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RELATED: 13 Brain-Boosting Playgrounds in NYC

1. Heckscher Playground

Mid-park between 61st and 63rd Streets
Heckscher Park isn't just my favorite playground in Central Park; it's my favorite in all of NYC. If there's one park we always take visitors to, it's this one. Beloved by generations of city kids, Heckscher has separate play areas for kids big and little, tons of water features in the hot months (including a stream that seemingly flows from the rocks above!), and even some old-school slides and swings. Even when the weather isn't warm enough for water play, there's plenty of sand on the toddler side of the park, and the pyramids make for fun, challenging climbing spots. Eventually, your kids will find their way to Umpire Rock and beg to climb all the way to the top; consider following them for the sweet bird's-eye view of the playground and the whole southern end of Central Park.

Parents can lounge in the shade while kids run wild at Ancient Playground.

2. Ancient Playground

85th Street at Fifth Avenue
Ancient Playground sits adjacent to The Met, and makes for a great way to blow off steam before or after a trip to the iconic museum. Its pyramid structure style mirrors that of Heckscher, but there are also tons of other draws, including water, sand, bridges, tire swings, a stream in summer months, and a whopping nine slides ranging from twisty to tunnel to tandem. Major bonus points for the well-maintained restroom on-site, too.

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The fast granite slide at Billy Johnson Playground is legendary.

3. Billy Johnson Playground

67th Street at Fifth Avenue
While the name may not ring a bell, you've probably heard of the playground with the giant, curving, speedy, granite slide that kids love to race down at even faster speeds by sitting on cardboard that seems to always litter the base of the attraction. Thanks to a recent renovation, the rest of the space got a facelift. The big slide was untouched, and a second more mild one, which is also accessible to those with disabilities, was added. There's also a new swing area, an improved water feature, and a custom-designed rope climber to conquer.

Margaret L. Kempner Playground got a huge overhaul in 2019 making it an action-packed, all-ages destination playground. 

4. Margaret L. Kempner Playground

96th Street at Fifth Avenue
Central Park has been steadily renovating its playgrounds over the past several years, and I was blown away by the transformation at this popular play spot. Its proximity to the Reservoir and East Meadow made it a popular destination, but now its destination-worthy on its own. Its dated play features—installed in 1994—were replaced by two new climbing structures on opposite ends of the playground for different age groups. Sandwiched in between is a brand new sprayground and plenty of seating for adults. It's a great place for a birthday party, too, thanks to a section at the south end with picnic tables where you can set up your spread.

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Hit the sprinklers, slides, swings, and more at the East 110th Street Playground. 

5. East 110th Street Playground

110th Street at Lenox Avenue
We are frequent visitors to this playground my kids affectionately call "chunky monkey" for the large columns of wood that make up the perimeter of the jungle gym. Set up in a series of inter-connecting circular play areas, there's a fun water space as you enter, which gives way to the large jungle gym, followed by separate areas with tire swings and strap swings, and the whole playground is surrounded by lush landscaping. The giant old trees were preserved when the playground was renovated, so it's a nice shady spot on a hot day. Rock walls separate the main play areas from a landscaped, wood-chipped pathway and kids love to get lost in this urban jungle. It can be a little hard to track them down and hustle them out when playtime is over. I've also known some kids to climb the wall bordering the playground and end up on 110th Street, so if your kid's an escape artist, be wary of that exit opportunity.

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There's plenty of room for adventure at the Wild West Playground. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

6. Tarr-Coyne Wild West Playground

93rd Street at Central Park West
Giddy-up and gallop over to this western-themed spot. The playground is laid out in a series of "forts" for kids to climb on, all reminding me a bit of the Lincoln Logs of my youth, in life-sized form. There's tons of sand for digging, and a modest sprinkler fills a stream that traverses the play space.

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Tarr-Coyne Tots Playground is a popular spot for Upper Westside kids. Photo courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy

7. Tarr-Coyne Tots Playground

68th Street just east of Central Park West
This recently remodeled spot offers a great play experience dedicated to the park's youngest visitors. There is plenty of sand, both to sit in and play in at handicapped-accessible sand tables. Plenty of swing sets dot the perimeter, and there are tons of shapes for busy toddlers to climb over or sit on. A sprinkler was also added, ensuring little ones have the same fun you'll find at the big-kid playgrounds nearby.

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Tarr Family Playground has it all—sand, water, tot spots, and magnificent climbing structures for big kids.

8. Tarr Family Playground

100th Street at Central Park West
We were just outside this playground when my son took his first steps in 2006, and though much of the playground was remodeled in 2009, the giant pyramid with speedy slides still remains. Around it, there's a new jungle gym, a pair of rope climbers, and plenty of sand. A bridge runs from near the playground's entrance to the aforementioned pyramid, where kids can reach the top by climbing the ladder inside, or go straight up the sides, thanks to some indentations in the concrete structure. There's a separate sand area for little kids, complete with a water spout, and a fun sprinkler area where a circle of jets shoots friendly, arching sprays at revelers.

This post, originally published in September 2017, has since been updated.

Unless noted, all photos by the author