— Zilker Park
Austinites adore Zilker Metropolitan Park! Located near Barton Springs Pool, the playground is great for kids of many ages and boasts fun climbing structures, swings, built-in musical play features, and an antique fire engine to climb on for fun pretend play. And of course, it’s exciting to wave to the Zilker Zephyr mini train as it runs right through the playground.

Zilker Park Playground

— Mueller Lake Park
This East Austin neighborhood park across from the Thinkery includes really unique play structures with a very modern-design. Kids love to climb and slide in this fenced-in park. It’s also adjacent to a little lake where you can feed the ducks and take a stroll.

Mueller Lake Park

— Roy G. Guerrero Park
This enclosed playground has many nature-themed climbing structures for kids of all ages. You’ll find a mini tightrope to walk across. And the playscape for little kids features fun, interactive buttons that play nature sounds.

Roy G. Guerrero Park

— Bee Cave Central Park
This park includes multiple play structures as well as tube drums and pipes for musical play. There are great walking trails, and basketball courts, too.

Bee Cave Central Park

Best in the ‘Burbs: These two parks were frequently recommended by readers! Even though they are not within Austin City Limits, they are well worth a short drive outside of town to check out.

— Elizabeth Milburn Community Park
Elizabeth Milburn park in Cedar Park consists of 42.4 acres and offers a playground, picnic shelters, barbecue pits, a walking & jogging trail, a basketball court, tennis courts, washer pits, soccer fields, a community garden, a recreational BMX track and a new rock climbing wall.

Elizabeth Milburn Park

— Play for All Abilities
The park in Round Rock includes 51,000 square feet of outdoor fun for children of all abilities. This large gated park includes a variety of play opportunities designed to stimulate and encourage the development of several skill sets such as gross and fine motor skills, social interaction, sense of discovery, creativity and strengthening exercises.

Play for All Abilities Park

For the Multi-taskers: When you want to do your shopping and keep the kids entertained, there are some terrific places to go in the Austin area! Here are a few of your top picks:

— Central Market North Lamar
Central Market has a lovely shady playground with multiple structures for various ages. Next to the cafe, this playground is a great spot for causally relaxing and having a bite to eat while the kids play.

Central Market

— Southpark Meadows
Southpark Meadows is a shopping destination in South Austin with over 90 stores and restaurants. it features an oak-tree filled central park where visitors can enjoy live music, let the kids have fun on the large playscape, and cool off in the interactive water fountain.

Southpark Meadows

— Whole Foods Rooftop Downtown
Perched atop the Whole Foods downtown location, you’ll find a nice, little playground with city views. Parents can enjoy a coffee break or snack and catch up with friends while the kids play. It’s a great little hidden gem that makes shopping just a little bit more enjoyable.

Whole Foods