For Kids Under 3

From 10 months to 3 years old, our littles are walking and running. Exploring touch, taste and whatever catches their eye. Most activities are for 5 years and older, thus these early years leave us Mom's in limbo and exhausted....especially after daycare. We need safe toddler-friendly places that we can trust and burn our child's energy throughout the week.

This is a list of Playgrounds, Places and Activities created to manage my son's rambunctious curiosity and temper my Mom anxiety daily. These are places I have experienced myself, thus the list includes reasons we love, like, and don't ever want to do it again.

Like other Mom's, I am simply sharing what hopefully helps you too. Email me your recommendations for us to visit!

outdoors & safe

Playgrounds

Favorite Playgrounds

Charles Barrett Rec Center Playground - VA

Charles Houston Rec Center Playground - VA

Landover Park Playground - VA

Mitchellville South Park Playground - MD

Mount Jefferson Park & Greenway Playground - VA

Newark Park Playground - DC

Palisades Rec Center Playground - DC

Potomac Yard Park Playground - VA

Stead Park Playground- DC

Tanger Outlets Playground - MD

Tuckahoe Park Playground - VA

Tucker Road Park Playground - MD

Walker Mill Park Playground - MD

Westphila Park Playground - MD

Worst Playgrounds

Ft. Washington Park Playground - MD

Westminster Neighborhood Park - DC

Woodmore Town Center Playground - MD

What Makes it Mom Approved?

Acceptable distance from road traffic

Possible gated enclosure

Rubber or Turf for soft toddler falls

Cool Factor Playgrounds

Bluemont Park Playground - VA : For the Train enthusiast kid this is all replicas and photo worthy.

Chessie’s Big Backyard - VA : Imagine a Mini-golf course aesthetic but as a winding tiered playground.

Clemyjontri Park Playground - VA : Amusement park nostalgia with 360 degrees of park views and play sets.

Dawson Terrence Park Playground - VA : Resembling tree houses and a Dr. Suess book this is cool bright blue and spacious.

Fields at RFK Playground - DC : Baseball, Basketball Sports themed with bright greens and orange with looping tunnel slide

Fort Meyer Heights Playground - VA : Commissioned to resemble tree stumps and giant logs this is cool and photo worthy.

Jennie Dean Park Playground - VA : Think BIG, massive outdoor play with enough playset to let your little off the leash.

Long Bridge Park Open Playarea - VA : Absolutely a toddler power wheel terrain to let your little drive freely.

Mosaic Park Playground - VA : Imagine a Pop-up book this place has ground swells and color pop excitement.

Nina Park Playground - VA : Introduce your little to this entirely made of SAND playground.

Watkins Park - MD : Wizard of OZ even takes you down the yellow brick road to rainbows and poppies

INDOORS & SAFE

Activity Centers

Favorite Activity Centers

Kidcreate Studio - VA

Little Towns Children's Museum - DC

Magic Ground - DC

Mulberry Lane - VA

Play at Recess - MD

Scramble Alexandria - VA

Super, Awesome & Amazing - VA

The Little Gym - DC

Worst Activity Centers

Hyper Kids Crofton

What Makes it Mom Approved?

Open daily

Visible staff cleaning & wiping

Separate sections for littles & bigs

Staff direct bigger children when in littles designated spaces

Food is available or you can bring your own

Cool Factor Activity Centers

Mulberry Lane- VA : The perfect small town for littles with a chic aesthetic and

Super, Awesome & Amazing - VA : Offers a "Tot Time" only on Sundays for safe play from 9:00am - 11:00am. Perfect for encouraging a nap.

WATER SAFE

Splash Pad & Sprayground

Favorite Splash Pad & Sprayground

Drew Park Sprayground - VA

Super, Awesome & Amazing - VA

Virginia Highlands Park Sprayground - VA

Wharf/ Waterfront Splash Pad - DC

Worst Splash Pad & Sprayground

Canal Basin & Waterwall Navy Yard, SW DC

What Makes it Mom Approved?

Has chlorinated water

Ample seating for parents

70% enclosed for safety and running off

Low vehicle traffic area/ proximity for safer runaways

Cool Factor Splash Pad and Spraygrounds

Franconia Our Special Harbor - VA : Commissioned to resemble a ships at a harbor with cool tones and multiple splash stations.

Super, Awesome & Amazing - VA : Offers an Indoor Waterpark all year round and playground.