On a beautiful day, (like the ones we've been having lately) a playground can be every parent’s best friend. They are, after all, a great FREE way to get you and the kids out of the house for a bit! But a great Chattanooga playground is so much more than just a play structure. So, if you’re on the fence about whether or not to start making a trip to the playground a part of your routine, consider the following benefits:
Physical Development:
When your kiddos are climbing, swinging, jumping, and running around these Chattanooga playgrounds, they’re building important gross motor skills and strengthening coordination! Not to mention, they’re also building muscle strength and burning off plenty of extra energy!
Social Skills:
Playgrounds are wonderful places where kids can learn to interact with their peers and learn how to share, take turns, and engage in cooperative play. Plus, they're building communication skills by engaging in conversations, playing, and expressing their ideas. These critical concepts set your child up for a lifetime of social success. They are additionally important if they aren’t enrolled in a daily daycare or school setting where they’re around their peers most of the day.
Cognitive Development & Sensory Stimulation:
As your little one figures out how to climb a structure or navigate a maze, they’re navigating challenges that require problem-solving skills! Using their imagination and playing “pretend” also allows them to put their creativity to good use, too. Numerous studies have shown that kids learn best through experience and exploration, and playgrounds are an excellent way to offer tactile experiences! From playing in the grass or the sand to vestibular stimulation like swinging and spinning, a trip to the playground engages almost all of the senses. Except, hopefully, taste…unless you brought a picnic!
Health Benefits:
We all know the benefits of getting some good exercise, and a playground is basically a kid’s gym! Playing on a playground promotes overall physical health and well-being. Additionally, being outside promotes a sense of appreciation for the environment.
Family Bonding
Last and certainly not least, a trip to the playground is a great way to spend some quality time together as a family. It gives everyone an excuse to step away from screens for a while and just enjoy playing with one another in the fresh air!
Check Out Some Of My Family's Favorite Chattanooga Playgrounds!
Starting to believe me? I can make it even easier! Here are just a few of the many Chattanooga playgrounds for you to explore with your little ones!
Miracle League Playground Warner Park
301 N Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Miracle League Playground at Warner Park is a playful reflection of the nearby Chattanooga softball facilities. It features a variety of brightly colored structures designed for kids of all ages and abilities, creating a truly inclusive space for kids to come together and play. In fact, it was designed utilizing PlayCore’s 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design, a system designed to create and update play structures to be inclusive of kids of all abilities. There are slides, climbing structures, ramps, swings, and plenty of fun sensory elements to explore! Plus, most of the structure is shaded, so it’s still usable on hot summer days. Check out the nearby Spray and Play splash pad if you need to cool down!
Vandergriff Park
1414 Gadd Road, Hixson, TN 37343
Vandergriff Park covers about 3 acres of land in Chattanooga and is the perfect place for a beautiful day
out of the house! It’s home to three playgrounds that accommodate children of all ages, with age-appropriate equipment so everyone can play! Surrounding the play structures is a short walking track
(about .2 miles) that is perfect for stretching your legs or taking a little break from climbing, jumping, and
swinging. There are benches and picnic tables throughout the park that are great for a snack break or for
grown-ups to sit and watch as their little one plays. There’s also a covered pavilion nearby with attached
restrooms - a huge perk! A playground with a pavilion is a great option for kids birthday parties, too!
Pumpkin Patch - Signal Mountain
1836 Taft Hwy, Signal Mountain, TN 37377
The Pumpkin Patch has been a beloved Chattanooga-area playground since it was first built back in 1996. Nearly 30 years later, it’s still a go-to for thousands of families every year! It was originally built by Signal Mountain resident and pediatrician Dr. Jones and a collection of parents who saw a need for a shaded, natural, and centrally located playground on top of Signal Mountain. Every feature at the Pumpkin Patch is made from natural materials, and the majority of the main play structures are wooden. Be sure to check out the 50’ Falling Water slide (a regular slide, not a waterslide!), which is one of the most popular draws at the park!
Tennessee Riverpark
4301 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37405
The Tennessee Riverpark starts at Chickamauga Dam and stretches ten miles along the Tennessee River to downtown Chattanooga. It’s a great place for walking, running, biking, and plenty of other outdoor activities. Families love the playground area, complete with two separate play spaces - one with age-appropriate equipment for younger kids and the other more suited for older kids. There are several large covered areas with picnic tables when it’s time to refuel and a large open field that is perfect for
chasing after balls, flying kites, or enjoying any of your other favorite outdoor activities! Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the multiple piers stretching out over the water, too!
St. Elmo Park
4909 St. Elmo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409
St. Elmo Park recently underwent a huge renovation, thanks to the assistance of a BlueCross Healthy
Place grant. It’s now home to beautiful and accessible play areas for kids of all abilities, divided into two
separate areas determined by age. There’s plenty of ramp access and the entire playground sits atop a soft rubber safety surface that is ideal for wheelchairs and strollers. A nearby community lawn is also perfect for picnics and free play, and a fun challenge course offers a variety of obstacles to physically challenge visitors of all ages! One of my favorite memories is making up obstacle courses with my dad and siblings and timing each other to see who could complete it the fastest.
Little Debbie Park
4698 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN 37363
No list of Chattanooga area playgrounds would be complete without listing one of our newest parks, Little Debbie Park in Collegedale! It's definitely worth the drive for my family and provides many exciting play areas along with giant-sized Little Debbie treats to climb over. The park sits on 10 acres of greenspace that McKee Foods, the producer of the iconic Little Debbie treats, donated to the city and includes a pavilion, walking paths, and lots of benches and giant swings for parents to rest on while kids play.
I Hope You And Your Little Ones Enjoy These Great Chattanooga Playgrounds!
Which local park is your favorite? These Chattanooga playgrounds are wonderful ways to get out of the house and get your kids active! You’ll love watching them learn as they play and explore - and if they're anything like my girl, napping in the car on the way home! Is there a favorite park that I missed? Let me know with the form below! I'd love to know which parks are your favorites to explore! And maybe we'll see you there!
In much the same way that playing at the park together promotes family bonding, a family photo session can accomplish the same! Especially with the way that I like to run my sessions. As a Chattanooga photographer, I love to use the exploration of your photo location as a family and family games to create space for natural interactions and candid moments as part of your session. A family photo session can turn your family’s memories into priceless artwork to remind you of these precious times that go by all too quickly. Reach out to start planning your perfect photo session today!
Check out more of these Spring photos in Chattanooga
