Playgrounds in the Seattle region receive shade for the scorching summer days ahead.
With the summer heat upon us, finding the perfect playground for children to enjoy while staying cool and protected from the sun is essential. Here are some of the best shaded playgrounds in the Puget Sound area that offer a combination of shade, kid-friendly amenities, and cooling features.
First on our list is **Northacres Park** in Seattle, which features a big kid area with some shade, as well as a splash park for cooling off. Another great option is **West Woodland Park**, offering shaded play areas to escape the sun. **Salmon Bay Park** in Ballard provides shaded spots for play, while **Wallingford Playfield** offers a basket swing and sand pit with shade.
For those seeking a scenic park with shaded areas, **Ella Bailey Park** in Magnolia is a must-visit. If you're looking for a lesser-known hidden gem, **Kayu Kayu Ac Park** in Shoreline offers some shade and good views. **Dockton Park** on Vashon Island and **Westcrest Park** in West Seattle also include shaded playgrounds rated for summer use.
These parks combine shaded play structures or natural tree cover with additional cooling features like splash pads in some cases, making them ideal for the Puget Sound summer heat. For example, splash parks, like at Northacres Park, are especially helpful for keeping kids cool. In general, opting for parks with mature tree cover, built shade structures, or water features will best help protect kids from sun and heat during outdoor play.
If you want a spot with water views, some parks like Dockton Park and Ella Bailey Park offer nice Puget Sound views along with shaded play. Meanwhile, Carkeek Park is highlighted for its natural beauty and shaded trails, but its beach is rocky rather than swim-friendly, so it’s better for sightseeing than splash play.
In the heart of Olde Town Issaquah, **Veterans' Memorial Field** offers multiple pieces of equipment for older and younger kids, including slides, a rock wall, a tunnel, and a climbing sphere with a web of ropes. Nearby, **Boehm's Candies & Chocolates** offers locally made chocolate with European flare and a beautiful, shady outdoor garden.
On Mercer Island, **Miner's Corner's playground** is designed to be inclusive and wheelchair-accessible, with ramps to the 10-foot-tall lookout tower. **Deane's Children's Park**, locally known as "Dragon Park", features a 45-foot-long dragon slide and climbing structure, dense trees for shade, and two playgrounds with rock-climbing challenges and a castle-themed structure.
In Lynnwood, the playground at **Lincoln Park** includes swings, a basket swing, a bridge, a firefighter's pole, slides, climbing equipment, a sand pit, and a zip line located under the canopy of trees. A small, free parking lot is close to the playground. Nearby, **Bent Burgers** offers specialty burgers and kids combo meals.
**Lewis Creek Park** in Bellevue is an expansive park with a play area that is not shaded by trees, but has large sail covers to keep off the elements. **Lynndale Park**, located in a beautiful forested area, offers a tire swing, rings, slides, challenging balance equipment, and a shaded picnic area. It also has a basketball court, an off-leash area for dogs, and adjacent tennis courts and wooded walking trails.
On the eastside, **Miner's Corner county park** in Bothell offers a shady playground with a three-story climbing structure, rocks to scale, bridges, swings, a fire pole, a spiral slide, sensory and musical equipment, and a sand and water garden.
In West Seattle, **Lincoln Park** offers a shaded playground located in a wooded setting of Northwest trees, offering age-appropriate play equipment for children up to 12 years old. Nearby, **Zeeks Pizza** is a family-friendly restaurant with tables and space for kids.
**Edmonds City Park**, Edmonds offers natural spaces, a large playground with climbing options, slides, and rock walls, a spray park, and several covered shelters for respite. It also has stand-alone swings and a merry-go-round. The parking lot for the park is adjacent to the playground. Nearby, **Corina Bakery** offers chocolate chip cookies, gluten-free cookies and brownies, vegan pies and cookies.
In Tacoma, **Wright Park** has a W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory and offers shade, walking and biking trails, a spray park, play structures, picnic tables, and a 600-tree arboretum. Parking is available on the street near the park.
Lastly, **Seward Park** in Seattle offers a shaded playground adjacent to Lake Washington, with a swimming area for cooling off. The parking lot for the park is adjacent to the playground. Nearby, **The Texan Cafe & Coffee Shop** offers a 2-4 p.m. happy hour with discounted coffee, sodas, energy drinks, and cookies.
These playgrounds offer a fun and refreshing way to beat the summer heat while keeping children safe and entertained. So, pack a picnic, grab your sunscreen, and head out to one of these fantastic playgrounds today!
- Babies and toddlers can enjoy the shaded play areas at West Woodland Park, while older kids might appreciate the challenging structures at Veterans' Memorial Field in Olde Town Issaquah.
- For families who love fashion-and-beauty, a visit to Boehm's Candies & Chocolates near Veterans' Memorial Field is a must, offering locally made chocolates and a beautiful shady outdoor garden.
- After a day of playing at Lewis Creek Park in Bellevue, families can enjoy a delicious meal at Zeeks Pizza, a family-friendly restaurant with tables and space for kids.
- Food-and-drink options near Seward Park in Seattle include The Texan Cafe & Coffee Shop, offering a happy hour with discounted drinks and cookies from 2-4 p.m.
- In the heart of a beautiful forested area, Lynndale Park provides a tire swing, challenging balance equipment, a shaded picnic area, and adjacent tennis courts and wooded walking trails, making it an ideal spot for a family outing.
