It all started with a question in our inbox... "Would love to have a story on the best outside playgrounds in the greater Columbus area. Any playgrounds with kid zip lines? Or splash pads?" — Reader Susan P.

You ask, we deliver. Here are 17 playgrounds to explore, with everything from climbing walls to musical games to log cabins.

Columbus

Goodale Park | What parents say
Tucked between the large pond + fountain and Victorian Village are two playgrounds for children.

Schiller Park | What parents say
You’ll find a playground among the many features of this park, including floral gardens and fishing ponds.

Whetstone Park | What parents say
Stop and smell the roses at the Whetstone Park of Roses before moving on to the park’s playground.

Dublin

Emerald Fields | What parents say
This park includes two different large playgrounds, one of which has a musical game for children.

Amberleigh Community Park | What parents say
Kids will adore the play houses set up in a pretend village here, in addition to swings and a slide.

Head to Powell for a splash pad adventure. | Photo by @our_1000_hrs

Powell

Village Green Park | What parents say
Cool off with a larger-than-life interactive splash pad, or head to the playground featuring a bridge, slide, and climbing activities.

Worthington

All Children’s Playground | What parents say
This shady playground features an artificial climbing rock + is accessible for wheelchair use.

Upper Arlington

Miller Park | What parents say
Puzzles, interactive games, and classic playground favorites are adjacent to a small wooded creek with a bridge-lined trail.

Fancyburg Park | What parents say
A StoryWalk surrounds this large park with a baseball diamond, tennis courts, and different playgrounds for children of different ages.

Grove City

Fryer Park | What parents say
What kid wouldn’t want a park with a splash pad in the summer? Climbing structures and a space-themed playground make this park perfect for elementary school-aged children.

Westgrove Park | What parents say
A playground with a musical section is adjacent to wide green spaces and a walking path.

Hilliard

Homestead Park | What parents say
If kids tire of the playground, this park also has a fishing pond + bridge, train station replica, and a paved trail loop connecting to Heritage Rail Trail.

Take the kids to Alum Creek Park North for playtime in a toy train. | Photo by @columbus_playgrounds_

Westerville

Huber Village Park | What parents say

This castle-like playground is sure to get the kiddos excited, with sports fields and a nature area nearby.

Alum Creek Park North | What parents say

Kids ages 5 and under will love this playground’s toy train, while older children will love the webbed climbing structure.

Millstone Creek Park | What parents say
This playground features a variety of activities to keep kids entertained, from climbing to swings to an electronic light-catching game.

Gahanna

Woodside Green Park | What parents say
This unique log playground features tree houses, nets and climbing structures, and an obstacle course.

Bexley

Jeffrey Park | What parents say
Classic playground favorites like swings and slides are surrounded by leafy woods, tennis courts, and walking trails.