"older kid" playgrounds?

[Anonymous]

There's one in Downtown Silver Spring we used to like. It's not huge, though. It's at the corner of Spring and Georgia, I think.

[Anonymous]

This definitely does highlight the fact that playgrounds have gotten way more boring as they've gotten "safer." My 2 year old is totally excited to play on the "big kid" structures that say they're for 5-12 year olds, but an actual 7 year old would be bored stiff. Beauvoir's playground is notably more thrilling than any other modern playground I know of (faster, steeper slides; long fast zip lines; tall structures to climb). I wonder if they self-insure.

[Anonymous]

My 9 year old still enjoys the occasional playground with her younger siblings. Here are some that we like:
- Cabin John (especially those high spinning things that you can sit on top of and spin, and the tall slides near them -- these look older and are in the back, so maybe they are a remnant from the old days that the PP was remembering?)
-- Wheaton Regional (the tall slides and the spider web and the thing you run up)
-- Watkins Regional, with the cool Wizard of Oz themed playground plus the nature center
-- South Bowie Community Center dragon playground
-- Beauvoir
-- Seneca Creek Lake, with the recycled tire playground and zipline plus the nature trails and boating

I'd love more suggestions of cool playgrounds for bigger kids!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.

Well I guess all my friends who grew up in Manhattan lived sad, sad lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.

Well I guess all my friends who grew up in Manhattan lived sad, sad lives.

Seriously. This post is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Cabin John Playground (the train park) is a great option.

Wheaton playground

The playground at Beauvior

Cabin John used to be great when they had the massive wood structures and slides. Now it is a kiddie park. My 6yr old is extremely bored there.

It was SPECTACULAR when it had the huge wooden structures. It was wonderful. It was not even worn out and one day they just roped it off and tore it down and put into kiddie stuff. Montgomery County sucks big time!!!!!

[Anonymous]

One of the best playgrounds - built with a public private partnership thing- it's worth the drive. Spend the day

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/south_germantown/#adventure_totlots


Also - Turtle/Friendship park in DC
Also Palisades in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of the best playgrounds - built with a public private partnership thing- it's worth the drive. Spend the day

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/south_germantown/#adventure_totlots


Also - Turtle/Friendship park in DC
Also Palisades in DC

This is a better link

https://dcplaygroundreview.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/south-germantown-adventure-playground/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of the best playgrounds - built with a public private partnership thing- it's worth the drive. Spend the day

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/facilities/south_germantown/#adventure_totlots


Also - Turtle/Friendship park in DC
Also Palisades in DC

This is a better link

https://dcplaygroundreview.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/south-germantown-adventure-playground/

This is turtle park , might be for younger kids but it's so fun and there's a lot to do there.
Looks like it's undergoing renovations not sure when it's done

http://www.turtlepark.org/about/

Palisades

http://www.dctots.com/new-palisades-playground-wows/

http://kidfriendlydc.com/2015/03/15/dc-secret-palisades/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.

Well I guess all my friends who grew up in Manhattan lived sad, sad lives.

Seriously. This post is ridiculous.

Doing it in DC is a little different than doing it in DC. Not. The. Same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm sure you are a nice person, I don't think my "sad" comment was meant for you at all. I know a family who live in a two bedroom with kids your same ages, and it IS sad. They are either cooped up inside or squatting at a playground for half the day. No sense of home, nowhere to get some real downtime, or the freedom to build a fort or dig a hole in the ground. Trying out new playgrounds isn't sad, but needing them because you live in a chicken coop and your kids never get outdoor time otherwise, is. I misinterpreted. I also strongly feel that older kids need space and time with kids their own ages to learn how to build friendships. That's why having play dates at home, and neighborhood friends, are so crucial. If you Are an itinerant playground hopper (see family above) then, while you gain skills in making 'single-serving' friends quickly, you don't really get the depth of real friendship. this site is a funny place, a lot of misdirected emotions happen here.

Well I guess all my friends who grew up in Manhattan lived sad, sad lives.

Seriously. This post is ridiculous.

Doing it in DC is a little different than doing it in DC. Not. The. Same.

Huh?

[Anonymous]

^^ Never mind. Got it. Long day.

[Anonymous]

I feel like the ones by my house at EC Lawrence Park are WAY too high/big, etc for little kids. Its often pretty empty even though the practice fields are always in use.

Sigh, I hate the park situation in the Fair Lakes, Chantilly, etc area- moving from Arlington where they were so busy and great for little ones (tons of ones with toys!).

[Anonymous]

Went to Germantown today and had a great time! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the ones by my house at EC Lawrence Park are WAY too high/big, etc for little kids. Its often pretty empty even though the practice fields are always in use.

Sigh, I hate the park situation in the Fair Lakes, Chantilly, etc area- moving from Arlington where they were so busy and great for little ones (tons of ones with toys!).

Really? My 7 yo us bored to tears there. That park sucks. And why no benches? Really Fairfax county playgrounds are abysmal.