Finding Brisbane playgrounds for older kids is something that will become more important as your family grows. Families tend to frequent parks and playgrounds when the kids are younger, but what do you do as they get older and inevitably, harder to please? Luckily there are many playgrounds around Brisbane that are suitable for older children. Perhaps they have the added drawcard of a skatepark, a basketball hoop, some parkour equipment or a speedy flying fox. Here we have listed some of our favourite Brisbane playgrounds which we think older children will love.

If you do have older children visiting playgrounds, please remind them to be safe and respectful of other children, especially the younger ones, who may also be enjoying the same playground.

Brisbane Playgrounds for Older Kids

Bradbury Park

Location: Batten Street, Kedron

Features: Multi-storey unique playground structure, challenging climbing opportunities, tube slide, scooter track, magic forest.

Bradbury Park at Kedron is designed with older children in mind with some of the most challenging climbing we have seen in Brisbane. Elevated beam crossings, metal ledges, rope climbing spots and net climbing all feature in this amazing playground structure. Younger children can participate in play at this play space but will require a higher level of parental supervision.

Read our detailed review of Bradbury Park

Archerfield Wetlands District Park

Location: 455 Bowhill Drive, Durack

Features: Large play structure, super slide, water play, basketball court, soccer goal, lawn area, bookable room, discovery trail, picnic facilities and accessible toilets.

Archerfield Wetlands District Park offers an exciting space for Brisbane Kids of all ages to explore. While the younger children will enjoy the waterplay area, the older children will be drawn to the 12m tall structure which contains a platform 8m above the ground and a massive 13m long super slide. A large oval, basketball and netball hoops, walking tracks and picnic areas round out this awesome park in Durack.

Read our detailed review of Archerfield Wetlands District Park

Pine Rivers Park

Location: Gympie Road, Strathpine

Features: Flying fox, pedal-powered monorail, climbing nets and frames, seesaw, slides, hedge maze, disc golf course, bike/walking paths, green space for ball sports, BBQ’s, picnic tables, accessible toilet facilities.

Pine Rivers Park is a sprawling park on Brisbane’s northside with tonnes of green space and lots of separate playing areas. The flying fox, climbing nets and pedal-powered monorail are favourites among the older children, though the little ones are well catered for too with a designated, fully fenced playground. Bring the frisbee and have a go at disc golf, kick a ball or fly a kite on the grass. There are plenty of shady trees, picnic tables and BBQs throughout the park, so spending a few hours here is easy to do.

Read our detailed review of Pine Rivers Park

The Green at Carseldine Village

Location: 532 Beams Road, Carseldine (enter via Dorville Road – Gate 3)

Features: Large tower with tunnel slide, table tennis table, sporting fields, tennis court (for hire), basketball half-court, handball court, cricket nets, toddler play equipment, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic tables, BBQ’s, accessible toilets.

If you have older children who are sporting fanatics, then The Green at Carseldine Village is the place to be. There are large sporting fields, cricket nets, a handball court, basketball half-court, outdoor fitness equipment, tennis courts and even a bright pink table tennis table. Once they have expended energy playing sport, they can have some fun slipping and sliding down the tunnel slides which stem from huge climbing tower in the centre of the playground. Plenty of seating and picnic tables surround the playground, as do BBQ’s and toilet facilities.

Read our detailed review of The Green at Carseldine Village

Redcliffe Parkour Park

Location: Corner Hornibrook Esplanade and Victoria Avenue, Woody Point.

Features: Parkour equipment (12 obstacles), small playground, bike paths, picnic shelters, seating, toilet.

If you are tired of the kids jumping on the furniture, then bring them to the Redcliffe Parkour Park and allow them to leap, jump, hop, scramble and clamber over the 12 different obstacles as they test their ninja skills. Perhaps you could even bring a timer and see who can complete the course the fastest! A small toddler playground is located next to the parkour park, as is a toilet and of course the stunning waters of Bramble Bay.

Bike paths run along the foreshore so bring the bikes, scooters or skateboards and soak up as much of the picturesque surroundings as you can (perhaps you can even stop for an ice-cream or fish and chips!)

Read our detailed review of Redcliffe Parkour Park.

Stone Ridge Central Park

Location: Stone Ridge Boulevard, Narangba

Features: Double flying fox, climbing frame, embankment slide, basketball half-court, dog park, picnic tables, BBQ’s, toilet.

Racing siblings or friends on the double flying fox will keep the older children occupied for ages, whilst the little ones can enjoy the other play equipment. Spinners, a slide, climbing nets and swings are also popular. A small track weaves throughout the leafy park, which could be used for bikes or scooters. A basketball half-court is located at one end of the park, close to the dog-park and toilets, so why not bring your four-legged friend along for some family fun.

Read our detailed review of Stone Ridge Central Park

Lower Moora Park

Location: Park Parade, Shorncilffe

Features: Fort, slides, swings, bike/walking paths, seaside setting, picnic tables, BBQ’s, accessible toilets.

This seaside playground features forts, slides, wooden carvings and the most spectacular view, perfect for hours of family fun. The fort, which is spread out across many levels, is ideal for an epic game of tag, hide and seek or climbing. Bike paths follow the waterfront along Bramble Bay, and the historic Shorncliffe Pier is nearby, so if fishing is your thing, be sure to pack the rods, and a change of clothes should the kids wish to paddle in the water.

Read our detailed review of Lower Moora Park

Calamvale District Park

Location: Formby Street, Calamvale 

Features: Dual flying fox, 8m high adventure tower, suspended tunnels, bridges, tunnel slide, basketball half-court, exercise equipment, enclosed dog park, bike/walking paths, seating, BBQ’s, accessible toilets.

With its leafy outlook, incredible playground and plentiful bike paths, Calamvale District Park is one of the best playgrounds in Brisbane.  Climb the 8m high netting structure into an adventure playground which has you moving from tower to tower across wobbly, sky bridges and descending via a massive, enclosed metal slide. For something a little lower to the ground, race each other on the 50m dual flying fox. Other highlights include spinning play pieces, group swings and the classic suspension bridge.

Read our detailed review of Calamvale District Park

Guyatt Park

Location: 19 Hiron Street, St Lucia

Features: Ninja-style obstacle course, two separate playgrounds, table tennis table, fitness equipment, bike/walking paths, CityCycle bike hire, picnic tables, BBQ’s, accessible toilet facilities

Although there are two playgrounds and river views at this park, the real drawcard for older children (and perhaps daring adults), is Brisbane’s first free outdoor ninja warrior course. Featuring 11 obstacles, including the Quinn steps, plank, pole forest and cliff hanger, this carefully planned sequence of obstacles will test any Brisbane Kid’s agility, coordination, problem-solving ability and strength. The main objective of the course is to complete the obstacles without touching the ground! A QR code can be scanned so you can time how long it takes you to complete the course and see how your fair against others.

Read our detailed review of Guyatt Park

Buxton Park

Location: Buxton Avenue, Yarrabilba

Features: Climbing tower, tunnel slides, turf caterpillar, in-ground trampolines, swings, interactive obstacle course, grassy areas, BBQ’s, picnic area, accessible toilet.

Featuring a state-of-the-art playground, interactive outdoor obstacle course, in-ground trampolines and a fun and bumpy turf caterpillar, children of all ages will enjoy this Yarrabilba park. A huge garden tower sits 8.7 m above ground and provides older children with a fun challenge as they climb their way to the top and descent via one of the two huge tunnel slides. Bouncing on one of the in-ground trampolines or running along the long and very bumpy turf caterpillar without falling over, will help get rid of that excess energy and no doubt result in lots of giggles.

Read our detailed review of Buxton Park

Tucker Family Park

Location: Corner Alesana Drive and Ardie Court, Brentwood Forest, Bellbird Park

Features: Climbing tower, tunnel slides, swings, roundabout, sports fields, multi-purpose sports court, fitness equipment, bike/walking paths, dog off-leash areas, picnic tables. NO TOILETS.

This sprawling park, comprising of four key sections over one hectare is designed to entertain the whole family. There is a playground, multi-purpose sports park, dog parks and a fitness park. The biggest drawcard is the 10m cube play tower which features climbing structures to get from one cube block to the next, windows to take in the expansive views and two slides, including an enormous, 18-metre tube slide. The park also features a partly-fenced grass pitch complete with goal post, and a fenced, multi-purpose court.

Read our detailed review of Tucker Family Park

Albert River Park

Location: Ramu Street, Eagleby

Features: Flying fox, skate park, swings, slides, basketball court, table tennis table, fitness equipment, picnic tables, BBQ’s, toilets.

Situated on the banks of the Albert River, this colourful park boasts state of the art play equipment, a flying fox, basketball court, large skate bowl and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic. The skate bowl is quite large and includes rails, ramps and banks, a 6-foot half pipe, fun box and grind boxes.  For fast fun of the no-wheeled variety, have a go on the 20m flying fox, or shoot some hoops on the basketball court. For the climbers, there is a multi-storey fort, complete with a range of challenging net climbs, sky bridges, two different tunnel super slides and sky cabins.

Read our detailed review of Albert River Park 

Frew Park Milton

Location: Milton Tennis Centre Milton

Features: Parkour features, climbing walls, balance beams, huge climbing nets, slides, tennis courts

Situated on the grounds of the Milton Tennis Centre, Frew Park at Milton is imposing and challenging even for the most astute and older playground goer. We love that this is a playground where kids can determine the level of the challenge and this is often determined by how high they choose to climb (and where). More than once we have found ourselves watching some older parkour talented kids testing their skills at this unique play space (holding our breath).

Read our detailed review of Frew Park

Flagstone Adventure Playground

Location: Trailblazer Drive, Jimboomba

Features: Massive multi-level towers with suspension bridges and multiple tunnel slides, flying fox, in-ground trampolines, swings, skate plaza, basketball half-court, sports field, adjacent waterpark, bike paths, picnic tables, accessible toilets.

There is so much to love and enjoy at this massive adventure playground it is hard to know where to start. Taking centre stage is a colourful 11m high tower with a suspension bridge and three massive tunnel slides (some slides are closed currently). Kids can either climb the near-vertical stairs, use a rope ladder or navigate their way up the large climbing net to the top. Also available are in-ground trampoline, merry-go-rounds and twin flying foxes. A mini skate plaza, waterpark and plenty of open, green, grassy open spaces make this an epic playground to visit for all family members.

Read our detailed review of Flagstone Adventure Playground

Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve

Location: Cedar Road, Redbank Plains

Features: Climbing tower with tunnel slides, swings, parkour style obstacle course, skate park, bike/walking paths, picnic tables, BBQ’s, accessible toilets.

Arriving at this playground you will immediately spot the large, 9m high adventure tower, with two tunnel slides. The kids will love climbing up via the ropes and then deciding whether to descend via the straight or spiral slide. Swing lovers will rejoice with the big basket swing, which flies in a 360-degree manor. Energetic kids will love the parkour style obstacle course, testing both agility and balance and if you brought your wheels, go for a spin on the skate park or along the bike path.

Read our detailed review of Redbank Plains Recreation Reserve

Of course, this isn’t all the playgrounds in Brisbane suitable for older kids. Do you have a favourite playground you think should have featured on this list? Tell us why and leave it in comments below!