The birthday child and their mateys can play on a giant pirate ship at Anacostia Park. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

Best Parks & Playgrounds for Kids' Birthday Parties in DC

1. Anacostia Park

At this beautiful waterfront park's pirate-themed playground, kids can climb aboard a giant pirate ship, shimmy up masts, and go down slides. There are also three other playgrounds and a roller-skating pavilion in the park. Plenty of parking and public restrooms make Anacostia Park a convenient spot for kids' birthday parties.

Party spaces: Snag one of the park's many picnic tables and grills, or bring your own charcoal grill. Apply for a special-use permit for a larger gathering.

2. Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center Playground

Big kids love the amazing play structures at this Chevy Chase playground. The centerpiece is a giant climbing area with spiderweb-like ropes leading up to a huge gray tunnel slide. Local kids call it “The Elephant” because the slide resembles an elephant’s trunk. There is also a fenced toddler play area with smaller slides and climbing structures, play houses, bucket swings, and a sand pit. A sprinkler area with giant flower sprayers and a water table is open in the summer. A restroom and water fountains are available.

Party spaces: Apply for a permit online to reserve the on-site gazebo.

3. Guy Mason Recreation Center Playground

This playground has lots of cool stuff for kids of all ages. Older kids will enjoy the cool observatory tower, net climbers, stainless steel tunnel slide, and more. For toddlers and preschoolers, there's a wooden playhouse in the center of a sandpit, low-to-the-ground balance beams, and a gently sloping roller-pin slide. Restrooms are available when the rec center is open, and there's a convenient parking lot that borders the Vice President's home.

Party spaces: Apply for a permit online to reserve an on-site picnic area for kids' birthday parties.

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A Cameron Run Regional Park birthday party is a hole in one. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks

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4. Cameron Run Regional Park — Alexandria

A water park, a mini golf course, batting cages, and a 2,400-square-foot outdoor play structure called Paradise Play are all part of the fun at Cameron Run Regional Park. A Classic Birthday Party includes unlimited mini golf and use of Paradise Play for two hours. Or, opt for a summertime birthday party at Great Waves Water Park, which includes all-day admission to the water park, unlimited use of the batting cages and mini golf, two slices of pizza, drinks, a party assistant, and more.

Party spaces: A Classic Birthday Party includes use of one of two covered shelters: the Hula Hut, located on the miniature golf course; or the Tiki Hut next to Paradise Play. For a Great Waves Water Park party, you'll get private use of one of two birthday areas from 1-4pm: Cowabunga Cove near the baby pool or North Shore next to the wave pool. Both areas include two picnic tables and a large shade structure.

5. Clemyjontri Park — McLean

This fully accessible playground features over two acres of play space that kids of all abilities can enjoy. There are play structures with slides, monkey bars, and balance challenges, as well as a variety of climb-on toys including cars, buses, planes, and animals. There are also dozens of swings and a maze to explore. During the summer, party guests can ride on a large carousel and a trackless train. There is plenty of parking, and you’ll find vending machines, on-site bathrooms, and lots of shady spots.

Party spaces: Try your luck at snagging a picnic table, or reserve a picnic shelter or canopy area online.

 
There is lots for birthday party guests to explore at Chessie's Big Backyard. Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority

6. Chessie's Big Backyard — Alexandria

This amazing, accessible playground at Franconia Family Recreation Area features a padded rubber surface and lots of structures to climb, crawl, and slide on. There is also the 2,160-foot Chessie’s Trail full of sensory features like a sound garden and animal figures. A carousel runs from April to October. Our Special Harbor sprayground, open in the summer, has fun features including a spraying osprey nest, misting sunflowers, fountains, and water tables. Call the rec center at 703-922-9841 to make a group reservation for the sprayground.

Party spaces: Reserve a picnic shelter for kids' birthday parties online.

7. Burke Lake Park — Fairfax Station

This 888-acre park has four small playgrounds scattered throughout, all of which have restrooms nearby. One of the playgrounds is located near an ice cream parlor, a mini golf course, a train, and a small carousel, making it an ideal spot to host kids' birthday parties full of fun activities. Park admission is always free for Fairfax County residents, but there is a per-car fee for non-county residents on weekends and holidays from April through late October. You can pre-pay the fee for party guests by downloading and submitting the gate pre-payment form.

Party spaces: Three picnic shelters near the ice cream parlor are available to rent online for a two-hour time period. Each shelter holds 30 people.

8. Frying Pan Farm Park — Herndon

In addition to a fun playground and carousel, Frying Pan Farm Park is also home to Kidwell Farm, a recreation of a '30s working homestead. From March through November, kids ages 2 and older can have a Barnyard Bash that includes a meet-and-greet with three farm animals, a private wagon ride, and old-fashioned games. There's also a Kidwell Deluxe Package that includes an additional craft and the option to replace the wagon ride with a carousel ride.

Party spaces: Both party packages includes a reserved 20- by 40-foot shade tent with six picnic tables. You can also reserve the park's indoor Visitor Center classroom for a minimum of two hours. 

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Watkins Regional Park is the perfect place for a Wizard of Oz-themed birthday bash. Photo courtesy of Landscape Structure

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9. Watkins Regional Park — Upper Marlboro

The Wizard of Oz-themed playground at Watkins Regional Park is a magical place for a birthday party. Kids can slide down a giant pair of Dorothy’s ruby slippers, climb on towers that look like the Emerald City, play in Auntie Em’s playhouse, and more. Partygoers can also ride a carousel and a train or play a round of mini golf from May through October. Note: The train is currently undergoing major track renovation and will not be operating until further notice.

Party spaces: Call 301-699-2400 to reserve a picnic area or 301-218-6757 to book a mini golf party on the course's outdoor patio. If your child is an animal lover, you can also book a birthday party at the on-site Watkins Nature Center.

10. Spirit Park Carousel and Playground — National Harbor

A standard birthday party at Spirit Park includes a party host, 12 balloons, two hours of unlimited rides on the 36-foot Americana-themed carousel, and use of the adjacent playground (which includes a climbing structure, slides, and a toddler play area). Or opt for the deluxe package, through which guests can also enjoy Dippin Dots treats, goodie bags, and beverages. Only birthday cake or cupcakes are allowed with the standard package, but outside food is welcome with the deluxe package.

Party spaces: The standard package includes two hours of reserved space, while the deluxe package grants use of a covered party pavilion. Or, rent a private venue for an additional fee.

11. Wheaton Regional Park — Silver Spring

This park's Adventure Playground, renovated in 2020, includes a dedicated toddler area filled with concrete animals and a sandbox. For the more adventurous, there are slides of all sizes (including one long tunnel slide) a climbing mound and nets, and a climbing wall. There are also swings, monkey bars, balance challenges, and tunnels. Partygoers can ride the miniature train and the classic carousel, both of which operate from May to August. There is plenty of parking, and bathrooms are located near the playground.

Party spaces: Reserve one of eight picnic shelters online or by contacting the permits office, or try for a first-come, first-served picnic table and/or grill. You can also rent the Wheaton Train Station Party Room. Kids' birthday parties are available at the park's Brookside Nature Center, Wheaton Ice Arena, Wheaton Sports Pavilion, and Wheaton Park Stables as well.

Birthday guests will delight in a miniature train ride at Cabin John Regional Park. Photo courtesy of Montgomery Parks

12. Cabin John Regional Park — Bethesda

At this large park's Adventure Playground, kids can climb, crawl through tunnels, swing, slide, and make music on the play equipment. There is plenty of shade, plus nearby bathrooms and picnic tables. A piggy trash can called “Porky the Litter Eater,” which talks when you feed it trash, encourages young guests to help clean up. Add a ride on the miniature train, which runs April through October, as an extra birthday activity.

Party spaces: Reserve a picnic shelter online, or try to snag one of the picnic tables right next to the playground. The Train Station Party Room is also a great indoor option for train lovers. Or, host a birthday party at Locust Grove Nature Center or Cabin John Ice Rink, both located within the park.

13. Greenbriar Local Park — Travilah

This 25-acre park that opened in 2016 includes two themed playgrounds. Kids ages 2-5 can enjoy a Chesapeake-themed playground with a climb-on fishing boat, a push-and-play "Sounds of the Chesapeake" board, spring riders, and more. Children ages 5-12 can climb, jump, slide, and swing on the large Piedmont Play Fort.

Party spaces: Reserve a picnic shelter online from April 1 through October 1, or try your luck grabbing a picnic table.

14. South Germantown Recreational Park — Boyds

There are so many options for kids' birthday parties at this massive park. The seven-acre Adventure Playground features five themed areas, including a Royal Castle playground structure and a pirate-ship playground for younger children. There's also an incredible splash park and an 18-hole mini golf course open in the summer. Free parking is available, and there are changing areas and public restrooms.

Party spaces: Reserve a picnic shelter online or rent a tent at the splash park. You can even rent the entire splash park and mini golf course from 6-8pm. Young tennis lovers might also enjoy a birthday party at the on-site TennisPlex.