My kids are four and five, and we love to spend our weekends and summers exploring the Seacoast. Our adventures range from Seacoast hikes to beach days to local excursions. I love trying everything this area of New Hampshire has to offer. Here are my (and my kids) picks for best playgrounds on the New Hampshire Seacoast!
Best Seacoast Playground With A Sandbox
Little River Park – 39 North River Road, Lee, NH 03861
Looking for the Seacoast’s biggest sandbox? Check out Little River Park in Lee, NH! A two tiered sandbox that often has quality sand toys scattered throughout is the perfect place to bring your sand-loving kid. It also has a climbing structure, swings, and small slide. There’s plenty of parking, porta potties, basketball courts, and a great little in the woods and to the river. This playground is best for ages 0-5.
Best Seacoast Playground With A Splash Pad
Noble Pines Park and Splash Pad – 45 Grand Street, Somersworth, NH
If your kid needs to cool down in summer time, visit Somersworth’s Noble Pines Park and Spash Pad! A seasonal splash pad offers spurting jets, sprinklers, and showers. This playground also includes both a little kid and big kid climbing structure. There is also a covered picnic area. Street parking is free but limited and can be busy in peak hours and weekends during the summer. Due to the various structures, this playground is best for age 2 and up.
Best Seacoast Playground that isn’t Plastic
Moharimet Elementary School – 11 Lee Rd, Madbury, NH 03823
Are you looking for an old-school playground made of wood and metal? Check out Madbury’s Moharimet Elementary School’s amazing castle and slides. Make sure you come after school hours or during the summer. Your kids will love the wooden castle, climbing features and two story slide. Due to the epic size of this playground, it’s best for age 5 and up.
Best Seacoast School Playground
Epping Elementary School – 17 Prospect St, Epping, NH 03042
There’s stiff competition to claim the best school playground on the Seacoast! In my (and my kids) opinion, this title belongs to Epping Elementary School. From the awesome climbing structures, to the sandbox, to an amazing zipline, this playground has it all. Make sure you visit after hours if you want to try it out. This is perfect for ages 6-12.
Best Playground by a Pool
Hanson Pines – Yeagley Way, Rochester, NH 03867
Want to take a dip, then play on the playground after, or maybe go on a short hike? Check out Dominicus Hanson Pines playground and pool. Located right next to Spaulding High School, this playground just got remade in 2020 and has high quality swings, play structures, and merry-go-round geared for ages 2-6. It’s just next to the Hanson Pines outdoor pool that opens in the summer. Take some summer swim lessons, and hit up the playground after! Still have energy? Walk the 0.7 mile path down to the Cocheco river and back.
Best Playground by the Beach
Hampton Beach Playground – Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
Which do your kids like more – beach day or playground day? Make it both at Hampton State Park’s playground at the beach. Swings, slides, and a boat shaped play structure make this set up for elementary school age children. Take your shoes off to enjoy the sand while you play!
Best Natural Playscape
Great Bay Discovery Center – 89 Depot Rd, Greenland, NH 03840
Looking for more of a natural playscape? Head over to the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland. Take your children on the half mile boardwalk trail where they can climb on boats, hop stump to stump, follow tracks on a boardwalk, and run on the woodland trail. When you return to the parking lot, head over to the natural playscape that includes a treehouse, building blocks, rope swing, teeter totter, and small slide. It’s shady and perfect for a hot summer day. Enjoy your snack in the picnic pavilion! Children of all ages will find something they love here. This trail and other family friendly trails are featured in Seacoast Hikes and Nature Walks.
This list is my picks for best Playgrounds on the New Hampshire Seacoast, but you might have your own! Why not make it a family goal to try out five new playgrounds this spring/summer – we even have a more comprehensive list of playgrounds on the Seacoast for you to try. You and your kids might have a real Seacoast adventure!
