Playgrounds in North Adelaide

The three North Adelaide playgrounds split cleanly on one question: do you need a fence. Glover (North) Playspace and Bush Magic Playground are both fully enclosed, and the Ultimate Guide to Adelaide's Best Playgrounds lists both among its top ten toddler playgrounds in Adelaide. Tidlangga Playspace is not fully fenced, and a Bundey's Paddock review advises keeping an eye on toddlers who are runners.

Glover is the one for a long stay. Reviewers keep mentioning the child-safe gate locks, free electric BBQs, on-site toilets and the sandpit excavators that under-6s gravitate to. There is an on-leash dog area alongside, a children's book exchange booth near the entrance, and free parking. Saturday afternoons are busiest; Tuesday is quiet.

Bush Magic suits the under-fives: toddler-specific design, good shade, slides, tunnels, swings and a small maze. THE 10 BEST Adelaide Playgrounds notes a wheelchair swing that only works when Aquatic Centre staff, who hold the keys, are around. Toilets are about 150m away at the Aquatic Centre, and picnic and BBQ facilities sit on the grass outside the fence. Reviewers suggest checking the maze for spiders and coming in the morning, since mosquitoes are active in the evenings.

Tidlangga is built from natural timber rather than plastic, and the Bundey's Paddock reviewer says it kept children aged one to nine busy with open-ended play, spring-mounted jingly bells and a large sandpit beside the rock garden, so pack sand toys. Older kids can move on to the tennis and basketball courts. Shade is partial, so bring hats, and Melbourne Street cafes are an easy walk. Reviewers note equipment has been temporarily unavailable at times, so check ahead.