RVA's Best Playgrounds for Babies & Toddlers
- The West End Mom
- Mar 31, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: Apr 4, 2025
If you have a baby or toddler, this RVA playground guide is for you!
I've visited over 50 playgrounds around the Richmond metro area with my kids, and I have found the ones that are best for each age.
This guide only includes the best, free playgrounds around RVA that are perfect for little kids. While these playgrounds are fun for all ages, they have thoughtful features that make visiting with babies and toddlers even easier: fenced in, baby swings, ramps, or ADA surfaces.
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The Best Public Parks around Richmond, Virginia for Little Kids: Quick View
Let's get to it - here is a quick list of my favorite playgrounds to visit with little kids in Richmond! If you'd like more specifics on each park and playgrounds, scroll to my guides below - they are in alphabetical order.
1.Grayland Tot Lot: the best over all playground for little kids because it has full shade in the summer, play equipment for babies and big kids, turf flooring and it's completely fenced in.
2.Wishing Well Park: a close second to Grayland, and it's only 2nd because it has full sun! It has play equipment for babies and toddlers plus the popular grown-up and me swing. It's also fully fenced in.
3.Osborne Landing Park: it has really unique playground equipment with a ship/water theme.
4.Southside Community Center: the best INDOOR playground in Richmond (FREE)
5.Church and preschool playgrounds are a hidden gem! Don't forget to check out the preschools and churches near you for playgrounds that are geared towards little kids. Most of them are completely fenced in too!
Here's everything YOU need to know about RVA's best playgrounds for little kids:
1. The Carillon's Tot Lot: Located in the City of Richmond, this playground is located next to the Virginia World War Memorial Carillon. The main play structure has three slides and climbing features. It has two swings, two baby swings and a swing that holds a big kid & a baby! Bigger kids would enjoy the large climbing feature, see saws and other balancing structures.
Why I like it for babies & toddlers: I like it because it’s fenced in (except a gate) and it’s perfect for the 6 and under crowd.While the playground itself has full sun, there are plenty big trees near by that offer a break from the heat. It is less than 5 minutes from Maymont Park, so you can visit both spots in one outing.
Area of Richmond: The City
*Check here for a full review.
2.Dunncroft Castle Point Park: This hidden gem is at the entrance of Hungry Creek Middle School. Dunncroft Castle Point Park is located off Francistown Road & it has so much to offer: trails, a frisbee golf course, a soccer field, splash pad and playground. It also has a picnic shelter and bathrooms.
Why I like it for babies & toddlers: I like it because the playground is connected by a series of ramps, perfect for new walkers. Little ones can explore, safely, up and around the playground. It also has many smaller slides.
Cons: Only the splash park is completely fenced in. The playground has full sun in the summer.
Where to find shade: The best shade is found on the walking trails (all toddler friendly).
Area of Richmond: Henrico's Glen Allen
*Check here for my full review.
3.Grayland Tot Lot: Located in Carytown, this park has a COMPLETELY RENOVATED playground! The play space now has a turf surface with push toys including a cozy coop. It even has a playground for babies - think crawler to ~2 years old. There are plenty of thrills for preschoolers & big kids too! The 2 story play structure is designed for 5-12 years old & there’s one created for 2-5 year olds. The space net is close to the ground & provides low course challenges. And, the playground has COMPLETE shade and a FENCE!
Why I like it for babies and new walkers: This playground has complete shade, so you can visit anytime during the day or the year to play. I also love the turf surface - it's easy for babies to crawl and for new walkers to explore. It also has a playground just for babies. It's one of the few playgrounds that has something for a wide range of ages too.
Area of Richmond: Carytown
*Check here for my review.
4.Huguenot Park: THIS PLAYGROUND IS UNDERCONSTRUCTION. REOPENING SPRING 2025! To see what it looks like as of April 21, 2025, check here.
Located in Bon Air, this 53 acre park has an all-inclusive playground, picnic shelters, athletic fields & basketball courts, and stroller friendly trails! Our favorite feature of this park is the large sand play area in the fenced playground. My littles love playing here with the trucks, shovels & other sand toys. This park is very popular, so it’s easy to make friends too!
Why I like it for babies and toddlers: The sand play area is so much fun! Community members donate toys, so they are always rotating. The playground also has a paved path around it, so children can use the ride on & push toys.
Heads up: While this playground is fenced in, it does not have a gate. There is only one way in and one way out though!
Area of Richmond: Midlothian
5.Lombardy & Park Ave. Triangle Park: Located in Richmond’s Fan, this neighborhood park is smaller than most Richmond city parks, but it’s still worth a visit! It has picnic tables, a sand play area, swings, and a play structure. The play structure is designed for younger kids - it has a play area under it, there’s a small climbing wall, and two smaller slides. The four swings are completely in the shade.
Why I like it for babies and toddlers: This neighborhood park is completely fenced in, so it’s one of my go-to spots when I am solo with my kids. We love the sand play area that is filled with toys - all donated by the local community (bikes, cozy coops, etc). It is the perfect spot to visit before having dinner at Kuba Kuba, too!
Area of Richmond: The City
6.Osborne Landing Park: Located in Eastern Henrico, Osborne Landing Park is on James River! At the first parking lot, you'll find a fenced in playground, two picnic shelters & a paved trail from the playground to the river.
Why I like it for babies and new walkers: This fully fenced playground has a water themed playground - the "boat" has slides & climbing areas. The playground flooring is a mix of mulch, ADA surface and sand. If you keep driving towards the river, you'll find the boat slip, canoe launch, fishing pier & swings with views of the river!
Heads up: This playground has full sun, and the equipment can get hot on summer days!
Area of Richmond: Henrico's East End
*Check here for a full review.
7.Pouncey Tract:Nestled between Short Pump Middle School & Striker Park in Glen Allen, this park has so much to explore. There are paved paths, nature trails, pickle-ball courts, open space to play, athletic fields, and the historic Springfield Schoolhouse. Also, the playground is brand new! The playground and pickleball courts have full sun, but there is a small picnic shelter by the playground that offers a little relief from the heat.
Why I like it for babies and new walkers: This playground has an ADA surface, so it's soft for crawlers and new walkers. It also has ramps up and down the playground, so new walkers and toddlers can explore. For swings, you will find a saucer swing, baby swing and the popular grown-up and me swing, so that parents can swing along with their babies!
Area of Richmond: Henrico's Short Pump
*Check here for my full review
8.Short Pump Town Center's outdoor play spaces:This local open-air mall has multiple spaces to play & explore with kids and hosts a bunch of family friendly events, like their summer concert series!
Why I like it with little kids: The mall is completely stroller friendly, and it has four easy spots for play! You can enjoy the outdoor place space in the main plaza, visit Pal’s Clubhouse, the indoor place space, you can ride the Short Pump Express, or play the giant chess board by Francos. My children also enjoy the water features between Gap and Old Navy - there are stepping stones and you can hop from rock to rock (this is better for preschoolers). You can also push a stroller around easily & grab Starbucks or Chick Fil a.
Area of Richmond: Henrico's West End, Short Pump
Address: 11800 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233
*Check here for my full review.
9.Southside Community Center: Southside Community Center just reopened after its $20 million renovation. And YOU need to check it out!!
This public community center is now double the size with so many areas to enjoy — inside & outside. It even has Richmond’s first indoor, public playground!! This is a free space to visit, no matter where you reside.
Why I like it for babies and new walkers: This community center has two play options - one inside and one outside. The indoor space is perfect for rainy, cold or hot days when you can play outside. I love that it is an enclosed space, so children can't run off. It has a soft flooring, so babies and new walkers can safely explore. It has a little kid play set with smaller slide. The space also has so many activities for big kids, so you can bring siblings too -- they will have just as much fun!
The outdoor playground is completely fenced in with a gate - your kiddo cannot run away! It has ADA surfacing, which makes crawling and falling softer on baby. It has a saucer swing and baby swing, plus the play equipment is made for smaller children.
Area of Richmond: City of Richmond, Southside
10.Springfield Park: This neighborhood park is located next to Springfield Park Elementary School. There is a picnic shelter, bathrooms, swings, and a playground. There is also a paved trail that loops around the park and the elementary school. The playground has almost complete shade, even in the afternoons! This playground is great for younger kids with its ramps & smaller slides. The trail only has shade near the playground, and then it is in full sun.
This is one of the best parks to visit on hot days because the playground has complete tree coverage, and the small, paved loop has partial shade.
Area of Richmond: Henrico's Glen Allen (Innsbrook area)
*Check here for my full review.
11.Thomas Jefferson Tot Lot: Located near Willow Lawn in the City of Richmond, this playground is COMPLETELY FENCED IN! The play space has 2 picnic tables and 2 benches, one set will have shade in the spring and summer. It has 4 baby swings, lots of push toys and toddler toys, and a playground. The playground has a slide, climbing features, and a space to play underneath -- it really reminds me of the Lombardy Triangle Park playground.
This playground has views of Thomas Jefferson High School, and there is a parking lot in front of it with street parking next to it.
Why I like it for babies and new walkers: This playground is completely fenced in with two gates - your kiddo cannot run away! I love that the community donates toys to this play space too - you will find a lot of ride on toys, push toys, and smaller Fischer Price plastic toys like an ice cream booth. Since this playground is tucked into a neighborhood, you could also add on a walk. The entire neighborhood has sidewalks, so it is stroller friendly.
Area of Richmond: The City
Address: 1399 Antrim Ave, Richmond, VA 23230
12.Westover Hills Tot Lot: Located in Forest Hill, Westover Hills Methodist Church opens its playground to the community every day after 1. This tot lot is completely fenced in, making it very easy to parent solo with multiple kids. It's designed for children 2-10, but even babies would love the sand pit! The large playground, climbing tunnel, and spider web will keep big kids moving, even on hot days. It also has two big kid swings.
*The tot lot shares a parking lot with Tablespoon Bakery. Grab some treats after you play!
Area of Richmond: The City, Westover Hills
13.Willow Lawn Shopping Center's play area: This play spot & outdoor seating area is located at Willow Lawn, Richmond's first shopping center. The outdoor plaza has a stage, a train themed play area for littles ages 0-5, porch swings, picnic tables & a decorative water feature. We like this play spot because it’s easy to get to, it’s free & it has lots of food options around it.
Why I like it for toddlers: The flooring that surrounds the play equipment is astroturf and ADA surface, making it softer for falls. The play equipment is for children ages 0-5. It has a slide, a train car & a tunnel to crawl through. It has three porch swings & bench seating. My littles enjoyed rolling & sliding down the small hill next to the stage.
Area of Richmond: Willow Lawn
*Check here for my full review!
14.Wishing Well Park: Located in the Salisbury neighborhood, this playground is open to the public. It shares a parking lot with The Redeemer Church, so it may look crowded even if it's not. This community park just finished phase 1 of its renovation. And more updates are coming soon! It currently has a large, fenced in play area with a gate! Check here to see the updates of Wishing Well Park!
Why I like it for babies and toddlers: It has play equipment for kiddos 2-5 years old: a sail boat, a playhouse & balance elements. It also has a sensory play area with a mud kitchen & sensory bins, and it has lots of swings! You can play on the saucer swing, parent/child swings or use the baby swings.
*Wishing Well Park is currently raising money to renovate the playground. They have almost reached their goal - visit here to make a donation! With the help of community donations, Wishing Well Park will be ADA accessible!
Area of Richmond: Chesterfield, Salisbury neighborhood,
*Check here for my full review!
More Playgrounds for Babies & Toddlers:
These church and preschool playgrounds are open to the public on school holidays and weekends. Most also open after 4pm on school days.
1.All Saints Episcopal Church: This completely fenced-in playground is designed for walkers through 5 year olds. It also has some more thrilling areas for older kids. It was a lifesaver with two little ones 22 months a part because of the shade, the fence & the sand. Plus it’s an easy spot to visit after afternoon naps!
Bonus: This is where Miss Anne hosts her popular music and movement class for children 5 and younger. The fenced in playground is open regularly during the week, if the preschool isn't using it. Typically, families can use it between the 10am-11am music classes.
*Check here for a full review.
2. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church: This playground is completely fenced in, and it was made just for little kids. It has almost complete shade - great for summer days. It has a large sand play area with an outdoor kitchen. There are a couple playhouses and a mini-climbing wall. I also love that it is within walking distance to Gelati Celesti, Jack Brown's and Stella's.
Heads up: During the school calendar, this playground is closed to the public. It's open after 4pm on weekdays, all day Saturday, and after morning church on Sundays.
*Check here for a full review.
3. Mount Vernon Baptist Church: Located in Glen Allen, this is a fantastic play area for all ages! The playground is large with three different fenced in areas: one for babies & walkers, one for preschoolers and one for elementary schoolers. There’s also a large grassy space to play.
Heads up: The playground is closed to the public from 8-2pm on weekdays during the school year (September-May).
*Check here for a full review.
4. Derbyshire Baptist Church: It’s off Derbyshire Road, between Gaskins and Paraham. Since Derbyshire has a preschool, this play area is designed for walkers through 5 year olds that is completely fenced in with a gate. There are also 2 adjustable basketball hoops in the parking lot - my 5 year old loves to play here. A second playground with a large, climbing web and swings is next to the community garden, too. This playground is really nice for play dates (you’ll be the only ones there)!
Heads up: This playground is closed to the public during school hours (8am-3pm).
*Check here for my full review, and more pictures of this playground are in my "Fenced Playground" highlights.
5. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church: Located off Forest Ave., this amazing playground has complete shade and it is completely fenced in! It is a great spot for the 7 and under crowd, too. It has two sand play areas, a steep slide, a playground, two playhouses, a climbing structure and a bunch of regular swings. St. Matthew's playground is only closed to the public during preschool & church hours.
Heads up: This playground is closed to the public during school hours (8am-3pm).
6. Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church : This church is on the corner of West Franklin & Stafford Place. The playground is completely fenced in! The playground has shade in the afternoon, so save this one for after naps. It’s small, but perfect for the 6 & under crowd. It’s great for play dates or if you want to have a playground for just your group. Church playgrounds like this made life easier for me when I had 2 under 2! It’s also less than 3 minutes from Ukrop's & Christian's Pizza.
Heads up: This playground is closed to the public during school hours (8am-3pm).
*Check here for my full review.
Looking for more playgrounds that are perfect for little kids? Check here for my guide on fenced playgrounds around Richmond, Virginia!
Looking for a round up of the best and worst Richmond area parks with shade? Check out this post on The Best Shaded Parks in Richmond, Virginia
*For even more things to do with kids in Richmond, follow @thewestendmom on Instagram!
