Best Playgrounds in Zurich

When we first moved to Zürich from London, I struggled to find great playgrounds. Zürich is full of natural beauty. With Lake Zürich, swimming, hiking, cycling, skiing, there are all sorts of outdoor activities at our fingertips. So when I think about playgrounds in Zürich, they definitely take a backseat to abundance of amazing outdoor activities for children with all the green space we are so lucky to enjoy here.

But let’s be honest, sometimes we need a playground. Here are our favorite playgrounds in Zürich. These playgrounds include places to eat or grab a coffee. If I’m at a playground, I’m going to need a cup of coffee if not a glass of wine. So these, for us, are the best playgrounds in Zürich.

Lindenhof

Lindenhof Playground

Lindenhof is the easiest playground to get to from the Zurich HB (main train station). I love to meet friends, grab a coffee, and walk up to Lindenhof and have the kids run around while we catch up and drink our coffee. The view of the city is beautiful from here. There are swings at the large square, but then there is a great playground as you walk down the hill away from the ViCafe.

Zürich Zoo

The Zürich Zoo is a must stop when traveling to Zürich with your family. This is a full day excursion as the Zoo is quite large and spread out on a hill with many playgrounds. The Zoo has a wonderful playground right after the entrance next to the cafeteria Pantanal. I like to eat at the quieter Zoo Cafe, then enter the Zoo, and then the kids can play at the playground in front of Pantanal. There are slides and playgrounds throughout the Zoo, we hardly make it to most of them. There is a great playground next to the petting zoo definitely worth going to. The train down to the Elephants is wonderful for the family. On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays there are pony rides and camel rides among many other special events. More of our trips to the Zoo and Easter event.

Zurichbergstrasse 221
8044 Zürich
044 254 25 00

Quatiertreff Enge

Enge GZ

Enge GZ

Enge GZ

Quatiertreff Enge is a wonderful playground in Enge next to the Rietburg Museum. There is a small playground at the bottom of Rietburg Park. But the best playground and area to run around is at the top, at the Enge Quartiertreff, next to the Rietburg Muserum. There is a cafe, sand toys, grass area, playground and plenty of wheely cars to ride around on. There are a lot of wonderful events at the Museum as well as the Quartiertreff, so check online for more details.

Quartiertreff Enge – Gablerstrasse 20, 8002 Zürich
Museum Rietberg – Gablerstrasse 15, 8002 Zürich

China Garden (aka Spielplatz Zurichhorn)

China Garden

China Garden

We love to take the boat to the China Garden. It is also easy to get here by tram from town or walk. The China Garden is actually quite impressive in itself, but we go there for the lake side playground and gelato. The playground is all sand, with a climbing wall, swings, hammocks, and more.

Chinagarten- Spielplatz Zurichhorn
Bellerivestrasse 138
8008  Zürich
Phone: +41 44 380 31 51

Park im Greune

Park im Gruene

Park im Gruene

Park im Gruene

Park im Gruene

Park im Gruene is a fantastic day out for the family. Located in Ruschlikon right off the highway, the park has a Migros cafeteria full of buffet hot food, salad bar, desserts, coffee, wine and anything else you might want to eat. Top tip: walk up to the beginning of the hot food and ask for a “kinder teller” to fill up your kids plates from the hot buffet instead of just giving them a sausage and fries or chicken nuggets and fries. We like to take the plates and fill them with the veggies and noodles they have for the adults. It’s only 6chf for a kinder menu with drink, food, and ice cream! Quite a Zürich deal!

There is an indoor playground which is a life saver in the winter. The playground outside is rather wonderful. On Wednesday and Sundays they have donkey rides, train rides, water park and a puppet show which the kids absolutely love! There is also a great view of Lake Zürich and a small pond. We have spent many full afternoons at Park im Gruene. It’s a mini city escape within Zürich.

Meadow Park
Alsenstrasse 40
8803 Rüschlikon

Josefwiese

Josefwiese

Josefwiese

Josefwiese playground is in the hip Zürich West area under the Viaduct. It is a huge flat grassy area with a playing field and a walking path around it. There are play things all along the sides for kids as well as a playground in the corner nearest to all the shops and cafes of the Viaduct. A wonderful outdoor café is located in this park. We just came here the other day after a wonderful brunch at nearby Maison Blunt and I can’t wait to come back with the family for a great day out. This playground is also quite near Cafe Lang and Frau Gerold’s Garten which are fantastic spots for a bite to eat.

The next playgrounds are a bit outside Zürich, but perfect for those early school release days or weekends:

Jucker Farm
Knies Kinder Zoo
Uetliberg to Felsenegg Planet Trail
Sattel-Hochstuckli