The Top Cool and Unique Playgrounds On Long Island

2 kids playing on a playground seesaw Herman Griem Park

After many years of searching, my list of playgrounds on Long Island is ready to go. Similar to my hike and garden roundups, this list is forever evolving.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Sweethollow Park

Playgrounds supply a fantastic opportunity for kids to play, get some exercise, and breathe in fresh air. Equally, it allows parents to take a little rest or catch up with their friends.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Sitting

We have three kids and ants in our pants, so we go to a lot of playgrounds around Long Island. We don’t mind a drive if it’s worth it, so this list is a nice selection around Long Island in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Rockville Centre

What I’ve learned the last eight years on Long Island is sometimes you find an awesome playground in a place you’d never expect. Also, sometimes schools outside of your area are great weekend destinations.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Bethpage State Park

Playgrounds on Long Island: Nassau County

The Mint Chip Mama - Bethpage State Park Playground

Bethpage State Park Playground – Bethpage

This big playground has lots of high climbing things as well as an equally big playground for big and little kids. There are also fun ride-on animals that bounce back and forth. This is a huge state park with lots of beautiful hiking trails (home to the famous Bethpage Bikeway on the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail) and tons of other stuff as well.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Eisenhower Park

Eisenhower Park Playground – East Meadow

A fun, huge park with tons of playground equipment, mini golf, batting cages, live entertainment, and lots of additional offerings.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Jones Beach

Jones Beach State Park Playground – Wantagh

This beachside playground is so much fun in all seasons. I like to stare at the ocean while my kids play on the tremendous variety of activities. Also right there is their mini golf course and WildPlay Jones Beach.

The Mint Chip Mama - Simpkin Simkin Park Playgrounds on Long Island

Simpkins Park / Garvies Point Playground – Glen Cove

My kids would vote this as their favorite playground on Long Island. This brand-new park has a high tower slide, balancing and spinning things, climbing things, and everything in between. There are lots of new destinations developing in the area, but one of our favorite museums and Welwyn Preserve (a beautiful hike) remain fantastic places to visit.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Veterans Park Rockville Centre

Veterans Park / Rockville Centre Recreation Center Playground – Rockville Centre

This is a super fun park with a splash park in the summer. One of the most unique parks we found with lots of fun and interactive climbing opportunities. We have spent hours here with my kids not wanting to leave.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Tobay Splash Park

Honorable mention: Haypath Park in Old Bethpage, Tobay Beach Spray Park (awesome on and off season) in Massapequa.

Next on my list: Upland Park in Great Neck

Playgrounds on Long Island: Suffolk County

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Andreoli Park

Andreoli Park Playground – Nesconset

This park is ideal for smaller kids with lots of imagination. There is a lot of unique things to climb on and little houses where they can play. Across the street is Gibbs Pond which my older daughter enjoyed while her little brothers played.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island East Quogue Elementary School

East Quogue Elementary School Playground – East Quogue

We found this impressive elementary school’s playground hiking out east at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. It had some distinctive climbing things I hadn’t seen before which my kids really loved. If you’re a history buff, it’s also located right near the first mailbox in the US – from 1787.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Heckscher Park

Heckscher Park Playground – Huntington

One of our favorite parks on Long Island for the water and ducks – but also home to a great playground. This park has all kind of events and a great museum. No matter the season, it is a great destination. We love it here so much.

The Mint Chip Mama - Hermann Griem Park Playgrounds

Hermann Griem Park Playground – Wheatley Heights

This park was hidden but so worth the find. It is a big park in an unexpected area and my kids loved it. There was some different equipment that they really enjoyed that reminded me of my childhood.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Lake Ronkonkoma Park

Lake Ronkonkoma Park Playground – Ronkonkoma

If you want a pretty view while your kids play in a fenced off playground this one is for you! Next to the beautiful Lake Ronkonkoma you will find this great park where all of their dreams will come true, as will yours – because there is a bathroom right there. Such a great spot to spend some time.

The Mint Chip Mama - Rocketship Playground

Rocketship Park Playground – Port Jefferson

This park has everything one could want in a playground. Waiting for your kids is a pirate ship, rocket slide, endless things to climb and so much more. Located in beautiful Port Jefferson you can make a day of it walking around their waterfront, visiting their great shops and restaurants or enjoying one of their unique festival.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Sweet Hollow Park

Sweet Hollow Park Playground – Melville

A newer park to the area built over Meyer’s Farm – one of my favorite destinations as a child. This park has spanking new equipment as well as pickle ball courts, shuffleboard courts, and exercise equipment. There is also a Little Free Library here.

Next on my list: Phelps Lane Park in Babylon

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Jones Beach 2015

Please let me know if your favorite playground is missing, we may not have “found” it yet!

Playgrounds on Long Island 2.0

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Adventure Park

When you are ready for more elevated climbing, I highly recommend one of Long Island’s Adventure Parks. With ropes courses, ziplines, climbing challenges and elevated excitement, these parks make for a great family outing.

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island Rocketship Park

Of course, if you are looking for a special occasion amusement park to visit, there is always Adventureland right in our backyard!

The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island East Quogue Elementary School

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The Mint Chip Mama - Playgrounds on Long Island

Don’t forget to check out all the family friendly destinations we’ve researched!

Published by Stacey Wallenstein

Stacey Gish Wallenstein created The Mint Chip Mama blog in 2013 to share her love and passion for giving children meaningful life experiences and helping moms like her navigate the challenges and benefits of raising children in the New York metropolitan area. Before becoming a full-time mom in 2010, Stacey spent the better part of the preceding decade as a high-end customer relationship management (CRM) professional for some of the most well-known brands in the hotel, luxury, fashion, and beauty industries, such as Harrah’s Entertainment, Chanel and Christian Dior, Inc. She managed customer loyalty programs for thousands of clients around the country and created social media strategies for a span of industries including healthcare services, restaurants, consumer packaged goods, specialty foods, local attractions and retail locations. After 13 wonderful years in Manhattan (the last three of which spent as a city mom), Stacey and her husband moved to Long Island in 2014, where they now reside with their three children (13, 10, and 7). There, she is a founding member of her local Parenting Center, which provides classes and coordinates events designed to educate and inform parents while fostering an environment of support and friendship within the community. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Stacey has been active in the New York area alumni organization for nearly twenty years, serving as a board member on the school’s University of Michigan Alumni Club of New York City. She also holds a Masters in Psychology from The New School in New York City. Please check out The Mint Chip Mama in the Press: The New York Post, Psychology Today, NY Metro Parents, New York Family, Parents Magazine, Newsday, News 12, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Kids, NerdWallet, Big Apple Kids Guide, and more! The Mint Chip Mama was also nominated as "The Best Blog On Long Island" for 2022, 2023, 2024, one of the Top 20 New York Mom Blogs & Websites, and one of the Top 100 Mom Lifestyle Blogs on the web! For more updates, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Pinterest.

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