Brighton's Best Kids Playgrounds
Our favourite outdoor parks and indoor play centres for families visiting Brighton & Hove
Brighton is a brilliant city for families, and one of the questions our guests ask most is where to take the kids. Whether the sun is shining or the rain has rolled in off the Channel, you will find plenty of places to let them run, climb, bounce and explore. We have picked our favourite outdoor playgrounds and indoor play centres across Brighton and Hove, from sprawling green parks with adventure equipment to soft play centres and climbing walls that save the day when the weather turns.
Hove Park
If we could only recommend one playground in the city, Hove Park would be a strong contender. Spread across 40 acres, it has a climbing rock, a finger maze, a storytelling chair, and a miniature steam railway that runs on selected weekends. The adventure playground keeps older kids busy while the smaller play area is perfect for toddlers. There is also a cafe on site, so you can grab a coffee while the little ones burn off their energy. With 4.6 stars from nearly 3,000 Google reviews, it is one of the most loved parks in Brighton and Hove.
Preston Park
Brighton's largest urban park is great family day out. The playground has swings, slides, and climbing frames for a range of ages, and there is masses of open space for running around, kicking a ball, or flying a kite. Tennis and basketball courts add to the options if you have older kids in tow. The park also has lovely tree-lined paths and a couple of cafes, so you can make a proper afternoon of it. It's a pleasant walk or just a short bus ride from the city centre.
Palace Play
When the rain rolls in, Palace Play on Brighton Palace Pier is your best bet. This four-storey indoor soft play area has massive slides, climbing structures, and tunnels that will keep kids entertained for hours. There is a dedicated toddler zone for children under 0.9m where parents can join in, and the bigger frames are suitable for kids up to 1.5m. Trained staff supervise the whole setup, and there are no time limits on sessions. Socks are required, and a cafe right next door means you can caffeinate while the kids go wild.
St Ann's Well Gardens
Known locally as Squirrel Park for obvious reasons, St Ann's Well Gardens is a proper treat for younger children who love the outdoors. The playground sits amongst exotic trees and a fish pond, and there is a sensory garden that gives little ones plenty to touch, smell, and explore. The Garden Cafe is right on site for drinks and snacks.
Queens Park
If you are staying in Kemptown, Queens Park is your nearest green escape with a proper playground. The play area is well suited to younger children, with gentler equipment and plenty of soft ground. Beyond the swings, there is a lovely central pond, a wildlife garden, and wide open lawns for running around. The Victorian clock tower makes for a pretty backdrop, and the whole park has a peaceful, unhurried feel.
High Sports Brighton
For something more active than soft play, High Sports at Withdean Sports Complex is brilliant for kids aged 4 and up. The bouldering walls have colour-coded routes for different abilities, and there are auto-belays so children can climb safely without needing a partner to hold the rope. Instructors run regular kids' sessions and the staff are genuinely great with younger climbers. There is a cafe and viewing gallery upstairs, so you can watch the action with a flat white.
The Level
Right in the centre of town near North Laine, The Level is one of the most accessible playgrounds in Brighton. The sensory play garden is thoughtfully designed with water features, sand, and textured surfaces that work beautifully for younger children. Older kids will love the skatepark, and there are table tennis tables, petanque, and boccia too. It is flat, open, and easy to keep an eye on everyone. If you are combining a shopping trip to North Laine with some playground time, The Level is the obvious choice.
Peter Pan's Playground
You cannot beat the location. Peter Pan's Playground sits right on the seafront along Madeira Drive, with the sea breeze and sound of waves as your backdrop. The equipment is aimed at younger children, with swings, slides, and imaginative play features inspired by the Peter Pan theme. It is free, open, and right next to the beach, so you can easily combine it with a paddle and an ice cream. If you are walking the seafront with little ones and need somewhere for them to let off steam, this is the spot.
Ball Park Brighton
Brighton’s Ball Park is here to revolutionize how players of all ages, from toddlers to teens and beyond, experience football. Ball Park is Sussex’s first state-of-the-art football tech arena, offering a dynamic and safe indoor environment to play, train, and relax. It's the perfect place for your budding football star to develop their skills or for friends to enjoy an intense, high-tech kickabout. With a perfect 5.0-star rating from 131 Google reviews, it is clearly doing something right. If you are spending a day at the Marina, this is the place to bring the kids.
Blakers Park
Blakers Park up in the Fiveways area has had a makeover in recent years, and the playground now has modern equipment that is well worth seeking out. There are tennis courts and green spaces alongside the play area, and a cosy cafe where you can sit with a coffee while watching the kids play. It has a real community feel, quieter than the big-name parks, which makes it ideal if you prefer somewhere less crowded.
Funplex
One of the biggest dedicated indoor play centres in the Brighton and Hove area, Funplex has been a go-to for local families for years. The play structures are designed to get kids climbing, sliding, and crawling through tunnels, and they host regular parties and events. It is particularly good for burning off energy on days when the beach is not an option. Comfy seating for parents means you can sit back while the kids tire themselves out. With nearly 500 Google reviews, it is well established as a rainy-day staple.
Dyke Road Park
Dyke Road Park is one of those under-the-radar playgrounds that locals love. The play equipment is well maintained and suitable for a range of ages, with plenty of open grass for picnics and kickabouts. Its central location makes it easy to reach on foot from most Brighton neighbourhoods, and it never feels overcrowded. If you want a straightforward, no-fuss playground visit without trekking across town, this is a reliable pick.
Jumpzone
Located right under Brighton Pier, Jumpzone set the standard for the bungy trampoline concept over seventeen years ago. Their seasonal unit on the Brighton seafront is a must-visit, offering a thrill that is safe, professional, and unforgettable. When you visit Jumpzone, you can expect an adrenaline-pumping experience with their two main attractions: the classic Bungy Trampoline and the Big Air Reverse Bungy ride. A great option if you want something high-energy for the kids to enjoy.
Hove Lagoon
Right on the seafront at the western end of the promenade, Hove Lagoon has a playground with slides, swings, and climbing equipment alongside views out to sea. What makes it special is the location: you can combine a play session with the lagoon's water sports facilities, including paddleboarding and wakeboarding for older kids and teens. The beach is right there for a paddle afterwards, and there are cafes nearby. It is a lovely spot on a sunny day where you can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon without running out of things to do.
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