Favorite Todder Playgrounds in London

London’s biggest selling point for parents living or traveling here has to be the impressive amount of big, green parks and numerous playgrounds great for toddlers. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to spend a day in London without encountering one of its many beautiful parks or gardens. There is really no other city quite like London in this regard. While it’s quite difficult to narrow it down to just a few of my favorite toddler playgrounds in London, here are my top picks:

The Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens

The Princess Diana Memorial Playground located in the centre of Kensington Gardens, adjacent to the palace, is certainly a popular playground for both locals and tourists. Known to the local mums as the ‘pirate ship’, the big, enclosed playground has a giant wooden pirate ship inside a large sand pit in the middle of the playground. There are swings for bigger kids as well as for babies, and there’s a special area just for toddlers. There’s also a little café and a few picnic tables so you can enjoy a lunch in the playground in nicer weather.

Parliament Hill Playground, Hampstead Heath

Parliament Hill Playground, which is located at the bottom of Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, is enormous and newly renovated. There are plenty of toys, both for older and younger kids, it has a giant sand pit, and many new and fun structures. In the summertime, there’s a large paddling pool adjacent, where kids can splash and play in the water.  You can also walk up the hill to the top of ‘kite hill’ where you’ll find other families out flying kites from one of London’s highest points. A trip to Hampstead Heath will certainly not disappoint.

Coram’s Fields, central London

Coram’s Fields is conveniently located in central London next to the British Museum and St. Pancras train station and other tourist destinations. This unique 7-acre park is home to grassy lawns (perfect for a picnic), sandpits, a few different playgrounds, a paddling pool (opened in the summer time), a kid-friendly café, and even a little city farm (sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, etc.). The gated lot provides a safe place for children to run freely and play; adults without children are not allowed to enter. An entire city block devoted just to kids? This is why I love London!

Primrose Hill Playground, near Regent’s Park

Primrose Hill Playground, located at the bottom of Primrose Hill and just north of Regent’s Park is a favorite hang-out for many of London’s celebrity parents: Jude Law and his kids, and Gwen Stefani and family are local faces here. The playground has all the sorts of toys and structures kids like, there are kiddie toilets inside the playground, and a little ice cream/coffee stand adjacent. Primrose Hill is another great spot to visit while in London. The London Zoo is also nearby.

Paddington Street Playground, Marylebone

What I love about the Paddington Street Playground is that it’s so well hidden behind the busy streets of Marylebone that it feels like a secret once you’re there. It’s small, but charming, and you can easily stop there for a quick picnic or play while exploring one of my favorite streets in London: Marylebone High Street. I love to grab a sandwich from one of the many great cafés along the high street and then tuck back into the park to let the kids play before venturing off once again!

Courtney writes for Babyccino from London.

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