For all the parents of active kiddos who love playgrounds and are seeking new adventures, this one is for you! If you find yourself north of Boston — maybe you live on the North Shore or are simply spending the day in this beautiful part of Massachusetts — here are some of our favorite area playgrounds! (Oh, and if you’re looking for destination playgrounds closer to the city, check out these playgrounds in and near Boston!)
Oak Island Park :: Revere
We love this small playground both for its ship-themed structure and for its proximity to Revere Beach. Once you’ve had your fun swinging, sliding, and climbing, take a walk around the boulevard to enjoy a beach-side ice cream or Kelly’s Roast Beef sandwich! The playground is in the middle of a residential neighborhood, so street parking is the way to go hereable. It’s not a huge playground or full of frills, but it’s nice, newer, and convenient!
Gibson Park :: Revere
This playground is one of our family’s favorites. Also near Revere Beach, this one has parking, a little free library, a walking path, tennis courts, a little putting green for practicing golf, a baseball field, and an open lawn — all in addition to the actual fenced-in playground space.
Flash Road Playground :: Nahant
If you’ve never been to Nahant, you should check it out! Although Nahant does not have public parking in the community, non-residents can park on the street right off the Flash Road playground for a reasonable amount of time. The playground is partially fenced and includes structures with slides and obstacles, as well as dynamic climbing ones, regular swings, and a tire swing. There are picnic tables and green space surrounding the main playground area. In addition, you’ll find newly renovated tennis and basketball courts.
There’s a small bathroom house that is unlocked during the warmer months and has a drinking water spigot outside for when you or your little ones need to refill water bottles after all the running around.
Walk a little further toward the town elementary school and you’ll come across a beautiful forest playground you and your children are sure to enjoy.
Cy Tenney/Ross Memorial Park :: West Peabody
A little further north you’ll find this nice playground with one area for big kids and a separate space for little ones. This can be especially helpful when you have younger kids or new walkers who need smaller spaces and slower paces! One area of the playground is fully fenced, and the property also includes a trail perfect for bikes and scooters.
Endicott Park :: Danvers
This park has everything — a playground, a dog park, farm animals, historic buildings, gardens, orchards, a pond, woodlands, a disc golf course, and picnic areas! There are 165 acres to explore with the family, and the pastoral views make it a perfect place to spend the day — bring a picnic basket along for the full experience! Be sure to make a stop at the nature center, which offers rotating exhibitions, hands-on displays, and a workspace for arts and crafts. There is a daily use parking fee of $4 for non-residents and $2 for Danvers residents.
General Patton Park :: Hamilton
Further north in the town of Hamilton is one of my personal favorites. It’s a great park and playground on its own, but the real star here is the M4 Sherman World War II tank on the premises! (The park is named for General George S. Patton, who lived in Hamilton.) How cool is that? And kids are allowed to climb on the tank for pretend play or an awesome photo-op. The playground itself features a zip line, pirate ship structure, dome swing, net climber, and other climbing and swinging fun!
Ipswich River Park :: North Reading
Heads up! This playground is NOT in Ipswich (but the next one on this list is). This playground is in North Reading, and it’s a multi-use park with something for everyone. There’s a fun playground, a dog park, and a paved track that can be used for walking, pushing a stroller, jogging, and maybe even cartwheel practice. There’s also green space for sitting on picnic blankets with mom friends and babies, picnic tables, a basketball court, a canoe launch, wildflower meadows, horseshoe pits, a street hockey rink, and a small skate (or bike) park, too! This is a great place to go with your stroller, scooters, snacks, kids, and pups to enjoy a fun morning or afternoon at the park!
Great Neck Park aka Pirate Park :: Ipswich
If you ask any parent who lives in or near Ipswich what their favorite playground is, they will likely mention “Pirate Park” in their top three. As the playground’s nickname indicates, this park has a pirate ship play area that kids from toddlers to elementary age will love. In addition to the playground itself, there are soccer nets, a basketball court, and a paved walking trail for the whole family.
Stage Fort Park + Beach :: Gloucester
Gloucester is the perfect place for a day trip, no matter where you live in Boston. And this park is one to include in any North Shore adventure! Stage Fort is a historic park on the site of Gloucester’s first settlers in 1623. It has play space, a dog park, a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, restrooms (!!!), a restaurant, and a beach! There are plenty of picnic tables, and Gloucester has many wonderful places to grab food for a park picnic. During the summer season you may find there are outdoor concerts, fireworks, and storytelling events for children, festivals, farmers markets, and several other events.
