As previously requested, here’s a list of our top 10 favorite Raleigh playgrounds! At least so far, there’s always more exploring to do! 😉

These are in no particular order, but we have pulled from throughout the surrounding Raleigh area as well!

Pullen Park

Despite the drama it causes in July as half of Raleigh tries to get Holiday Express tickets, Pullen Park is a wonderful park to visit. There are nice playgrounds and beautiful landscaping. The kids can ride the carousel, train, and boats for minimal ticket prices. There’s also an onsite cafe to purchase food and ice cream. It’s a kid’s wonderland and perfect to visit any time of year!

Read our full review of Pullen Park here.

Brier Creek

This park is absolutely my favorite for the youngest of playground goers. The play equipment is low to the ground and the rubberized surface makes this easy for toddlers to navigate. The drawback is that there’s no shade, so perhaps avoid this spot in the summer. The good news is that there’s no mulch or sand for your little one to put in their mouth! It’s under 2 miles away from Brier Creek Commons, where you can do a bit of shopping or grab a bite to eat while you are out and about.

Read our full review of Brier Creek Park here.

Forest Ridge Park

Forest Ridge Park is definitely a favorite of most of my mom friends. There’s a couple picnic shelters right next to the playground so it’s a hot spot for birthday parties. There are two separate playground structures on a rubberized surface, with swings and dinosaur bouncers spread throughout. The main attraction is by far the zip line, and you will see kids on it constantly!

Read our full review of Forest Ridge here.

Jack Smith Park

It was a close tie between Jack Smith and Marla Dorrel Park for our favorite park in Cary. Jack Smith wins because of the splash pad and unique sheep structures, but definitely check out Marla Dorrel for their misting garden and large dragon sculpture!

Pack a lunch and plan to stay a few hours here, there’s plenty to do. My kids refer to this one as the “sheep playground” and although we are not close to it, it is still a family favorite that we drive to on occasion.Jack Smith Park is only about 3 miles from Waverly place, where you will find another splash pad/playground as well as shopping and dining.

Read our full review of Jack Smith Park here.

Sassafras All Children’s Playground

Sassafras at Laurel Hills is by far the biggest playground in Raleigh, plus the equipment is accessible for all abilities. There are unique additions like a zip line that every child loves, plus a small corn “maze” and play hut. It’s definitely worth checking out, but I’ll say that I love this playground for one-on-one time with my kids. It’s pretty stressful if you have multiple kids running in different directions. It wins the award for “helicopter parent’s worst nightmare” !

However, since it is a wheelchair accessible playground there are ramp entries to the equipment that are easy for young toddlers to maneuver. Just bring your running shoes!

Read our full review of this amazing playground here.

Rolesville Main Street Park

Head north and visit this adorable park in Rolesville. There’s two large separate playgrounds, a nice little walking path, and exercise equipment spread throughout. Covered picnic areas and some tree shade make this a park to visit any time of the year. If you visit in August you can swing by the vineyard up the road for a little Muscadine Grape Picking!

Read our full review of Main Street Park here.

Eastgate Park

If you’re looking for a shady place to play, this is your playground! This park is completely shaded by trees, there’s equipment for both older and younger children, plus it’s completely fenced and gated! We LOVE it here! It can get busy because it’s one of the best playgrounds to visit in the hot summer months. Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of space for parking so you may have to park on the side of the street and walk up.

If this were a High School yearbook competition I would vote this playground “Best all around”. Eastgate park has so many trees that you feel secluded, although you are very close to Wake Forest Road. This park is also less than two miles from adorable North Hills shopping center, where you will find a variety of shopping and dining in a quaint village-like atmosphere. They also host lots of events for kids during the summer and over the holidays.

Read our full review of Eastgate Park here.

Knightdale Station Park

For all the kids who love animals and farms, Knightdale station is a must for your playground bucket list! This lovely park is also home to the expression swing, a parent/child swing combo that I think should be available at every playground. I have spent HOURS pushing my children on swings when they were younger. This swing would have been a great break to the sometimes mundane task. I think this playground is worth a bit of a drive based on it’s uniqueness.

Read our full review of Knightdale Station Park here.

Abbott’s Creek

Rubberized surface, fully gated and covered by sunshades. Sounds nice, right? It’s small and perfect for kids three and under. There are baby swings and a small slide for the younger crowd, and a bit more complex climbing equipment for older children. I’ve been here several times and generally it’s not very crowded. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, grab a stroller and walk over to nearby Green Hills County Park to its playground. The walk is less than a mile since they added a short greenway between Abbott’s Creek Community Center and Green Hills (formerly landfill park).

Abbott’s Creek wins the award for “Perfect park for lazy parenting”. Grab a coffee, take a seat on a bench, and let your little ones burn off some of their endless energy. This playground gives the rare opportunity for a parent to just take a moment to breathe.

Read our full review of Abbott’s Creek here.

Rainbow Playroom

Rainbow playroom gets my vote for the best indoor playground. Although a close second is the indoor playspace at Historic Oak View Park, and honorable mention for the free Greystone Recreation Center. Rainbow playroom isn’t free, but for me it’s certainly worth a few dollars to burn off some of my kids energy on a rainy day. It’s a great place for hosting birthday parties as well. We have packed a picnic lunch and literally spent HOURS here. It’s also a great place for lazy parenting. Be sure to check out the showroom of furniture and home playground equipment if you happen to be in the market.

Let us know in the comments – Which park is your favorite?