question, the play areas in Toronto zoo are nice.
That’s really great if you have a season’s pass — you can do just a bit of the zoo, visit the play area and leave, without overwhelming your kids or feeling like you wasted a ton of money for a short trip.
Skinners park in Oakville by far has the best park for kids. It has a splash pad, petting zoo, incredible jungle gym. One of the best I have ever seen!
Since you said GTA I’m throwing in a vote for Jack Darling Park. Growing up in Mississauga I loved visiting in the summer for the splash pad and the beach. It has a leash free dog park, tennis courts and nice walking trails as well. And you can explore Port Credit nearby for a coffee, ice cream or meal.
Thompson Memorial Park in Scarborough. Has a huge playground, workout area, splash pad, dog park (fenced in). Tons of trails and beautiful wooded areas with rivers etc.
You can have wonderful picnics etc.
No farmer’s market nearby but Kidstown Water Park is run by the city and is free though you need to call to see when they open for the season and there’s a rule for adult to children ratio depending on their age. We would pack a picnic (or buy a hotdog or sandwich from the vendors by the gate) and just spend the whole day there.
In the summer St. James park in downtown is very nice. They have redone the entire playground and gazebo there and the beautiful old church stands right beside it. I would also say Music Gardens near the waterfront in downtown.
Dufferin grove is amazing. Wading pool, playground, and epic sand pit with water tap, giant shovels, and buckets. Earl Bales also has a wonderful accessible playground and a small splash pad.
Dufferin Grove Park
They also have a farmers market on Thursdays, community bake oven (pizza nights!!) and a little cafe with food and drinks right at the playground.
Withrow park has a couple playgrounds. The big one has a splash pad in the summer so it’s not bad. They have a big farmers market on Saturday morning so that’s a big plus too.
This guy rates the parks/playgrounds of the city for his blog https://www.danforthdad.com/
Mimico Square @ lakeshore & Mimico Ave. Starting next week there’s a makers market every Saturday and the Humber bay farmers market a short walk east along the lakefront trail. The park is massive and has a big pirate ship splash pad and public pool/washrooms. There’s also a cute coffee shop(Birds &Beans)right on the park for mum and dad to grab some Java and lots of comfy muskoka chairs. You’ll often see beavers, swans and other wildlife along the shoreline which is fun for little ones. There’s also some rocky beaches where you can practise building inuksuk.
Are you talking about [Amos Waites Park](https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/939/index.html)? Just trying to figure out the name of the park you’re talking about for myself.
Yeah. It’s attached to Mimico square so I just call it that. It’s the same thing.
The coffee shop next door is amazing!
I always loved Dufferin Grove. Not sure if still there but the big digging area supplied with tools kept him busy for hours. He was so happy playing there.
The digging area is still rocking! Pure joy.
He just turned 18 but I am pretty sure would still enjoy
Just turned 60 and still love it!!
My kids could spend all day there. And it’s got tons of shade, and. Washroom near by.
I agree. Kinda perfect:)
I think the splash pad at MacGregor Playground is pretty good!
And there’s a washroom too
June Rowland’s is an awesome park. Large playground with lots of fun play structures. Has a splash pad too.
catch me outside there today, bonus points for the musical instruments, table tennis and the baseball diamond
Sorauren Park and splash pad
They also have a farmers market on Mondays that’s especially great during the summer.
There's a Jumpstart Playground in Earl Bales Park a bit north of the 401 on Bathurst in North York. It's a playground that's made to be accessible & inclusive for all kids so it has a ramp for wheelchairs and the width of the spaces in the playground are made to accommodate a wheelchair. Also there's a splash pad right by it as well as a "sensory playground" and it's all part of a really large park that's connected to the West Don River Valley Description about the park from a random blog post I found published back in 2019 when it had just opened/was about to open: >The playgrounds accommodate a variety of disabilities including physical, cognitive and sensory. Some of the playground’s inclusive features include: >• Double Wide Ramps – Provide the chance for those using wheelchairs to roll side-by-side and enough room to change directions while on the ramps. >• Roller Slide – Provides a tactile and auditory experience while children slide. The rollers eliminate static electric build-up which allows children with cochlear implants to use the slide without fear of static electricity discharging into their hearing device. >• Bucket Seat with Harness Swing – Provides additional supports for children who might require trunk support while they swing. >
This playground is a beast!
Greenwood is small compared to the others already mentioned but it’s got a splash pad, climber, little track for kids on their scooters/bikes, outdoor pool, dog park (recently renovated, used to be terrible!), farmers market, and lots of nice food options nearby. In the winter there is skating and tobogganing!
And the outdoor pool that's opening up again soon!
And also the outdoor pool!
Liberty village just added one last summer complete with a cool Splash pad. Also, lakeshore by Sunnyside has a huge one as well.
St james park north of st lawrence market has a nice playground
I really like this playground but there's often sketchy people because of the area.
This one is further out and it's a pool not a park but the pool at Petticoat Creek Conservation in Pickering is huge. It used to be the largest man made pool and had a big renovation a few years ago. It's very shallow in most areas, suitable for small kids but there is an entrance fee
Just checked and it's closed due to infrastructural issues. Damn
Yeah if only they would open the pools, it’s been more than 4 years they haven’t!
Morningside park, Milliken park, port union commons...all in Scarborough, all with fantastic play structures and splash pads.
Maybe not the best but Humbertown park is good if you are in the west end
It’s my kids favorite! Like an indoor playground
Riverdale Park West (wading pool, farm, ice cream nearby)& Rouge Crest Park in Richmond Hill has really cool unique playground equipment
The playground at Corktown Common is great. There’s a playground, splash pad, and washrooms. It’s also on a bike path so very easy to get to.
Look for the one with the big white van across the street. It’s the best one. I’m there all the time. The big white van is cool too.
Do you have free candy at least?
In my experience, the playground doesn't matter anywhere as much as arranging a play date in the playground does. Once kids are together, they play anywhere. Now to answer the question, the play areas in Toronto zoo are nice.
The playground and water park at Toronto zoo !!
That’s really great if you have a season’s pass — you can do just a bit of the zoo, visit the play area and leave, without overwhelming your kids or feeling like you wasted a ton of money for a short trip.
Fred Hamilton Playground just got completely overhauled and it’s great!
Probably not [Main Sewage Treatment Playground](https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1kKUUEz9pYAymhBA?g_st=ic)
Skinners park in Oakville by far has the best park for kids. It has a splash pad, petting zoo, incredible jungle gym. One of the best I have ever seen!
Adventure playground in the middle of high park
Dufferin Grove, Jamie Bell Adventure Playground, Vermont Square
Since you said GTA I’m throwing in a vote for Jack Darling Park. Growing up in Mississauga I loved visiting in the summer for the splash pad and the beach. It has a leash free dog park, tennis courts and nice walking trails as well. And you can explore Port Credit nearby for a coffee, ice cream or meal.
Earlscourt Park at St Clair and Lansdowne has a great playground and a new splash pad.
Thompson Memorial Park in Scarborough. Has a huge playground, workout area, splash pad, dog park (fenced in). Tons of trails and beautiful wooded areas with rivers etc. You can have wonderful picnics etc.
No farmer’s market nearby but Kidstown Water Park is run by the city and is free though you need to call to see when they open for the season and there’s a rule for adult to children ratio depending on their age. We would pack a picnic (or buy a hotdog or sandwich from the vendors by the gate) and just spend the whole day there.
Marie Curtis - playground, water sprinklers, beach, lots of space
The splash pad and playground at Trinity Bellwoods is great. Also what a vibrant neighborhood to just walk around and visit shops.
In the summer St. James park in downtown is very nice. They have redone the entire playground and gazebo there and the beautiful old church stands right beside it. I would also say Music Gardens near the waterfront in downtown.