Top park attractions for kids
If you’re looking for a 10 minute breather or places to entertain for hours, here’s our pick of attractions in our parks to with the family.
Take me to Bouldering ↘ Foxburrows Farm ↘ Outdoors gyms ↘ Parkour obstacle course ↘ Play area ↘ Skate park ↘
Bouldering
The UK's largest boulder park is open in Fairlop Waters Country Park. The Boulder Park consists of nine individual boulders which are constructed of sprayed and carved concrete. The boulders are built from concrete and vary in heights and shapes to cater for all standards from novice to expert. They are all designed for solo climbing and are a great place to practice bouldering and traversing skills.
Find out more about bouldering at Fairlop Waters Country Park
Foxburrows Farm
We have our very own farm at Hainault Forest Country Park which keeps a whole range of animals for you to come and visit for free, always a good treat for the kids whatever the weather! Open seven days a week until 5pm during the summer months and 3.30pm during the winter months.
Animals will change from time to time but you will usually meet animals such as sheep, goats, ponies, rabbits, meerkats, donkeys and lots more! As part of our good practice to have healthy happy animals we move the animals around the Farm Zoo from time to time to improve their experience and to help maintain the quality of the paddocks and enclosures. Please check the map at the Farm Zoo entrance when you arrive for the location of the animals on the day of your visit.
There is also a natural play area for young children situated within the grounds of the farm opposite the meerkat enclosure. This site is only open during farm opening hours.
Outdoors gyms
Can't afford the expense of a monthly gym subscription? There isn't a better way to exercise these days than an outdoor gym, breathing the fresh air into your lungs whilst toning those muscles at your local park and best of all it's free!
Parkour obstacle course
In 2017, Parkour (also known as Freerunning) has been officially recognised as a sport. It has gained support from the Youth Sport Trust and the Association for Physical Education, who described it as an exciting and motivating activity. The objective of the non-competitive sport is to find ways to navigate to your destination in the quickest way possible, utilising your surroundings to perform stunts and tricks.
The Parkour obstacle hub, which was originally developed in France, was first introduced to Goodmayes Park in 2011. Come and try the Parkour Combo Wall and Agility Unit for yourselves! It can be used for practising, allowing you to use jumping, balancing and agility to navigate, putting your body and reflexes to the test. There are signs located all around the area in Goodmayes Park explaining how to perform key moves and it features a number of units designed to make practising Parkour easy. The park is easily accessible and open to all, bringing in people with a range of skill sets from those who wish to learn to professionals and semi-professionals.
Play area
Children's play areas are available at the majority of our parks and open spaces within Redbridge. Our play areas offer a range of suitable play equipment such as slides, swings and climbing frames.
Skate park
Seven Kings Park and Forest Road Playing Fields in Hainault Recreation Ground are home to skateboarders and roller-bladers who love the challenge that the only two purpose built skate parks in the borough offer.
With hi-tech equipment such as a half-pipe, quarter pipes, fun box and grind rails, hip ramp, 1.2m ramp and platform, pyramid box and spine ramp, there is plenty of scope for performing spectacular stunts. Equipment varies in each park so be sure to visit them both!
