Best playgrounds in Queensland: Our favourites from around the state

THERE’S more to a playground than simple swings and slides, if you want to keep the kids’ attention these school holidays, and experts have scoured the state for the best of the best. These are some of Queensland’s best playgrounds.

THERE’S more to a playground than simple swings and slides, if you want to keep the kids’ attention these school holidays.

And experts say dropping your children at the sandpit or climbing gym and then plonking down on the nearest bench to play on your phone isn’t just setting a bad example, it can be dangerous.

Play Australia executive ­director Barbara Champion says the best playground is one that keeps your child’s ­attention for more than a few minutes.

“Children’s ability to move and to run is incredibly important and it’s not just a matter of going up and down a slide,” Ms Champion said.

While playing on a slide is fun, it doesn’t hold their ­interest.

“There’s only a certain number of times you can go down a slide,” she said. “If people actually watch kids outside, you’ll find they’re always engaged with the things they can create and build.

Emily Green, sliding at the Frew Park playground, Milton. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“If the playground is just play equipment they will get bored.”

Ms Champion said the new trend in playgrounds was to incorporate some kind of ­nature play.

“There is an incredible need for kids to be able to spend time in natural environments where they can actually dig in the dirt, play with sand and manipulate what they are playing with,” she said.

She said parents should also look at a park that caters for all ages of children, a fenced playground was important for very young children, and she emphasised that children of all ages needed supervision.

This is often a problem, however, with overly tired and stressed parents letting their children play while they’re busy on their mobile phones.

“The most common complaint that I get these days is about mums using their mobiles phones instead of supervising their children,” she said.

“They sit on the bench and use their mobile phones and then express concern when there littlies get caught up with big kids’ play,” she said.

“Somehow or other, they think that it’s someone else’s responsibility for supervising their child.”

PLAY LIST

There are thousands of parks in Queensland, here are a few of our favourites …

Underwood Park, Priestdale

This is a favourite for southsiders because of its combination of dry rock bed, and adventure playground called Funderwood Hollow, catering for children aged five-16 years. There are castle-themed towers, scramble nets, rope, bridges and a flying fox.

Sam Perry, 3, has fun in Underwood Park. Picture: AAP Image/Jono Searle

Frew Park, Milton

This playground is suited to older kids – aged 10-15 years, but that doesn’t stop mums and dads from bringing their younger children to try the climbing wall and nets and 5m high slide. Plus there’s plenty of open space to kick a ball and a coffee shop attached to the Roy Emerson Tennis Centre. If it gets too chaotic, smaller kids might prefer the fenced Railway Playground on the other side of Milton Rd.

Archie Pucher, 2, of Highgate Hill at Frew Park, Milton. Picture: AAP/ Ric Frearson

New Farm Park,
New Farm

Climbing the fig trees at New Farm Park is a rite of passage for Brisbane kids and the playground gets really busy during the holidays. Instead of driving, make a day of it and catch the CityCat which lands not far from the playground.

Ken Fletcher Park, Tennyson

Inspired by the former Tennyson Power Station, there’s a Power-station-themed play area and, for the littlies a large sandpit. There’s also plenty of climbing nets and space to run around.

Boreham Park, Bundaberg

This is a spot for all ages. There’s a tiny tots area with slide, swings and climbing gym as well as a second area for those aged seven and over with a flying fox and climbing gym. There are also two mini BMX tracks, one for littlies and another for older kids And don’t be misled into thinking the monorail is an easy ride – it’s hard work to get around the 500m track.

Muddy’s Playground, Cairns

If you’re heading north, Muddy’s on The Esplanade is a real treat for the kids with water play areas, a flying fox, sound chimes, a track ride, rope bridge, slides, play houses, storytelling areas, a seesaw, trick track and puzzle games. And best of all for mums and dads, there’s a place to grab a coffee while you watch the kids at play.

Queens Park, Ipswich

It’s hard to beat a park that has its own zoo. Once the kids have tired of the flying fox, and other play equipment, head to the nearby Ipswich Nature Centre. Entry is just a gold coin donation and, if you’re lucky, as well as ­koalas and kangaroos and other natives you might even see a bilby. It’s open seven days a week during the school holidays.

Palm Beach Parklands, Gold Coast

It’s pirates ahoy at the Treasure Island Playground, where kids love the themed slides, spinners and rockers, and activities such as walking the plank, hiding in barrels, rowing the boat and exploring for hidden treasure.

Tracey and Hunter, 1, Gravett are spending the day under the sprinklers at East Shores water play park.

East Shores Water Play Park, Gladstone

Gladstone’s newest park is proving popular with locals and visitors alike – and it’s not hard to see why. The area has views of the harbour with barbecues and lots of green, open space. But the jewel of the precinct is the huge water park that has kids squealing with delight.

Lower Moora Park, Shorncliffe

Featuring a huge timber playground right next to a small beach, this park is a favourite among families on Brisbane’s northside. And you can combine a play date with a visit to the beautiful Shorncliffe Pier a short stroll away, where there’s stunning views of Moreton Bay.