This post highlights the best DC playgrounds in DC, as well as Maryland and Northern Virginia. I have three young kids and my husband Zach is a teacher, so we spend almost all summer at playgrounds in the DMV. I’ve made this list of my top 3 favorite playgrounds in the DMV – one in DC, one in Maryland, and one in Northern Virginia.

Not all playgrounds are created equally. Some things I look for with a “good” playground include ample shade, uniqueness, other attractions (i.e. carousels or trains), areas to picnic, and more. This list includes all of those things!

Best DC Playgrounds

Beauvoir Playground | Washington, D.C.

3500 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016

Up first is Beauvoir Playground as part of the National Cathedral Elementary School. I love a lot of things about this playground. First, it encompasses a large area and is all closed in. It has spots in shade and in sun. I think what makes it unique is the equipment is has. The Beauvoir playground has really cool wooden structures (kind of like tree houses), and a zip line that my kids LOVE. There are also some great slides and sandboxes.

We like to stop at Bishop’s Garden, the beautiful English garden of the National Cathedral first and then make our way to Beauvoir. There is even an Open City coffee shop outside Bishop’s Garden so you can get sone caffeine before heaving into the gardens.

The only downside to Beauvoir is that it is only accessible outside of school hours, so it’s perfect for going after school, on weekends, and in summertime.

The Wizard of Oz Playground | Maryland

Watkins Regional Park, Kettering, MD 20774

Next up is the Wizard of Oz playground in Watkins Regional Park. We love this playground! It’s all decked out in Wizard of Oz design! You first walk on the yellow brick road under a rainbow into a shaded playground with equipment for kids of all ages. There are some picnic tables that you can enjoy snacks or a packed lunch at while the kids play.

What makes this playground even better is that there is a train, mini golf, and carousel! You can literally spend an entire morning here.

Clemyjontri Park | Virginia

6317 VA-193, McLean, VA 22101

Clemyjontri Park is another amazing DC-area playground. It’s HUGE – it feels like it just keeps going and going! Some of Clemyjontri Park’s coolest features are that it has a maze, a carousel, picnic tables, and a lot of the equipment is accessible for those in wheelchairs.

I would say the only downside to Clemyjontri is that it IS really big – so it’s easy for kids to wander to equipment away from you. All in all, it is totally worth the trip!

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