The nature play area encourages kids to be curious about natural materials, native plants, and the ecosystem. There’s also an all-wooden playground with swings and a castle-like climbing tower. Explore winding paths through the community gardens and cool off in the water sprays with dancing bear sculptures.

Located in the Old Irving Park neighborhood, this newer playground has zipline swings, a rope climbing web, and slides. Nearby there’s park fieldhouse with bathrooms, an indoor swimming pool, a party room, and gym.

Urban architecture firm Site Design transformed this northern Lakeview park with colorful play berms, wavy slides, creative play structures, climbing logs, and an adventure path. The air-conditioned fieldhouse has a swimming pool, gym, and a few clubrooms for rent.

This Wizard of Oz-themed park features an all wooden playground. At Dorothy’s playlot in Lincoln Park there are wooden climbing play structures, slides, and spring riders. Around the park search with your little ones for statues of characters like the Cowardly Lion and Toto.

In Bucktown, the mini playlot park is surrounded by mature trees which makes it great for small children. New features of this playground include soft play surfaces, a sculptural flower water spray, swings, picnic tables, a sandbox, and flower gardens.

There are two play spaces here—the outdoor Play and Grow garden and the Children’s Garden inside the conservatory. Outside kids can make music on a wooden xylophone or walk the tree stump obstacle course. Inside the conservatory, families can walk a meandering path with interactive exhibits and chances to learn about the environment.

If you’re in search of a new adventure playground, Maggie Daley is has it all. The massive play garden downtown has different themed area that features a custom-built ship, spiral slides, a water spray area with sea animals, a suspension bridge, and a play pyramid. Outside the play area, families can try rock climbing or roller skate around the winding ribbon path.

In the West Loop, little ones can cool off in the geometric archway which sprays cool mist on a hot day. The playground is just on the other side and comes with climbing nets, stepping stones, tube slides, bridges, and swings.

Near McCormick Place, this pocket park comes with a rocky, prairie-style water spay area, silver slides, climbing ropes, bright orange and green play houses. There’s also a dog park with long running path and pool.