Favorite Playgrounds for Babies & Toddlers

There are soooo many great playgrounds in Seattle but not all are really ideal for babies and toddlers. Parks with baby swings and/or smaller toddler-size climbing apparatuses can be challenging to find. Unfortunately Seattle Park's webpage doesn't indicate which parks are best for the two and under crowd so I wanted to post a list of the parks I've found so far:

East Queen Anne Playfield - a cozy neighborhood playfield with a wonderful wading pool that is just the right size for toddlers and infants.  There are benches all around the wading area so you can sit and watch your children play.  There is also plenty of shade in summer in the water area but the play equipment can get pretty hot.

West Queen Anne Playfield - this park offers both a full sized play area with slides and climbing areas as well as a separate toddler sized one.  There is  a sandbox, baby and regular swings and a merry-go-round.  The ground is soft and bouncy so it is a very safe place for new walkers.  This park was recently remodeled and is an exceptional spot to come with babies and toddlers.

Magnolia Playground - Located in one of the safest areas in Seattle, this park offers endless options for babies and toddlers, ranging from toddler sized play equipment, regular sized play equipment, baby & toddler swings, spinning chairs, a sandbox and more.  In summer it is not unusual for different children's performers to give free concerts in the park. 

Green Lake Playground - this very popular park offers lots of options for toddlers, babies and older children and is close to the community center which offers an indoor play room for infants as well.  It offers climbing structures, swings, and a wading pool with views of the lake.  Set alongside of beautiful Green Lake, this park is very popular and can get a little crowded.  However, with lovely walks around Green Lake, an nearby indoor play area, tons of coffee shops and ice cream parlors and great people watching, this is a great playground to keep both children and parents entertained.

Madison Park Playground - What's not to love about a playground with a zip line, tons of slides that are easily accessible by toddlers (it's amazing how many playgrounds make getting to the slides necessitate walking across ropeways or worse) and lots of play gyms.  Located along Lake Washington on a gentle hill by numerous shops and restaurants, you can take a lovely walk to the beach, check out the latest fashions at one of the many baby boutiques or simply enjoy the stunning views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier. 

Ella Bailey Park - hidden in the middle of a neighborhood, this park offers breathtaking views of Seattle that give Kerry Park a run of its money.  It is a great spot for a picnic and while it lacks swings, it offers great play equipment for both older children and toddlers.

Webster Playground - located in Sunset Hill (Ballard), this park offers swings, climbing structures, slides, and sand play.

Magnuson Park's Junior League Playground - with a 20,000 square foot playground, you can find climbing structures, a sandbox, slides, swings and more. 

Wallingford Playfield - another park offering play structures for babies, toddlers and older children, this park offers rubber ground areas that are great for new walkers, slides, swings, a merry-go-round and a wading pool.  My only hesitation with listing this park is the apparent increase in crime lately in and around the park.

There are a few parks I haven't gotten the chance to see yet.  If anyone has any feedback on these or other parks good for the two and under crowd, please let me know: Montlake Playfield ("Tot Lot"); Rogers Playground (Eastlake);