Looking for the best playgrounds in Calgary?! We’re on the hunt for the most exciting and unique playgrounds in the city. This is a growing list of our favourites…
Bugtopia at The Calgary Zoo
Bugtopia at the Calgary Zoo is by far the best playground in Calgary (in our humble opinion). It is a larger than life, nature-inspired play space.
At the centre of the park is the massive tree stump. Climb the stairs up the centre of the stump to access several rope bridges & tall, twisty slides.
There are also several bug-themed climbing features, including a spider web & honey comb. For the younger kids, there is a smaller climbing structure with a roller slide. And all around the playground are giant bugs & mushrooms to sit on.
We also love the interactive panels throughout the playground that teach us all about bugs!!
Note that because this playground is located at the zoo, there is a cost to visit. But we think it is worth it!
Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7V6
For more information about Bugtopia, click here.
4th Ave Flyover Park
Flyover Park is an amazing urban playground in Calgary. The playground has won awards for its use of a space that was once forgotten – under the 4th Ave flyover in Bridgeland! We also love the creative features that exist at this park, making it one of Calgary’s most unique playgrounds.
Our personal favourites are the tandem swing, ‘surf swing’, and huge roller slide built into the side of the hill. The park is also amazing for all ages, as older children and adults will enjoy the ping pong table, playing ladder ball, and tether ball!!
On top of all that, there is beautiful artwork on the walls, which makes the space even more inviting. This one is definitely a must-visit playground in Calgary!
Address: 651 McDougall Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 4Z7
For more information about Flyover Park, click here.
Prairie Winds Park
Like the Flyover Park, Prairie Winds is another unique Calgary playground. This playground features a super long, double zipline, two slides built into the hillside, a running bowl , pendulum swing and a dutch disc.
When we first arrived to this park, Adelaide said “there isn’t much to do here”, but it only took a few moments before she was completely immersed in her play. And an hour later when it was time to leave, we had to peel her away. This playground is very different from any playground we’ve seen in Calgary, but it is a truly engaging, play-inspiring space & we love it.
Address: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary, AB T3J 1P6
For more information about Prairie Winds Park, click here.
Brainasium at Telus Spark Science Centre
This list would not be complete without including The Brainasium at Telus Spark. At the centre of this epic Calgary playground is the enormous 10 metre tall climbing structure and tube slide. This is probably the most recognizable feature at Brainasium, but it’s only the beginning of the fun to be had.
The Brainasium also includes a giant 6-person teeter totter, climbing structure shaped like a giant molecule, musical features like a giant xylophone, super tall swings and an Albertosaurus made of scrap metal.
For the littlest scientists there is a tiny climbing wall and slide built into the hillside. And we especially love the plaques posted throughout the playground that explain the science behind the play features.
Entry to the Brainasium does require paying admission to Telus Spark Science Centre. But, much like Bugtopia at the Calgary Zoo, we think it is well worth it!
Address: 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary, AB T2E 5T2
For more information about Brainasium at Telus Spark, click here.
Airport Playground in Currie Barracks
The airport playground in Currie Barracks has some really unique features that make this park one of the most fun playgrounds in Calgary. This is especially true if you have a kid who loves airplanes!
The airport playground has a cool airplane climber, little airplane bouncers and a ’runway’ that provides tons of space to run. We also love the tall climbing structure with slides, wavy rock wall climber, carousel and swings!
Address: 3951 Trasimene Crescent SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7J6
Shouldice Park
The accessible playground at Shouldice Park is huge and SO fun. There are several slides of all sizes and types (toddler, twisty, roller, etc), a variety of swings including a cool face-to-face one and tons of ramps, bridges and monkey bars intertwined into one large structure.
We also love that this park has lots of musical instruments including chimes and drums, and a really cute toddler structure with a little ramp for cars (bring your own hot wheels for this one!)
Paved paths alongside the river and surrounding the playground make this a great spot for riding scooters and balance bikes! We also love that the flooring is soft/rubbery and that there are lots of picnic tables in between the playground and river, making this a great spot to spend the day with the whole family!
Address: 4900 Monserrat Dr NW, Calgary, AB T3B 1H9
Livingston Park
Livingston Park is a small neighbourhood playground in Northwest Calgary. The most exciting feature at this park is the three story climbing structure with two slides, including a super tall, twisty slide from the top of the structure.
We also love the zipline, saucer swing & fun climbing features, like the rock wall. This playground is a great little hidden gem that’s worth a visit!
Address: 35 Lucas Cres NW, Calgary, AB T3P 1M7
Northwest Commons Park
Northwest Commons Park in the University District is home to a huge, accessible playground. The best park of this playground is all of the rocket-themed climbing structures. There is a rocket shaped climbing tower, rocket shaped toddler climber and huge, unique rope bridges that lead to a nest/lookout at the top.
If you’ve got a kid who loves to climb, they will be very happy at this park! We also love the face-to-face swings, roller slide and side-by-side tall slides. This is another Calgary playground gem that will not disappoint!
Address: Thirsk St NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8
For more information about this park, click here.
Have another favourite playground that we should add to this list?! We would love to hear from you!!