See what's actually there before you arrive. From slides and toddler swings to nearby toilets. All checked by parents who've been. Save your favourites, and add what you know, so the next family knows too.
Why parents and guardians will love it
See what's really at a playground before you set off. Is it fenced, is there my child's favourite thing, is there something for the baby, is the toilet actually open.
Toddler swings, water play, parking. Tick what matters and find the playground that fits.
Save the spots your children love and remember them for different days out, so a good afternoon is always a tap away.
Every detail comes from mums, dads, grans and grandad's who've stood at the fence with a toddler on their hip.
The reason it's here
It's mid-afternoon, the kids need running about, and you're stood there wondering which park is actually worth the walk and will get the energy out of the little ones. The nearest one isn't always the right one for now. One has a fence, shade and swings the baby can use, whilst the next is a windswept slide by a busy road. You only find out when you get there, usually with a cross toddler and nowhere to sit.
So we made a helping hand that tells you first. Not a corporate directory, and not a chirpy lifestyle app, just a genuinely useful companion that gets better because parents look out for each other. Real playgrounds, reviewed by real parents, for parents.
“Every time someone adds a working loo, a new toddler swing, a bit of fencing, the map gets a little truer for the family heading there next.”
How it works
Open the map and see every playground around you, near-ish or worth the little detour.
Tap a spot to see what's actually there. Fencing, equipment, parking or loos. Added by parents who've been.
Keep the ones that work in your own list, ready for next time the children need somewhere to go.
The superpower
Every family needs something different on the day. A fence between the slide and the road. A loo for the inevitable moment. Tick what matters and the map shows you the playgrounds that fit the bill.
Real playgrounds, reviewed by real parents.
Add what you know
Every playground on here will get a little better because a parent took ten seconds to share what they spotted. They saw the gate that keeps the little ones in, the new climbing frame, the swing that's been broken for weeks. Adding it is quick and easy, never a chore, and it quietly helps every family who comes after you.
Look out for the next family, the way you'd hope they'd look out for yours.
Plus, we won't ask for your information that we don't need, ensuring your information is private.
Whilst Places To Play is free to its users, hosting the database, maintaining the applications and moderating the contributions is not.
If you would like to contribute to server costs, either as a one-off donation or regular gift, then you can do so via Buy Me A Coffee (although we prefer hot chocolate).
Support via Buy Me A CoffeeSponsorship of the website and app is also available. Or if you'd like to discuss other corporate opportunities, drop us an email. We'd love to hear from you.
Send us an emailHow we compare
We're not perfect, but here's how we stack against some of the other apps you might've come across.
| Places To Play | Playground Buddy | Great British Play Map | The Playground App | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advert free | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| No login required | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Privacy focused | Yes | No | No | No |
| Built for the UK | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Android & iOS apps | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web app | No | No | Yes | No |
Correct as of August 2026. Verifiable by downloading each app or visiting their websites.
We're putting the finishing touches to Places To Play. But if you want to lend a helping hand, or contribute playground data straight away, drop us an email.
Send us an email