Where do you take your kids to let them explore and release some energy: the playground of course! Try one of these or do what I did and do a playground tour. I like to go in the morning and bring some big towels to soak up the morning dew.
Public school playgrounds are open after 5:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Lebanon
Colburn Park
An excellent little play area for your littlest ones. My one year old loves this. Two little houses with all sorts of hands-on activities. Make noises, spin wheels, go through tunnels. There’s also swings. Places to picnic and sit.
Eldridge Park.
This great playground next to the CCBA Includes things to spin and wiggle on, slides, and more. Basketball and tennis courts nearby, plus more jungle gyms along the CCBA river walk.
Riverside Park
One of my favorite parks. This has a covered pavilion with picnic tables, a tunnel, climbing area, skatepark, and two play areas to keep your kids having fun for a long while. You can also take a short walk along the river too. This only shows one of the playing areas.
Civic Memorial Park. A great place for all ages off of Seminary Hill in W. Lebanon: pavilion, grill, baseball and basketball areas, tennis court, and more.
Hanover
Ray School
Two massive playgrounds at the elementary school on Reservoir Road (see featured image). The ultimate playground experience in the Upper Valley. The smaller playground has a tunnel, slide, monkey bars, and chimes. There’s also a multi-level plastic basketball hoop (which my son would love). The bigger playground has multiple tunnels and lots of places to explore and wander. Great for all ages. Picnic tables and places to sit for parents.
Etna playground
At the corner of Ruddsboro Rd and Etna road on Costello Field. This playground was loving put together and sponsored by the community. It is a climbing kid’s dream with at least five places to scramble up: a wide rope ladder, fun twisty ladder, monkey bars and three more metal climbing ladders. Of course there are your traditional slides too.
Tenney Park. With slides and a twisty climbing wall, this playground on Brook Rd. is fun for older kids.
Dagmar’s Place. This playground is at the intersection of Valley Rd. and Chase Rd. It is a pocket park playground with a couple swings, a slide and play structure.
Hartford
Lyman Point Park
This is a great little playground. It has little and big slides, monkey bars for older kids and things to spin for little kids. There are picnic tables too.
Quechee Green Park
This park on the green has a nice sized playground, a great loop walk around the green, and a large field to play in.
Erwin Clifford Park. This park has a pavilion, grills, massive field to play in, water access, and a nice playground for kids.
Watson Memorial Park. Maple St. in WRJ. This park has picnic tables, a playground, and water access.
George Ratcliffe Park. Latham Works Lane in WRJ. Sports fields, playground, picnic tables, and water access. Another great park to explore.
Meeting House Common. Center of Town Road WRJ. Picnic table and playground.
Norwich
Marion Cross Elementary School
A large, mostly shaded playground behind the green. Slides, monkey bars, bridges, mini rock climbing and benches for parents. There’s a separate area for the swings and basketball courts. There’s also the green for a large open space to play.
Other Playgrounds and Places to Play
Elizabeth Park
The best playground ever in Bradford, VT! It’s the biggest play structure I’ve ever seen! Bring a picnic and spend the day. You can see more pictures here.
Fore-U Ice Cream
This has a shaded play area.
Nathan’s Garden has a large wooden swing and a sand pit with toys. You can learn more here.
Enfield. Huse Park., Wilder. Frost Park. Grantham. Grantham Village School and the playground by Farmer’s Table to the left of the barn. See this hilarious video of a kid enjoying one of Grantham’s playgrounds. Looks like a great playground for me to go find. Plainfield School.
Storrs Pond is great for all ages. Swings, pool, courts for sports, splash pad, and more.
Vail Field in Woodstock. South 106 from Route 4. Has a swing, tennis courts, and baseball.
For more places to stay the day and play lawn games, sports or just have fun with the kids, try Places to Picnic and Grill and Beaches and Places to Swim.
2 Comments
What is the name of the park you used in the very first image? The picture you used right after the title? and where is it?
Dear Rosalie,
That’s the playground at the Ray School in Hanover. It’s awesome! It’s on the way to Storrs Pond.