How do kids have so much energy?
While none of us tired, sleep-deprived parents may know the answer to this question, ACMB does have a solution for helping your young ones run off some of that excess energy. San Antonio has great parks in every corner of the city, many of which also include playground areas.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite playgrounds from all over the San Antonio area. Next time you’re looking for an opportunity to get some fresh air and let your kids roam free, try out one of our top 10 favorite playground spots around San Antonio.
1. Bonnie Conner Park
Bonnie Conner Park has an extensive playscape with lots of room to run and play. This playground also has a full suite of in-the-park fitness equipment, so you can get in a mini-workout while you’re watching your kids explore the play area.
In addition to the playground, the park has a walking trail, a large pavilion that’s perfect for birthday parties, and a wide open field for kicking soccer balls, flying kites, and more. And, with the Igo Library only a stone’s throw away, a visit to this park is a recipe for a fun morning with kids.
13345 Woller, San Antonio, TX 78249
2. Cathedral Rock Park
Cathedral Rock has a small but super fun playground with an animal-themed playscape. My daughter loves the “lily pads” that kids can cross between the playground’s slides. 
The park also gets pretty decent shade, so it’s a great place to enjoy some playtime after exploring the winding nature trails. This is a playground and park area where you can stay for hours and not get bored.
8002 Grissom Rd., San Antonio, TX 78251
3. Hardberger Park
Most people who go to Hardberger Park aren’t necessarily headed there for the playground. They’re probably more interested in the park’s wild, untamed, and wonderful atmosphere and its miles of hiking trails. However, for those who do check out the playground areas, you won’t be disappointed.
The park has two separate play spaces. The Park East playground is expansive with a trail connecting multiple smaller play zones. The Park West playground is a more compact space with manmade shade structures, swings, and a super-tall slide.
Phil Hardberger Park East, 13202 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78216
Phil Hardberger Park West, 8400 NW Military Dr., San Antonio, TX 78216
4. Hemisfair Park/Yanaguana Garden
Climb to your heart’s content all over this playground, the jewel of the downtown area. This downtown space is small in land area, but big on interesting and unique things to do. It feels like every time our family visits Yanaguana, there’s a new, fun feature to check out.
Favorite features of the playground area include playhouses, a rope-climbing/net play structure, swings, and more. And that’s in addition to a splash pad, pingpong tables, oversized chess boards, and a sandscaped play area. (Read here for Inga’s awesome and detailed review of the park!)
434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio,TX 78205
5. Landa Gardens
Landa Gardens is a perfect stopping place for an afternoon of outdoor enjoyment. The playground is separated into two areas for kids ages 2–5 and 5–12, but both are easily visible and accessible for parents with kids who want to meander between the two. In addition to the two playscapes, the park also includes a separate swinging areas for big kids and little kids.
The playground and gardens wrap around the beautiful, picturesque Landa Library and also include an open space for free play and a “stage” (technically referred to as a pavilion, but in our family my daughter considers it the perfect place to render dramatic performances).
233 Bushnell, San Antonio, TX 78212
6. MacArthur Park
The best part about the playgrounds at MacArthur Park is that there are so many of them. The park has multiple playscapes for kids of varying ages. While some are quite old, the newest playscape is also the most fun.
It has good shade cover, not to mention climbing and sliding areas for both older and younger children. The park has three or four other large playground equipment sets and swing sets, as well as tennis courts and party pavilions.
1611 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209
7. Orsinger Park
Playgrounds with big trees and adequate shade top my list, and this one has plenty of both.
I also love that the playground has separate spaces for swings, slides, and sand. Because I have younger kids, I like the fact that the swings are set apart a little, so I don’t have to worry about my little ones running in front of high-flying older kids. And, the playground area also has enclosed sandboxes where little ones can amuse themselves for hours.
12230 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78230
8. Pearsall Park
Visit Pearsall Park for the tallest slides you’ve ever seen outside a waterpark. The three-story playscape means entertainment for older kids and tweens, if they’re brave enough to climb it. Meanwhile, the splash pad is fun and refreshing for everyone, especially during those hot summer days.
Everything about Pearsall Park is bigger; it’s the biggest playground in the city with the biggest splash pad, an expansive skate park, and lots of parking. Disc golf, a fitness challenge course, a dog area, and public art installation round out the park’s multi-fold offerings.
(Heather highlighted Pearsall Park’s many amazing features in this post, if you’re looking for a more in-depth review before you check it out for yourself!)
4700 Old Pearsall Rd., San Antonio, TX 78242
9. Schertz Library Park
Schertz Library Park is a fun play space with a library attached (always my favorite for playgrounds, because it allows you to extend your time in one location with fewer car seat battles).
In addition to the large play structure with slides and swings, you’ll find several unique features at Schertz Library Park, including a train-shaped play structure, a “boat” attached to the main playscape, and a story walk around the playground’s perimeter.
798 Schertz Parkway, Schertz, TX 78154
10. Woodlawn Lake Park
Woodlawn Lake Park is another one of those locations that has a little something for everyone. The park has great play structures, with a variety of activities for kids to choose from. Its shaded pavilion hosts a set of fitness machines along with a fantastic view of Woodlawn Lake.
If you’re not already ready to load up your car for a visit, we haven’t even mentioned the ducks yet! Lots of friendly waterfowl traverse the fields around the playground, as well as the lake itself, in case you’re interested in bringing them some healthy snacks (fruits and grains, not bread).
The park also includes a community health and wellness center, a pool, and tennis courts.
221 Alexander Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78201
Honorable Mention: Rainbow Event Center
Technically it’s not a playground; it’s a place of business. However, Rainbow Event Center has some of the coolest playground and recreation equipment around in their interactive showroom just outside 1604 going toward Boerne.
If you’re shopping for a play set or trampoline for your own home, make sure you check this place out. And, be sure to set aside some time to play, because once your kids get a glimpse of the enormous palace playground set, they’ll definitely be ready to stay for a few hours.
17 Old San Antonio Rd., Boerne, TX 78006
Do you know of any great San Antonio playgrounds we’ve missed? We’d love to hear your favorite play spots around the city so we can add them to our list! Feel free to share them in the comments.
