I’ll be honest with you. Pre-kids, I didn’t get the obsession with playgrounds. Pre-kids, I’m not even sure what I thought when I saw a playground. I think probably nothing at all?
And now, when we are traveling somewhere, “playground” in the native language is my first word I look up in Google Translate. In Paris we were looking for “aire de jeux,” and in Ghent we looked for “speeltuin baudelohof.”
Pro-tip: I mean it, look up the word for playground in whatever the local language is. Your Google Map search results become INFINITELY better when you do this.
And those two cities were just urban playgrounds. What about the destination playgrounds? The ones that take one train, two cable cars, and one funicular up to the top, the kind that LITERALLY take your breath away when you arrive?
So, here’s to you, playgrounds. Our family’s absolute must-have when traveling, the constant day-saver when everything goes awry, and yes, our new “pillar” when crafting our daily itineraries.
Let’s talk timing
Playground in the AM? After quiet time? While waiting for a meal or the next reserved entry time?
I’ve not found a right answer to this question, tbh.
What I will say is that when our kids KNOW that a particular playground is PART of the itinerary for that day, their behavior is better. “Yes, yes, that’s coming right after lunch today.” “OH we’re actually going to go there before the museum this morning!”
Maybe it’s just the knowledge and trust they have in the itinerary once they know that part of the day is literally for them? Maybe it’s the ability to know they can let loose and be kids at some point in the day.
Regardless, when planning your trip, create a Google Map. You can do this a couple ways.
1- use Google Maps and “save” locations,” or
2- use My Maps (also by Google) and create a custom map.
I actually do both, but find the system that works for you.
Then I find ALL the playgrounds (don’t forget, research it in the local language!) in that city, or that region, and I put a pin there. Slowly, I build our playground layer of our map, with way more options than we could ever visit in one trip.
Next, you’re going to forget about the playgrounds for just a moment, and then start building your other days, museums, and activities.
THEN use your playground map layer to fill in.
Here’s an example.
One morning in Paris, we wanted to make sure we stopped at Musée Rodin. After that, we were going to head to the Eiffel Tower for a picnic.
IF we walked about 1 block out of our way, we would actually cross right by a playground on our walk. So, we plotted our walking course to give the kids a quick playground break before we headed towards the Eiffel Tower. Was it the coolest playground in the world? Nope, it was pretty tiny (see photo below).
BUT it was a true Parisian park, and it had a lovely Eiffel Tower view too. It didn’t matter how big or small the playground was, it was a literal “factory reset” button for the kids’ behavior in between our two big activities.
Here’s the big thing that’s changed as I plan our trips now…
I intentionally build in playground time. It’s not interchangeable with “kids museum,” nor ice cream. (Ask me how I know it’s not interchangeable, please.)
Find them, and build them in if you are able.
You will ALL be happier travelers if you can manage this. 🙂
