Swings, seesaws and slides are three things invariably associated with children’s playgrounds, places where, for generations, childhood innocence has combined with creativity and imagination, offering youngsters escape within city grounds.
The offering at playgrounds has nowadays changed drastically. Slides descend to the ground from far greater heights, constructions seem far more realistic, the play facilities are generally bigger, and dugouts remind of reality TV survival shows.
Modern-day playgrounds promote principles concerning the environment and sustainability as well as social skills through pleasant activities. The majority of municipalities in the wider Athens area have developed children’s playgrounds whose facilities stretch beyond the ordinary, offering greater variety. Consider the alternative children’s playground options listed below for a fun weekend afternoon with your youngsters.
Macedonia Square, Glyfada
The children’s playground at Macedonia Square in Athens’ coastal southern suburb Glyfada is a lively, colourful place immersing children into a completely different dreamlike setting.
The playground features innovative games, probably not seen elsewhere, a safety surface protecting young visitors from danger, even in the event of falls and tumbles, numerous swings enabling fun for all visitors without too much time spent waiting in line, as well as amazing gigantic turtle constructions, all at a park of dense greenery that creates a sense of escape far from the city.
A large wooden castle stands in the middle of the playground, with slides descending from various heights. It is surrounded by swinging horses and seesaws.
Though this children’s playground is not too big, it definitely promises plenty of joy, making it the most exciting playground in the city’s southern suburbs. Its design, also catering to children in wheelchairs, is a major bonus making this playground modern, in the true sense of the word.
Analypseos Park, Vyronas
Analypseos Park, a gem of a children’s playground not far from the city centre, in the Vyronas district, is one of the wider Athens area’s most impressive playgrounds, well worth discovering.
One of the advantages repeatedly highlighted by regular visitors to this playground is its combined offering of two sections, for younger and older children, respectively. This separation increases play safety, a key bonus.
The ground surfaces are brand new, all games meet EU safety standards, and the colours are bright and joyful, all within dense greenery, a dream package for young visitors of all ages.
The playground also caters to longer bicycle rides, while a canteen at the park offers everything needed for a relaxed, fun time out.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Kallithea
An incredible place that needs no introduction, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, in Kallithea, southern Athens, is not only one of Athens’ most impressive spots, but also one of the finest throughout Greece. There is always something new to discover at this expanse.
The National Library and new Greek National Opera, both part of the SNFCC, plus the countless events hosted here, are just some of the reasons that make it worthwhile to keep returning to this gigantic park. Its amazing children’s playground, alone, is an attraction for a lovely family day out. Families from all over Athens are drawn here. Children can be left to roam, enjoy the wooden constructions and extensive dugouts, as well as a range of fantastic games, playing music.
Bridges, running waters, plants, little houses, swinging horses, as well as climbing nets all feature at an environment offering alternative entertainment at a playground unlike any other. The SNFCC’s now-renowned water jets, situated next to the playground, are a big bonus, especially during the summer months. Children wearing their bathers are thrusted up into the air by the water jets, offering lots of play and laughter.
Odos Makedonias, Filothei
Designed on the basis of recycling and sustainability principles, the large children’s playground at Makedonias street in leafy Filothei, northern Athens, offers exciting adventures for children with constructions resembling adventurous battlefields.
This park’s towering slides, alone, are an exciting enough reason for visiting, especially if your children are not afraid of heights and sudden plunges. Younger visitors can also have a great time at a specially designed section of the park, a water-and-mud enclosure, for incredible, endless messy play. Don’t forget to bring along spare clothes for your children as, once the fun is over, they will be covered in dirt and mud from top to bottom, but will have had the time of their life.
If intending to visit during any weekend, get to this Filothei park early as it is an attraction luring numbers, sometimes a slight drawback as the turnout can lead to less free space for play.
Karaiskaki Square, Ano Glyfada
This fairytale-like playground at Karaiskaki Square in Ano Glyfada, southern Athens, featuring a gorgeous, lifelike wooden castle at the middle, is widely regarded as being the most beautiful playground in the capital’s south and one of the most attractive in Athens, overall.
Children can bring to life their knights and princess fables at this setting and also spend time playing at the park’s entertaining tunnel, an innovative installation with running water, as well as the charming little wooden houses.
This playground, incredibly well-kept, also attracts numerous visitors from surrounding districts. Its large size prevents congestion issues. The park is centrally located, making it easy to find, while dozens of shops are situated close by for coffee or food.
Stratarhou Papagou Park, Papagou
An enormous children’s playground replaced, approximately two years ago, a much smaller playground at Papagou Park, in the lush Papagou district, slightly north of the city centre.
The reincarnated children’s playground at Papagou Park, renowned for hosting the Verde café, is one of the wider Athens area’s finest playgrounds, a tremendous spot for spending quality time with your children. It is safe, minimising the need for constant monitoring. This playground covers the needs of very young children (baby swings, plastic slides, swinging games) as well as young teenagers, the offering for this age group including an aerial cable car.
Other playground features include climbing nets and walls, as well as towering slides leading straight into a deep dugout, for spectacular plunges, fun and laughter. Very close to the playground, the park’s running track enables parents to exercise and relax at one of the most organised spots in the northern suburbs.
Extra tip: Papagou park also offers a playground for dogs and cats.
Read also:
5 verdant parks in Attica, safe for strolling and playing with children
Five lush parks in Athens ideal for strolls, outings, exercise
