As a local Mom who has raised her kids in nearby Canmore, my family spends a ton of time in the Town of Banff. With so many amazing playgrounds in Banff, it’s nearly impossible to keep my kids away. So, armed with over a decade of experience, I can share with you my list of the best Banff playgrounds.
As the vast majority of families visiting Banff are tourists, my list of Banff playgrounds are all within easy walking distance to downtown. I’ll share what my kids love, the little details that will make your time smoother, and a few parent-to-parent tips you won’t find elsewhere.
4 Playgrounds in Banff Near Downtown
1) The Sundance Playground (in Sundance Park)
If you only have time to visit one playground, make it this one – it’s easily the best playground in Banff. The Adventure & Nature Playground at Sundance Park (formerly the Banff Recreation Grounds) is a huge, nature-themed playground with big kid thrills and plenty for younger ones too.
The Adventure & Nature Playground features tree towers, ziplines, a 32 foot spiral slide, balancing logs, and a “Golden Eagle nest” perch that our kids love climbing to. Be warned – this is a proper destination playground, not a five minute stop!
Playground Stats
- Ages: The Town of Banff lists Sundance Park’s play area as 2 – 12.
- Highlights: 5 slides (including the tall spiral), 2 ziplines, climbing tree towers, giant hollow log, river rock balance lines, basket/multi user swings, and even “listening pods” for quieter play.
Why Our Kids Love It
There are so many reasons why our kids love the Sundance Playground. First of all, the design leans into risk play and imagination, using natural materials that match the national park setting so it feels like a mountain playground, not a plastic one.
Secondly, the playground is full of kids from all-over, so it’s super easy to make new friends and have fun playing together.
Finally, one of the main reasons we keep returning to the Sundance Playground is because it’s an active kids paradise! In addition to having the best playground in Banff, Sundance Park is also home to two of the best things to do in Banff with kids: The Banff Pump Track and the Banff Skatepark.
Parent Tips
Make room in your Banff itinerary for this one as a visit can easily be an hour or two. The nearest coffee shop is Mountain Folk Coffee Co. – an 8 minute walk from the playground. Grab yours before you leave downtown.
There are washroom facilities near the Sundance Playground.
Sundance Playground Location
The Adventure & Nature Playground is located in Sundance Park, reachable via Sundance Road or by walking / biking over the Nancy Pauw Bridge from downtown if you’re exploring Banff without a car. Limited free parking is available at Sundance Park.
Directions to the Adventure & Nature Playground
2) Central Park Playground
The Central Park playground is the closest playground to downtown Banff. This is a great option if you want a riverside walk and a play break without leaving the downtown area.
The playground in the riverside Central Park here is natural style (wood, boulders, stumps, a faux rock “mountain”), and it sits beside picnic tables and a paved Bow River pathway.
Playground Stats
- Ages: The Town of Banff lists 5 – 12 for Central Park’s play equipment.
- Highlights: Natural play elements (logs/stumps), slides, climbing features, riverside setting; steps from the Louis Trono Gazebo lawn.
Why Our Kids Love It
Our kids love the Central Park Playground due to it’s natural play elements. The natural playground features invite climbing and imaginative games instead of just laps on plastic slides. They also love it as it’s the closest playground to downtown Banff, so they know we may say “yes” when we are enjoying a visit to the Town of Banff.
To be honest, our kids kids usually have an alterior motive when they want to visit the Central Park Playground… it’s super close to Hankki, their favorite restaurant in Banff. You can learn more about the amazing Korean corn dogs and honey-butter fries our kids love at Hankki in our guide to International Restaurants in Banff.
Parent Tips
As a riverfront park in downtown Banff, Central Park can get very busy. If you’d like to avoid the crowds, visit in the morning or later afternoon.
There are lots of family-friendly facilities in Central Park which many families visiting Banff will appreciate. For example, there are large public washrooms, a bike repair station and water bottle fillers.
The nearest coffee shop is also Mountain Folk Coffee Co. – this time just a 4 minute walk from the playground.
Central Park Playground Location
The Central Park Playground is located in Central Park, on the banks of the beautiful Bow River at the very southern end of downtown Banff. There is a large paid parking lot at the entrance to the park, but if you are staying at a hotel in downtown Banff, it’s an easy walk.
Directions to the Central Park Playground
3) Banff Elementary School Playground
When school’s out, this is one of the largest and most varied play areas in Banff. There are two playground areas (on either side of the school) with lots of climbing, slides, and balance features, so siblings can find a zone that fits.
Important: This is a real school, and not a park just for tourists, so please enjoy the other Banff playgrounds on this list during school hours, which are usually from 8 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday, September – June)
Playground Stats
- Ages: The Town of Banff lists 5 – 12 for the elementary school playground.
- Highlights: Multiple slides, lots of climbing elements, swings, balance “mushrooms,” and roomy spaces for tag or obstacle games.
Why Our Kids Love It
The Banff Elementary School Playground is huge. With two play areas, they love switching between the two when they start to get bored.
Parent Tips
This Banff playground is located near the main free parking lot for the Town of Banff. If you park here, your kids will immediately see the playground as you walk towards downtown Banff – so be prepared!
Assuming you can promise a visit outside of school hours, the Banff school playground is a great reward to offer kids for a day of good behavior around the Town of Banff. That way, you can enjoy your day exploring Banff, then you can stop at the playground on your way back to the car.
The closest coffee shop is the Whitebark Cafe – just a 4 minute walk from the playground.
There are no public washrooms here. The closest ones are here.
Banff Elementary School Playground Location
The Banff Elementary School Playground is located in a residential area of Banff, just one block from the main free parking lot at the Train Station.
Directions to the Banff Elementary School Playground
4) Banff Rotary Park Playground
Freshly redesigned and re-opened in June 2025, Rotary Park is a lovely neighbourhood green space just a short walk from Banff Avenue. It now includes a new playground, a day shelter, public washroom, a community PlayBox, shaded picnic space, and a multi use sports court that converts to outdoor skating in winter super fun if you’re visiting Banff in colder months.
We haven’t been to the newly updated Rotary Park Playground yet, so I’ll post more information and pictures as soon as we visit.
Playground Stats
- Ages: The Town of Banff lists Rotary Park’s equipment for ages 2 – 5, so it’s best for toddlers and preschoolers (older siblings can still enjoy the green space and nearby court).
- Highlights: Brand new play equipment, shady spots, and that convertible court for pickleball/basketball in summer and skating in winter.
Banff Rotary Park Playground Location
The Banff Rotary Park Playground is located in a hotel zone on the eastern edge of Banff Avenue – about a 13 minute walk from downtown Banff.
Directions to the Banff Rotary Park Playground
How to Choose
- Toddlers/Preschoolers (2–5): Start at Rotary Park (equipment is sized for littles), then hop to Central Park for a riverside toddle and snack.
- Mixed ages: Sundance Playground has enough variety to keep big kids challenged and the littles ones engaged; follow with a calm walk across the Nancy Pauw Bridge.
- Older kids: Banff Elementary (outside school hours) for climbing and sprawling spaces; Central Park as a quick downtown add on.
- Crowd averse kiddos: Mornings are best at Central Park; Sundance has room to spread out even when busy.
- Winter visits: Check if Rotary Park’s multi use court is set up for skating; Central Park may host SnowDays activities on select festival days.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITY BOOK
As locals and fellow family travelers, we understand the importance of keeping kids entertained in the car. That’s why we created this Banff Activity Book for Kids! Filled with Banff themed activities helping your kids learn about the area!
