Van Horne Park

This is a gorgeous playground that was recently updated. It features two climbing structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. The little kid structure features 3 slides, steps, 2 ladders, a tunnel, and a semi-enclosed playhouse area. The big structure is one of the most challenging I've seen. It has multiple slides, steps, ladders, monkey bars, balance beam, and an enclosed playhouse/treehouse.  The facilities also include bathrooms and a covered picnic shelter.

The problem I had with this playground was that the young children make a beeline for the super-cool big kid climbing structure, but it is so challenging that it really requires an adult to go up with them. I thought it was potentially too challenging even for a 5 year old to navigate alone. The platforms are very high (up to 8 feet), and there are all kinds of gaps, including a gap in the platform floor. It's a shame because the little kid structure was also very interesting, but my kids didn't give it the time of day as soon as they saw the big one. Also, note there are no swings at this playground, so you can't do the age old trick of sticking your little one in the toddler swing while your older kid plays on the climbing structure.

The best thing about this playground was the frequent small planes buzzing by overhead, coming in for a landing at the nearby Princeton Airport.

Oh well. We'll give it another try in a few years...


Address: 1225 State Rd 206, Rocky Hill, NJ (behind the Princeton North Shopping Center)

Free parking: Yes (parking lot)
Fenced in: No
Playground surface: Wood chips
Playground platform height:  8 feet (big kid structure), 5 feet (little kid structure)
Shade: None
Bathrooms: Yes
Picnic area: Yes (covered structure)
Playground features: 2 climbing structures, baseball diamond, open lawn

Little kids climbing structure

Big kids climbing structure

Gaps in platform of big kids climbing structure (5-6 feet off the ground)

Elevated balance beam on big kids climbing structure (5-6 feet off the ground)

Picnic area

Bathrooms

 Airplanes overhead

JerZJump Toddler Area

Address: 51 Stouts Ln, Monmouth Junction
http://www.jerzjump.com/

This indoor play center features inflatables for older kids, but the best kept secret is the large toddler play area in back. This is a nice option for the under 2 crowd. The ideal age is probably 12-18 months, and even infants under 12 months will find stuff to do. Note the height limit is supposedly 34 inches (not strictly enforced - my boys are a little over that height but no one gave us a hard time). There is an admission fee of $5/child for the toddler area only. Adults are free. We were there on a Thursday afternoon and there was no one else there in the toddler area. It seemed clean - no visible grim, although a bit messy with toys strewn all around. There is a lot of background noise due to the inflatables, so you have to speak loudly. The batteries were dead in all of the toys that took batteries - maybe on purpose to keep the sound level from becoming too deafening.

Free parking: Yes (parking lot)
Fenced in: Yes (one open gap in the fence for entering and exiting)
Playground surface: Carpet and various play mats
Playground platform height:  18 inches max
Shade: Indoors
Bathrooms: Yes
Picnic area: No outside food or drink allowed. There is a snack bar with seating.
Playground features: Children's Factory soft toys for climbing and tunneling, ride-on toys, push toys, play kitchen, play house, small Step2 slide, TV playing cartoons with no audio.

Marquand Park

This is a beautiful neighborhood park that includes playground structures and an arboretum with paved walking paths. It usually attracts the 5 and under crowd.

Address: 87 Lovers Ln, Princeton

Free parking: Yes (parking lot)
Fenced in: No
Playground surface: Wood chips
Playground platform height:  About 4 feet
Shade: Lots of mature trees, a mix of sunny and shady areas
Bathrooms: None (there is a water fountain)
Picnic area: Yes (a few picnic tables, no covered structure)
Playground features: climbing structure, 2 toddler swings, 2 kid swings, huge sandbox with sand toys, baseball diamond, walking paths, open lawn

The climbing structure includes 2 slides, a rock wall, 2 ladders, 2 steering wheel toys, and steps. The sign says for ages 2-5, but you'll see lots of toddlers under 2 on here. There are not a lot of gaps, and the highest platform is around 4 feet off the ground.

 Easy steps for toddlers. These guys are about 35" tall, to give you an idea.

 One of the two steering wheel toys.

 Here's the huge sandbox!!

 Note the climbing structure is located adjacent to the parking lot.

Plenty of open space to run around or wander on the paved walking paths.

Welcome to the Princeton Area Playground blog!

As a mom, I'm always on the look-out for new playgrounds and kid-friendly spaces to challenge my growing little ones. It can be so frustrating to plan an outing to a new spot, only to discover it isn't age-appropriate when we get there. We need a way to check things out online ahead of time!

My idea for this blog is to provide detailed descriptions and photos of play areas I visit in Princeton, NJ and surrounding towns. My hope is that other local moms will guest post on their favorite playgrounds as well. Please get in touch if you'd like to contribute!