Best Playgrounds for Toddlers and Babies in Essex - Parks of Essex Guide
- Essex Parks
- Feb 25, 2024
- 14 min read
Updated: Sep 7
The Essex Toddler and Baby Playground Guide
Parks of Essex has been curated to help you find parks, playgrounds and nature reserves to explore with your family and friends in Essex. Parks of Essex is a resource which combines information on parks, playgrounds and nature reserves across Essex, all in one, easy to navigate place. We have guides to parks across Essex including the best playgrounds in Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea and Braintree.
We have some incredible playgrounds in Essex! We have put together a list of the BEST playgrounds for toddlers and preschoolers! These playgrounds offer engaging and interesting equipment to entertain little ones.
Here you can find the best playgrounds for toddlers in Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow Chigwell, Southend-on-Sea and all across Essex! Click through to each playground for more information on facilities, toilets, parking and more photos.
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This post features the following toddler friendly playgrounds in Essex (click to scroll to the location):
Don't forget to click to each individual park post of more information including maps links, more photos and other playgrounds nearby.
Chelmsford (Broomfield Village Hall Park, Copperfield Road Playground, Paradise Road Park, Compass Gardens, Great Baddow Recreation Ground)
Harlow (Pets Corner Playground)
Southend-on-Sea and Surrounding (Gunners Park, Shoebury Common Playground, Chalkwell Park, King Georges Playing Fields Rochford)
Colchester (Stanway Lakelands Centre, Swift Avenue Playground, Boxted)
Brentwood (Fairfield Playing Fields, Coronation Playing Fields)
Maldon (Secret Garden Play Area at Prom Park, Oak Tree Meadow)
Basildon and Wickford (Grove Woods, Runwell Park)
Chigwell (Pelican Playground)
Epping (Stonards Hill Recreation Ground, Lower Swaines Recreation Ground)
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Chelmsford
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas. We have picked the Parks of Essex Top 5 toddler and baby parks in Chelmsford. Bonus: NEW Cycle Track in Chelmsford - great for beginner cyclists and scooters!
We also have a Guide to The Best Playgrounds in Chelmsford - where you will find the best playgrounds in Chelmsford City and surrounding villages and towns including Writtle, Galleywood, South Woodham Ferrers and Broomfield!
📍Broomfield, Chelmsford
Broomfield is a town in the North of Chelmsford. There is a great toddler friendly park next to Broomfield Village Hall and the Angel Pavillion, in Broomfield Chelmsford.
Broomfield Park has a great enclosed playground perfect for toddlers and babies! There is plenty of relevant play equipment and the playground is next to a great kid friendly cafe - Cheerful Chai. We have an entire Guide to Parks with Cafes and Coffee Shops if you prefer your park trip caffeinated.
The star of this playground is the large, pirate ship climbing frame. The climbing frame has many different climbs, a slide and lots of interesting puzzles/movable equipment such as maps, an anchor and treasure on the bottom level - easily accessible for smaller children.
Other equipment includes a variety of swings, a long swing, a large climb on truck, roundabout, climbing frame, rope bridge and spinning equipment.
There are good, clean toilets inside Angel Pavilion. Toilet facilities include accessible and baby change.
📍 Writtle, Chelmsford
The Chelmsford Village of Writtle is home to a lovely little toddler playground - Paradise Road Park! This playground is also a short 5 minute drive from Hylands Park, which has a large fort/castle themed adventure. Why not combined the two? The playground at Hylands Park is a destination playground and is usually far busier than the park at Paradise Road.
The play area at Paradise Road Playground is enclosed, perfect for babies and toddlers. There are several climbing frames (including toddler friendly) with slides and different climbs including climbing walls and ladders. There is also spinning equipment and a sit down roundabout, easy for little ones to hold on to.
Paradise Road Park has small climb on train with track/road play prompts printed on the floor. There are also lots of sensory boards.. For older children or adventurous little ones there is also a zipwire and several swings.
There are no toilets at Paradise Road Park. Other things to do at Paradise Road Park include the skate ramp!
📍 Chelmsford
Copperfield Road Playground is a smaller playground in Chelmsford, but has lots of interesting play equipment. There is play equipment for children of all ages but the selection of toddler and preschooler equipment is particularly impressive.
Toddlers will love the fun, animal themed climbing frame. There is a variety of swings including baby swings, a tandem swing which babies can sit in and long swing. There is also a seesaw and pre-school friendly ride on equipment.
There are lots of interesting play prompts such as the twister game. There is also a small trail through the playground with prompts to hop, balance etc.
For older children there is a large metal climbing frame. It has challenging climbs and a rock climbing section. Children of all ages will love the zipwire, although it is high up and smaller children will need assistance climbing onto the zipwire, so it is not particularly suitable for smaller children. There is no accessible play equipment other than a floor level trampoline.
The playground is enclosed and has several benches inside. There are no public toilets at Copperfield Road park. There are customer toilets (including baby change) at Morrisons supermarket a short walk away.
📍South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford
Compass Gardens is a great playground in the town of South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford. Compass Garden is great for preschoolers as it is so engaging for little ones. The play equipment is brightly coloured and in great condition. The playground is also enclosed.
The playground at Compass Gardens park has a nautical theme. There is a large pirate ship with different climbs and slides. There are steps up to the tunnel slide, making it easier for little legs to climb. There are also swings, a seesaw, zipwire and spinning equipment. There is a climbing frame for smaller children and also ride on equipment.
There are lots of brightly coloured animals and objects in the flooring. The flooring is also super springy and feels very safe for kids that always take a tumble. Accessible play equipment includes sensory equipment and roundabout. There are benches inside the play area and picnic benches just outside on the grass.
There are public toilets nearby, however no baby change.
📍 Great Baddow, Chelmsford
Great Baddow is a village within Chelmsford. Great Baddow Recreation Ground is home to several sports pitches and two, separate playgrounds. This Chelmsford park is suitable for toddlers as well as older children. There are also lovely playing field surrounding the play areas.
The toddler play area at Great Baddow Recreation Ground is enclosed. The playground is bright and there are lots of interesting prompts on the floor.
There is a climbing frame with slide, ride on equipment, seesaw, slide, pirate ship and swings including a sweet bear swing! There is plenty for older children too at the bigger playground.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Harlow
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Harlow! Harlow is also home to a great kid friendly woodland, which is certainly an Essex hidden gem. The woodland at Parndon Woods have designated bug hotel and den building areas, close to the entrance of the woods, perfect for little legs that can't walk too far. There are also toilets, including baby change.
📍Harlow
Pets' Corner Playground can be found at Harlow Town Park. We love this playground because it is suitable for children of all ages, has a great toddler section and most importantly it is one of the most inclusive play areas in Essex. Pets' Corner Playground is also located close to Pets' Corner Farm, which is FREE to enter. For more information about Pets' Corner Farm CLICK HERE.
The adventure playground here is excellent. It has equipment suitable for all ages and most importantly it is accessible! There is lots of equipment for toddlers! The entire playground is enclosed. There is a large, rope bridge and mound with a tunnel underneath. There is spinning equipment, musical equipment and sensory boards. There is an accessible frame with lots of musical equipment and educational areas. There is an accessible roundabout. There is also an accessible play house.The last section of the play area has a farm theme. There is a climbing frame with slide, accessible seesaw, climb on tractor and sensory boards.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Southend and surrounding
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding areas. Southend is a great destination for a toddler and baby friendly day out in Essex. As well as great attractions, there are plenty of free things to do with little ones. A visit to Southend is not complete without a beach visit. If you are looking for a beach playground in Southend-on-Sea, check out our guide to Beach Playgrounds in Southend.
📍Shoeburyness, Southend
The Gunners Park Toddler Playground can be found within the Shoebury Garrison. The area is full of military architecture and history. The playground is located next to the restored Cart and Wagon Shed Heritage Centre.
Inside the Cart and Wagon Shed is Serendity Cafe (a community interest company) and toilets (including baby change). Serendiptiy is a particularly great family friendly cafe in Essex. There are highchairs and toddler plates and cutlery. There is also a wide range of gluten free options and several alternative milks. Check out our Parks and Playgrounds with Cafes and Coffee Shops for more inforamtion!
This small playground is perfect for toddlers! There are toddler swings, climbing frames and a small merry go round. There are unique and interesting play equipment including a scoop pulley system and lots of educational interactive equipment including facial features and a clock.
The car park is conveniently located next to the playground and a lovely cafe. Adventurous toddlers will enjoy exploring the nearby Gunners Park Nature Reserve too. Read More about Gunners Park Toddler Playground...
📍Shoeburyness
Shoebury Common Playground has a nautical, brightly coloured playground with plenty of toddler and preschool friendly playground. This park is located across the road from Shoebury Beach, which is a quieter section of the Southend seafront.
At Shoebury Common park there are boats, ship climbing frames and sea creature climb on equipment. There are a variety of swings including baby swings and lay down swings. There are also interesting sensory equipment and games.
The playground is enclosed and there are plenty of picnic benches inside the playground. There are public toilets nearby.
📍Westcliff-on-Sea
If you are looking for a toddler friendly playground in Southend that is away from the beach, then check out Chalkwell Park. Chalkwell park is a large park situated between Leigh=-n-Sea and Westcliff-on-Sea. There are two separate play areas, beautiful gardens and lots of open space on the playing fields.
The toddler play area has toddler climbing frames, baby swings, a larger metal bus climbing frame and connected climbing equipment.
There is a small skate park at Chalkwell park, perfect for young children to skate and scoot. here is also a cafe and public toilets adjacent to the large play area close to London Road.
📍Rochford
A few miles North of Southend is the district of Rochford. Rochford is home to some great playgrounds, a country park and interesting RSPB Nature Reserve at Wallasea Island.
King Georges Playing Fields is our favourite toddler friendly park in Rochford. There are three play areas and lots of open space to play! For little ones there is a sand area with tyre swing and there is an enclosed play area with climbing frames, slides, ride on play equipment, roundabout and swings.
There is also an open play area with zipwire, slide and climbing frame for older children, trampoline, nest swing. There are toilets at King Georges Playing Fields including accessible toilets and baby change.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Colchester
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Colchester and the surrounding areas.
📍Stanway
The Stanway Lakelands Community Centre has great faculties including a cafe, inclusive playground, FREE sensory room (perfect for babies) and full Changing Places facility. The Stanway Lakelands centre is our top baby and toddler park in Colchester.
This inclusive playground in Stanway, Colchester has lots to offer! Toddlers will love the large sandpit with a wooden climbing frame running through it. The climbing frame has slides, variously climbs and a ramp making it easier for little ones to climb.
There are a variety of swings at Lakeladns including accessible swings and nest swings. There is also a trampoline, ride on equipment and roundabout. There is sensory and musical play equipment.
Please be mindful that the play area is not enclosed, and next to a car park. There are picnic tables and benches around the play area. Read More about Stanway Lakelands Centre Playground...
📍 Stanway
The playpark at Swift Avenue in Stanway, Colchster was recently renovated. The playground has a some great fun equipment which toddlers will love. There is a great animal theme - very fitting as this playground is close to Colchester Zoo.
The play area at Swift Avenue has an animal theme, which includes animals such as an elephant and a giraffe. There is a climbing frame with slide and a separate frame with ramp access. There is spinning equipment, balancing equipment, an in floor trampoline, nest swings, baby swings and a tandem swing.
The playground is predominately quite a spongy flooring and there is glass around the play equipment. There is a bin and bench inside the play area. This playground is enclosed.
📍 Boxted
Boxted is a village on the outskirts of Colchester. This village has large playing frields, a skate ramp and great play enclosed play area.
The toddler play area has a climbing frame (with steps), slide, swings, springy ride on equipment, seesaw and a seperate smaller slide. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables surrounding the play area.
As well as a toddler play area, there is a good sized open play area with balancing equipment, in floor trampolines and swings. Toilets inside the Community Hub, where there is also a cafe
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Brentwood
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Brentwood District.
📍Ingatestone
Fairfield Playground is located in the village of Ingatestone, in the Brentwood District. This park is located behind a beautiful, striking church, just behind Ingatestone High Street. The High Street has great independent shops and places to eat, perfect for taking a picnic to the large playing fields.
The play area in Ingatestone is great! This playground is suitable for toddlers to junior age children. There is a section of the playground with equipment which is perfect for toddlers. There is a bridge, tunnel and low balancing equipment. Equipment for primary aged children includes a slide, climbing frame with slide, roundabout and ride on equipment.
The highlight of this playground for older children is the large climbing apparatus. The frame also has an attached zipwire. The climbs are challenging and will keep older children entertained.
The equipment is in great condition. The whole play area is enclosed and there are lots of benches and brightly coloured picnic benches inside the playground.
There is also a pub with a play area in Ingatestone, Brentwood. The Bell pub is close to Fairfield Park. The Bell serves lunches, mains, Sunday Roasts and has a small children's menu. There is an enclosed family friendly pub garden, with a small climbing frame with slide. Check out our full Pubs with Play Guide, which contains over 40 pubs with play areas in Essex.
The park also has a pond and skate park. The closest public toilets to Fairfield Playgroyund are in Market Place, a short walk away.
📍Mountnessing
Visit this Essex Playground with beautiful views over Mountnessing Mill! Coronation Playing Fields is home to Mountnessing Mill and also Mountnessing playground. The village playground on the outskirts of Brentwood is great for children of all ages and has lovely imagitive play for toddlers.
The play area at in Mountnessing is great. There is a variety of play equipment to suit children of all ages. For toddlers there are baby swings, a smaller climbing frame and a small train to sit on. The play area is enclosed and there are benches and picnic benches inside the play area.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Maldon
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Maldon.
📍Maldon
This popular river side park is situated on the river Blackwater. Promenade Park has something for everyone. The park hosts a sandpit, several playgrounds including a pirate themed park, petting zoo, adventure golf, skateboard park, BMX track, model boating lake and an amazing seasonal splash park.
If you are long for a toddler friendly playground in Promenade Park we recommended heading to the Secret Garden inclusive playground. Unlike the Valley play area, the Secret Garden play area is enclosed, making it more suited to little ones. The play equipment is also on a smaller scale - smaller climbing frames and slides. Other equipment includes roundabout, floor level trampoline, swings and large seesaw.
There are toilets including accessible toilets and bab y change at Promenade Park.
📍Maldon
Oak Tree Meadow playground (also known by many as the Tesco park) is truly suitable for all ages - toddlers up to bigger kids. This is a great playground to visit if you have kids with differing ages and abilities as there is something to suit all! The toddler play equipment is bright, fun and unlike any we have come across in any other Essex Park.
For smaller children there are boat and castle themed play equipment - climbing frames, slides and climb on and spinning equipment. The playground is enclosed and there are benches and picnic benches inside and outside the play area. There is also a shaded seating area.
There are no toilets here, however there are customer toilets (including baby change ) at the nearby Tesco.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Rayleigh and Wickford
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Rayleigh and Wickford.
📍Rayleigh
There are two play areas at Grove Woods, both are enclosed. The play area suitable for toddlers is across the field. There are several climbing frames with slides, seesaws, swings, zipwire and interactive play equipment. The playground is enclosed and there is seating inside the playground.
📍Runwell
There are two play areas at Runwell Park catering to a variety of ages. The enclosed play area is perfect for little ones. There are climbing frames suitable for toddlers and small children and also a climbing frame suitable for preschoolers upwards. There is also a merry-go-round and swings.
Outside of the enclosed play area, there is more play equipment, suited for older children. There is a rope bridge between two hills, and a large slide.
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Chigwell
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Chigwell
📍 Chigwell
At Pelican Playground in Chigwell you can find a sand pit playground with a nautical theme! This playground is close to the Roding Valley Nature Reserve and the Essex Wildlife Trust Grange Farm Centre, where regular events are held.
This play area has a large sandpit. There are two wooden climbing frames in the sand. Toddlers can play at floor level or climb the ladders with assistance. There are also small nest swings and seesaw.
The biggest climbing frame is a ship on two levels, climbing ropes, a sitting area and slide.
There is a lot of grassy space around the sandpit. Plenty of spaces for picnics. Read More about Pelican Playground ...
Toddler and Baby Friendly Parks in Epping
This Guide features toddler and baby friendly playgrounds in Epping.
📍 Epping
The play park has a large climbing frame with two slides, smaller wooden climbing frame, swings (including a tandem swing and baby swing), an accessible seesaw, ride on equipment and lots of fun interactive boards and floor play prompts. The playground is enclosed and there are benches inside the play area.
Outside of the fenced play area, on the playing fields there is more play equipment, mainly suitable for older children. There is a climbing rock, large rope climbing pyramid and swings within a connected frame.
📍 Epping
Stonards Hill Recreation Ground is a great playground in Epping. There are a wide variety of facilities available at Stonards Hill Recreation Ground including a sizeable children's play park, football pitches, concrete skate park, tennis courts, petanque, basket court and table tennis courts. There is plenty of open space for dog walking and a cafe (which is also dog friendly).
Play equipment at Stonards Park includes balancing equipment, roundabout, climbing frames with climbs suitable for toddlers and interactive boards.
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration -
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