For a while now I've been wanting to share this list with you. Now it's finally here. All playgrounds/places in a row and there are more than you might think at first. We love using a playground as a stopover or combination. Just visiting a shop here and there or doing some shopping and then letting the kids go wild at the playground. Below is an overview of all the playgrounds we know. Of course that doesn't mean that these are all the playgrounds on the island, but I do think we'll get quite far this way. And then we're talking about all the free playgrounds on Curacao. If you have any additions, please share them in the comments, so that all moms and dads have a nice and complete overview. The playgrounds are listed in random order:
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Playground Zest
This playground is known to most people. Especially on Friday afternoons it is very popular because of the happy hour at Zest. Between 18:00 - 19:00 they have all Spritz (and I think beer, soft drinks and wine) with 50% discount or for special prices. It is always a cozy crowd there. The playground itself is only 1 swing and a house with a slide. But because of the cozy beach tennis next to it, Zest and Zanzibar and of course the sea there is enough entertainment. -
Playground Brionplein
This playground is really fun. Quite extensive, a number of (large) climbing frames, a few seesaws and a nice music device. There are also fun things for the slightly older children (4+). But even the little ones can have a great time here. Nice to combine with a round of Riffort or Punda. -
Playground Koraal Specht
This is on the road to Mambo (from the Barracuda apartments to Mambo) on the left. We have never been here ourselves, so I can't tell you much about it, but I have seen it from the road. Also quite extensive and it is located in the middle of the district. -
Playground Marie Pompoen
Actually, they don't have a playground here (yet). They are currently busy building, so maybe there will be a playground. But it is nicely laid out and lovely to walk around on the beautifully laid out paths. This is also perfect with a pram. We thought it was ideal to cycle around there with the children (balance bike or just cycling) but the security guard thought differently. He told us that this was not allowed and that only a short distance along the sea, along the basketball court/football field is allowed. The reason for this is because otherwise the youth with their cross bikes etc. would constantly race over it and they don't want that. So they have drawn 1 line, no cycling in 'the park'. -
Park Sorsaka / Den Dunki
Not far from the main entrance there is a play area with a few picnic tables with a few devices in the middle of the forest. Can also be fun to have a children's party. Children can play nicely and you have the space to put something and a big advantage, it is sheltered / in the shade. -
Playground Heeren at Sea / Scuba Lodge
At Heeren At Sea they have a playground at the restaurant. Next to the playground there are a few picnic tables where you as a parent can also sit, so you can keep a good overview but still enjoy your drink or snack in a relaxed way. It may not seem very big, but it still provides enough entertainment for the children. -
Parke Roi Rincon (Hato)
Entrance is opposite the Free Zone at Hato. This is free to enter and open from 07:00 - 19:00. You can drive a bit further with your car and you will see it yourself. Picnic tables, seesaw, climbing frame and slide. -
Piscadera Playground
We came across this by chance during the Corona times. On the way back from the GGD we drove past this playground and then we stopped for the children to play. They had not been anywhere for such a long time, all that time that nothing was allowed, everything was closed etc. That is why this playground was so nice. They could not contain their fun. There is a fence around the playground and actually a pretty neat playground. Spacious and what you can expect from a playground, swing, seesaw, slide and climbing. -
Pos Salu (Sint Jorisbaai)
Open area at Sint Jorisbaai, as you drive from Ostrich Farm towards the inland water. Covered picnic area, seesaw, climbing frame with swings and enough space to cycle or play football. -
Playground Eden Mall
In this case we don't mean Eden's Fun Park, but we mean in the 'mall' itself between the shops. There is a small midget golf course there and at the end a seesaw and a few small seesaws. Nice to combine with a round of Eden Mall and an ice cream at Baskin Robbins or a milkshake at Denny's. -
Playground Soto
There is a small playground at Soto, but it is actually almost not worth mentioning. There is a seesaw and a spinning device. I actually did not want to mention these, but to make the list as complete as possible. -
Playground La Hacienda Olivia Plantation
Actually a very nice one, because you have 3-in-1 here. 1. The playground. 2. A kind of petting zoo 3. Restaurant. Your children can have a great time here. Watching animals (chickens, horses, goats, sheep) and a look behind the scenes. There is often someone busy with 'something', such as feeding the animals, cleaning, building something etc. And you can have lunch or dinner there or just stop by for a drink. I understand that the children can also go horse riding there. -
Playground Delifrance / Bloempot
Definitely one of our favorites of the kids, but that has mainly to do with Jamin I think. This playground is located at Bloempot, which is next to Suikertuintje. At Bloempot you have a number of shops and the Delifrance. So in the morning and early afternoon you can combine it with a breakfast or lunch or just a cup of coffee at the Delifrance and the kids play next to it. We often come there later in the afternoon and then the Delifrance is already closed. We often make it an extra fun outing because they can choose 1 candy at Jamin and play at the playground. Double the fun! -
Kokomo Beach
At Kokomo there is a playground in the shape of a ship. Looks very nice. Of course it is cool to play on such a pirate ship. But also maybe you get tired of it quickly, because you can climb on it and climb/jump off it and actually not much more. -
IL Forno Restaurant
At Il Forno on the Caracasbaaiweg there is a playground near the pizzeria. Can be a nice (easy) stop at the end of the afternoon. Don't feel like cooking? Then eat a pizza or pasta here. Children play, have a bite to eat and then go home together. Playground has two swings and a slide with a house. -
Playground Riffort
I think this one is even less known to most, but nowadays they have a playground at the back of the Renaissance (at the Riffort) with a large lawn around it. The restaurant "5 o'clock somewhere" is next to the playground. The playground itself is not big. Has two swings and a slide. But the advantage here is that there is a nice large lawn around it. So if you have the chance to bring a ball, then that is definitely recommended. As soon as someone brings a ball, the children automatically start playing football. -
Playground Goisco / Tutupark
There is a playground next to the Goisco. To be honest, I have not been there myself, because I always hear around me how dangerous this playground is. Unfortunately completely neglected, several children injured and also many "vermin" such as wasps etc. So not from my own hand, but by many others this place is not recommended. Hopefully they will fix it up again someday. -
Playground Porto Marie
You might easily overlook this one. Because this playground is right at the end of the beach. Anyone who has been to Porto Marie before knows that the beach starts with the restaurant, diving school and shop and the toilets. Then you walk to the right onto the beach. The further back you walk, the less easy it is to walk into the sea. But the playground is right at the end. The sun is burning down there. So the play items do get hot in the sun. That's why we enjoy the beach there more than the playground. -
Playground Brakkeput Mei Mei
A wonderful place to go with the kids. The only disadvantage is that it only opens at 5:00 PM. So that really means playing in the playground for a last hour (or a bit longer with older children). It is a nice and beautiful playground with multiple devices, climbing items, swings. And next to it is a nice midget golf course for the slightly older children (this is for a fee). The playground belongs to the restaurant Brakkeput Mei Mei and therefore you can also choose to stay for dinner. Or maybe just a drink and take it with you to the playground. A big advantage here is that the children can't just walk away. It is clear and they really have to walk up several stairs to get to the restaurant. -
Gnome forest
A nice change is the gnome forest. You can enter the gnome forest from two sides. From Vigdis Jonkheer Mensing College (parking lot) or from the street side opposite Dragon Villa you have an entrance. From the last entrance you come straight to the playground. This playground is located in the forest and was also built on it. So a bit more robust, but definitely worth it. There are also picnic tables. So bring some food and drinks and let your children play. You can also choose to start from the other side (Vigdis) and first walk a bit and then take a drink/play break at the playground and then walk back to the car. -
Eetcafe de Buurvrouw
At Eetcafe de Buurvrouw on the way to Westpunt they also have a playground at the restaurant. Not very big, but a place for the children to play. With small children we found it exciting to sit in the restaurant ourselves and leave the children at the playground. Because the (very busy) road runs right behind it. Now of course there is a fence between them, but they can go left from the playground onto the road or right to the restaurant. You can't see the playground very well in the restaurant. So that is a bit less convenient. But of course it is nice that it is there.
As I said at the beginning, these are all free playgrounds. Of course there are many more playgrounds for children, such as Sambil, Children's Museum, Eden's Fun Park (Eden Mall), day pass at Kunuku or the playground at Mangrove Beach Corendon etc. But these are all places where you have to pay or stay.
We also heard that there will be a new playground next to the Dames at the Promenade. We are curious!
Hopefully this list will give you a few more new play options for you and your kids. Have fun and let us know if we missed any.
