The Joy Troupe NOVA Family Guide
Northern Virginia Family Fun
The Jones Point Park playground is cute, safe, and fun and the park is a great destination for picnics or family recreation for all ages. Stroller friendly trail, interactive learning features, and two playgrounds to choose from.
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The Lake Accotink Park playground is located near the carousel and the marina. There are restrooms and ample parking. The playground surface is mulch. It is not fully enclosed, but it is far enough from the road that you should be able to catch a runner before they hit the street, and the picnic areas (including reservable areas for parties) are adjacent to the playground.
There is also a good, sandy beach for you kiddo who loves to dig, and the park trail goes right by the playground if you want to plan your hike so you can take a break for some play.
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To get to Reston North Park, go to the Home Depot (The Home Depot, 1651 Reston Pkwy, Reston, VA 20194) and the park is behind the store. This is one of …
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Mount Vernon Manor Park is located at 8600 Falkstone Ln Alexandria, VA 22309.There are several entrances into the park, none of which appear to pose a traffic hazard. The park …
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My kids are nuts about the train themed play structure and also enjoyed the variety of slides available. The size of the slides and climbing equipment mean that this playground is probably best geared toward younger kids. If you have mixed age kids, there is ample green space for frisbee or other active games right next to the playground.
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If it weren’t for the lack of restroom facilities of any kind, this would be my new favorite place. Conveniently located near Kings Highway and not far from Lee District park, this is 14 acres of woodsy, attractive park land. The playground is adorable, and my toddler loved it because, in addition to the high slides and the climbers for bigger kids, it had some low steps and a small slide that were just right for him. There are a couple of high-ish dropoffs you’ll want to watch if you do this park with a toddler, but they are easy to guard from the ground and there are no tight corners to navigate if you want to supervise from the top.
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This small, neighborhood playground has street parking and is far from the road, but not enclosed. There are no restrooms. Plenty of room to run and enough climbing equipment to entertain kids for a bit. There are some moderately high (but not unreasonable) drop-offs. Playground surface is mulch and the play area is not shaded.
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The playground is themed with woodland details, and the equipment is both challenging and fun. There are some fairly uncommon climbing toys that were new to my kid. (As you may have noticed, he gets to go to a lot of playgrounds, so that’s saying something.) There are four benches for parent seating, the parking is ample and fairly close, and the restrooms are not far off. We were there on a weekday afternoon. Aside from a few sort-of busy periods, we had the place to ourselves. If you get bored on the playground, there is the covered observation deck by the restrooms (I’m told you can spot eagles from that vantage point) and, of course, throwing rocks in the river from the beach to extend your fun.
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If you’ve got a kid who likes to run up the slide, take them to Windmill Hill to have a go at the climbing hill. In fact, climbers, clamberers, and shinniers of all descriptions will love this playground. The climbing hill separates the enclosed playground into two areas- one suitable for toddlers, and one meant for pre-K and up.
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Parkhurst Park
5820 20th Rd. N.
Arlington, VA 22205
Playground has rubber surface underfoot and is completely fenced. No restrooms. The equipment is appropriate for young toddlers on up. Parking is on-street, no meters. Not shady.
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Mulch surface, not enclosed, fairly near the road on a cul-de-sac. Moderately travelled at rush hour. Benches, no shade. Swings, slides, monkey bars, speaking tubes, climbing apparatus. Looking for more …
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