By: Sharon Smith, Editor at Delaware State Parks

Where can you take the kids to let them use that extra energy? Visit a Delaware State Park! Delaware State Parks offer countless places to play throughout the state. Check out these five, kid-friendly spots where kids of all ages can play to their heart’s content. Whether it’s swinging on the playground or sliding down the water slides, we’ve got the family covered!

1. Delaware Seashore State Park

Whether you are camping with the kids or you just want to take a break from the beach, Delaware Seashore State Park has two amazing playgrounds to choose from. Parents and grandparents can sit down and relax while the children burn up some energy on the new playground equipment that was installed at the South Inlet campground in 2018. The new playground has everything a child could want: spectacular views of the Indian River Bridge, monkey bars, slides, swings, and a xylophone for budding musicians. The playground even boasts webbing just in case the kids want to get a taste of what it must be like to be Spiderman. The playground is just steps away from the campground and a short walk under the bridge from the beach. For more information, click here.

Delaware Seashore State Park playground with the Indian River Inlet behind.

2. Killens Pond Waterpark

You don’t have to go far or spend a fortune to cool off this summer. Look no further than beautiful Killens Pond in Felton. In addition to gorgeous trails, Killens Pond is home to one of the best deals in Delaware: Killens Pond Water Park. Admission to the park for individuals under 48-inches is just $8 on weekends and $10 for anyone over 48-inches. During the week, the price is $6 and $8 respectively. That is one sweet deal. The park offers amazing water slides that tweens, teens, and adults will love. The younger kids will enjoy splashing under the cascades of water from the towering mushrooms, or they can test their agility on the Lilly pad obstacle course. The smallest kids can enjoy the two frog slides in the baby pool or the pipe waterfall at the Tot Lot. Bring your love of the water, your appetite and, of course, sunscreen. The park serves up tasty hamburgers, hot dogs and other poolside snacks. Come early because the park fills up quick. For more information, click here.

Waterslides at Killens Pond State Park Waterpark.

3. Holts Landing Playground

Holts Landing in Ocean View is one of Delaware’s best-kept secrets. It is remote, rugged and offers beautiful views of the Indian River Bay. Holts Landing is also one of the best spots for crabbing and fishing in Sussex County. Fisherman can hook black sea bass, summer flounder and striped bass. Kids can take a break from fishing and enjoy the newly installed playground located at the head of one of the park’s trails. The playground offers slides and challenges such as three in a row and a frog puzzle. Perhaps the coolest features are the sound exhibits on the equipment. Children can crank the dial to power the exhibit. When they have given the dial enough energy, they will hear a ding. Then, they can press a button to learn about the different water sounds or the different sounds animals in the wild make. For more information, click here.

Holts Landing family fun playground.

4. Trap Pond Playground

Located in Laurel, Trap Pond State Park is the oldest state park in the state. It is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery Delaware has to offer. The pond has everything a nature lover could want: magnificent trails, the nation’s northernmost stand of bald cypress trees and a beautiful pond to kayak in or just admire. For those who need to take a break from all that beauty, the park has a new playground that was installed in 2018 thanks, in part, from a grant offered by the makers of Little Debbie Snacks’ Oh! The Outdoor Happiness Movement. Children can climb tall trees and learn about tree dwellers. They can slide down a slide or hide in a honeycomb. This playground has it all, including benches for mom and dad to sit and relax. To learn more, click here.

Trap Pound State Park playground.

5. The Can-Do Playground

Inside Alapocas Run State Park, just outside of Wilmington is one of the state’s first Boundless playgrounds: The Can-Do Playground. Children of all abilities will all find something to love at this playground. The Can-Do Playground offers ramps, slides, swings, interactive equipment and sand. Perhaps, most importantly, it allows children with disabilities and children without disabilities the opportunity to play together and learn from each other. Since the Can-Do Playground opened in 2007, several other ADA-accessible playgrounds also have happened in Delaware, including Preston’s Playground in Newark. The Can-Do Playground has served as a role model for inclusive playgrounds in the First State. For more information, click here.

Can-Do rock statue with the disability accessible playground behind.

Bring the whole family to any of these great spots this spring!