Looking for something fun (and free) to do with the kids in Clare? A trip to the local playground is one of the easiest ways to get everyone outside for some fresh air and active play, whatever the budget.
Children’s playgrounds can be found in almost every town in Co. Clare, so you’re never too far from one. Most are enclosed, modern play parks equipped with swings, slides, climbing frames and more.
Why not take the kids to a different playground every now and again? Ours love the excitement of discovering somewhere new every few weeks — and with this many to choose from across the county, you could visit a different one every weekend for months.
The Best Playgrounds in Clare
Ballynacally Playground
Ballynacally Playground is a small but nicely designed play park set among the trees, fully enclosed with gates at the front. There’s a play structure with a slide, house, train, seesaw, two springers, a small roundabout and a spinner bowl — perfect for smaller children.
Corofin Playground
Built near the GAA pitch, Corofin Playground is enclosed with fencing. Equipment includes a small climbing structure with slide for little ones, three types of roundabouts, two baby swings, butterfly and chicken springers, a large climbing structure with slide, rope bridge, fireman’s pole, hopscotch, a springer seesaw and a zip line.
Cratloe Woods Spraoi sa Choill Playground
You’ll find Spraoi sa Choill playground in Cratloe Woods, perfectly integrated into the woodland and extending to over an acre. Built using timber from the wood, it has eco-friendly slides, climbing frames and swings. Kids will also love exploring the woods around the playground itself.
Ennis Playground at Tim Smythe Park
This park spans from behind Ennis courthouse up towards Fairgreen, with plenty to do for kids of all ages. There’s a towering play structure for bigger children with slides and plenty to climb, plus a smaller structure for little ones.
Other equipment includes swings, a parrot see-saw, a spring rocker and a roundabout. For older kids and teens, there’s an adventure playground with a cable runway, drop shot and trim trail. A track and pitch nearby are great for a run around too.
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Ennis – Lees Road Amenities Park
A great all-round facility with a playground for toddlers and play equipment for older kids. Look out for junior and senior swings, a ladder slide, and pony and elephant springers. The needs of children with disabilities have also been incorporated into the design.
Kildysart Playground
The toddler area at Kildysart Playground is fenced in separately from the older kids’ area and includes a wooden train, ramps and bridges, a slide, baby swings, springers and benches.
The play area for older children includes a large rope pyramid, springer seesaw, several types of roundabouts, a nest swing, swings, a chair swing, climbing bars and a large slide.
Kilkishen Playground
A very colourful playground with an assortment of roundabouts, slides, swings, a springer seesaw, a nest swing and more. This playground also has a unique climbing structure made of stacked ten-sided shapes.
Killaloe Playground
An excellent playground with various slides, springer seesaws, swings, roundabouts and everyone’s favourite — the zip wire! Located beside the Tennis Club in Killaloe, with free parking nearby.
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Lahinch Playground
A state-of-the-art playground with clearly defined junior and senior areas and various play surfaces. Best of all, it has a net-scape and cableway, which are a big attraction for older kids.
Lisdoonvarna Playground
One of the largest playgrounds around, with springer seesaws, a nest swing, roundabouts of various kinds, slides and climbing structures for all ages, a log playhouse, a large rope pyramid, balance beams, bars and more. Pitches and short walking paths are nearby too.
Lissycasey Playground
This playground has loads on offer for big and small kids alike. There are two play structures — a large one for older kids and a smaller one for little ones — plus springer see-saws, a nest swing, zip line, swings, a playhouse, a spinning wheel and much more. A hidden gem worth seeking out.
Mountshannon Playground
This playground caters well for both small and big kids. Little ones can enjoy their own slide, seesaw and rockers, while bigger kids have a spider climbing frame, spinning wheel and swings. There are also benches and tables for picnics.
The real beauty of this spot is its location beside Aistear Iniscealtra, with its labyrinth and outdoor “Wee Library.” You can also take a walk down to the harbour for stunning views across Lough Derg.
O’Briensbridge Playground
A colourful, fully enclosed playground with equipment for both smaller and bigger kids. There are also some lovely walks along the river nearby, so you can turn a visit here into a full day out.
Quin Playground
Quin Playground’s equipment includes a rope pyramid, carousel, springer seesaw, a climbing structure with slide, a nest swing, and regular and baby swings.
Scariff Playground
Set in a beautiful location with equipment suited to ages 0 to 12, Scariff Playground has ample parking. It sits a little outside the town, so it’s nice and quiet too — apart from the kids, of course!
Shannon Playground
A very colourful, fenced-in playground with plenty to keep all ages happy. There are various structures to climb, a large rope pyramid, a nest swing, springers, a slide, large and small swings, and lots of benches.
Sixmilebridge Playground
Located behind the Bridge Kids building and enclosed with fencing, this playground has plenty to do: a large climbing structure with ropes, two slides, a hammock swing, a spring car and motorcycle, a playhouse, springer seesaw, spinner bowl, small and baby swings, hopscotch, a standing carousel, larger swings, a rock-it platform and benches.
Tulla Playground
Tulla Playground is surrounded by high walls with a handy parking area that overlooks the play space. There’s a good variety for toddlers and older children, including two baby swings, two regular swings, a nest swing, seal and pig springers, a small climbing structure with hamster tube and slide, a springer seesaw, a roundabout, a standing roundabout, a large climbing structure with slide, rope bridge and fireman’s pole, and a zip line. Kids especially love talking to each other through the telephone tube.
Have Fun Out There
With 19 playgrounds to choose from across the county, there’s always somewhere new to explore in Clare. Pack a snack, grab the wellies if rain is on the cards, and let the kids pick where to go next.
Have any of your family’s favourite Clare playgrounds made our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are playgrounds in Clare free to use?
Yes — all of the playgrounds listed here are public, council-maintained play areas and free for families to use.
What age groups do these playgrounds suit?
It varies by location. Some, like Ballynacally, are designed mainly for toddlers and younger children, while others, such as Tim Smythe Park in Ennis or Tulla Playground, have separate equipment for both younger and older kids.
Are the playgrounds enclosed?
Many of the playgrounds on this list are fully or partially enclosed with fencing or gates, which is worth knowing if you have younger children who like to wander. Check the individual entry above for details.
Is parking available at these playgrounds?
Parking varies by site. A few, such as Killaloe and Scariff, have handy free parking nearby, but it’s a good idea to check ahead if you’re travelling with buggies or younger children.
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