As fun and easy as it is for your kids to play at home in their own backyard, sometimes you want to get out and explore other opportunities. When you visit parks for kids, you can meet other parents and have an adult conversation while the children run around in a safe environment. Your kids can meet and enjoy new friends and play on equipment you don’t have at home.
There are lots of parks for kids in and around San Jose. Some are neighborhood playgrounds with a couple of swings or a slide, and some are very large with numerous things to do. But where are the best ones? To some degree, that depends on age, but many parks are designed to offer something for every child from toddlers on up.
Here are some of the best parks for kids in San Jose:
Oakwood Ave. and Camden Ave.
You’ll find two great playgrounds inside this park; the one designated “Youth Playground” is for kids between 5 and 12. The park is more commonly know for being a dog park, so if you don't have a four legged friend to bring you may want to keep looking down our list.
Pearlwood Way and Cahalan Ave.
This neighborhood park offers different types of equipment for different ages.
Pso del Oro and Via del Mar
This compact play area is low-profile, perfect for your little ones.
Morrill Ave. and Cataldi Drive.
Here you’ll find equipment to play on as well as a rock climbing wall and lots of lush grass for a game of soccer or football. Picnic tables, too.
Princeton Drive and Marquette Drive
This large neighborhood park also includes lots of grass to run around or play a ball game, plus two play structures.
Groesbeck Hill Park and Million Ct.
Your tots can use the playground while the older kids climb on the structure nearby.
1650 Senter Road
Plenty for the whole family here, not just space to run around but many hands-on activities.
White Oaks Ave. and Twilight Drive
Basketball hoops, tennis courts, three separate play areas for different ages and picnic tables with shade. Sometimes the community center here features events hosted by the San Jose Astronomical Association for adults and kids interested in the stars.
Jake’s Play Lot (inside Parma Park)
Camden Ave. and Dwyer Ave.
There are swings, jungle gyms, a climbing wall, tiny train, water play area and a fenced space for toddlers.
Knox Ave. and Story Road
Slides, swings and plenty of space to climb. But why play there when you can pet the farm’s goats, pigs, cows and chickens?
Pine Ave. and Bird Ave.
Separate play areas for big and little kids, plus tennis and basketball courts and baseball diamonds.
Roy Ave. and Spadafore Ave.
Very cool -- who wouldn’t want to play on a pirate ship?
Ryland Park Drive and Ryland Park Way
The playground within this park has a train theme.
St. James Park
E. St. John St. and N. 3rd
Located right in downtown San Jose, this park has picnic tables and separate playgrounds for kids 2-5 and 5-12.
Piazza Di Valencia and Olin Ave.
This mall includes a smaller play area for little ones age 2-5, perfect to let off some steam after shopping with you.
Blossom Hill Rd. and Hillview Ave.
This is another mall that gives you a chance to reward the kids for their good shopping behavior with some play time at the park that’s just outside.
Zolezzi Park
Hermocilla Way and S. King Rd.
Playgrounds as well as parcourses provide fun and exercise for all ages.
There is no end of choices when it comes to finding parks for kids in San Jose. Which one is really best? You’ll have to ask the kids.
