Looking for a Good Toddler Playground

We love the Longview Farm park in Town and Country off of Clayton rd between Mason and Mason Ridge. They have the rubber ground, climbing for all levels, swings and a beautiful wooded area to go on a nature walk with paved walkways, a pond, a creek and they keep horses in the stables, which kids of all ages LOVE! Worth the drive!

With cooler weather coming, I also like to find good indoor play areas for my kids. We LOVE the St. Louis Mills Mall; the play area is large and squishy...and is based on the characters from PBS kids (Sesame Street, Arthur, etc.) To give your baby room to roam, you probably don't want to go on weekends. BTW - the food court there is really family friendly, if you decide to grab lunch.

For outdoor play, there is a wonderful play area adjacent to the Visitor's Center in Forest Park. There are very nice restrooms in the Visitor's Center (w/ changing station) for cleaning up after playing.

There are a couple of small but nice parks in Olivette and Olivette off of Olive blvd. It is Stacy Park on Old Bonhomme Dr. off of Olive Blvd. If you are traveling east on Olive, when you get to Old Bonhomme, turn right, if traveling west, turn left on Old Bonhomme Rd.

I would also recommend Lindenwood (lots of pieces of equipment) and Francis. If you're near Kirkwood, their park has a great new toddler playground with the squishy surface too. And check with the YMCA near you - we're not members but the one by us has a playground open to the public during regular Y hours.

Also, if you ever want some grown-up company I have a 14 month old son and am always up for meeting new people! We live near the Hill.

Have fun!

I would also recommend Lindenwood park, the playground in Forest Park, and the playground at the Y (on Sublette - we spend time there while big sister has swimming).
We have had several playdates at Tilles as someone already mentioned - I think it is at McKnight and Litszinger. It is great - spacious, swings, large sandbox, lots of stuff to look at/crawl.
If you live in the city, during the summer the Tower Grove Park wading pool and playground can't be beat. Too bad the pool is going to be shut down (if it has not already), but there is a nice playground for toddlers separate from the older kids' playground. It is a nice meeting place for other kids/moms. The Magic House is good also, although in our experience it tended to get crowded.
Oh, I forgot to mention the Botanical Garden - the Children's garden is wonderful with a variety of areas for the little ones, including a sand area where you can bury and dig out vegetables (toy ones!), water park area with sprinklers, a "country store" where kids can sort, fill and empty containers and drawers with produce toys, as well as other more "gross motor" areas. Definitely try it! The Garden is free for St. Louis residents on Wed and Sat mornings, and for the Chidren's arden the kids are just a couple of $$.
This summer we discovered the Tree exhibit there as well - it is to the right od the entrance of the Children's garden. It became a favorite for our preschool group.
Something we have never tried but have heard of is the Discovery Room at the Science Center - there is a fee though, you can check their website.
Good luck! There are a lot of places to explore.

the magic house has a wonderful toddler play area that is inclosed and exclusive to little guys, so the the big kids do not run them over. there is a coupon for the magic house in the entertainment book.

i also like the playgound in forest park by the tennis courts. it is brand new and handicap excessible. there is also a snack stand, bathroom facility, and drinking water.

Hi C.
I live withen walking distance of Lindenwood and Francis Parks, Francis has a brand new playground that is really nice, it has that squishy surface rather than pebbles or mulch. HOWEVER, just a few weeks ago we discoverd the new playground at Tillis, at Mcnight and I think its Warson.
I dont know if its a Ladue or Brentwood park, but it would be totally great for really little kids...tons of fun stuff.
Worth the drive.