Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Philadelphia, PA

While we all enjoy our neighborhood playground (if you are lucky enough to have one), sometimes it can be nice to meet friends at other spots around the city and give your kids a new place to discover. Below are my favorite playgrounds in Philly.

1. Clark Park. Located at 45th & Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia, this playground has two separate areas (right next to each other) for kids of various ages. It also has a soft foam ground cover, rather than sand or woodchips (which I prefer, frankly--I especially hate picking woodchips out of my daughter's diaper). At Clark Park you'll see more diversity and hear more languages spoken than you will at any spot in town. Best of all is the warm and friendly reception you'll receive from other parents--the only spot in the city you'll always find that.

2. Franklin Square. Located in what used to be called 'Wino Park' at 6th and Race streets, this park has been remade into a parent's dream. With fountains, playground equipment, and miniature sculptures of Philadelphia landmarks, plus a refurbished merry-go-round your kid is guaranteed to have a great time at this site. Parking can be challenging--expect to pay for a lot, or take public transportation.

3. Smith Playground, 33rd and Oxford. This spot would be number one of the list for history, safety, and overall coolness (the playground features both the oldest wooden slide in the nation and the coolest modern equipment you've ever seen), but it's sadly only open from April to October. The adjacent Smith Playhouse is open year round, however.

4. Narberth Playground. Narberth one of the first towns on 'the Main Line,' a section of suburbs west of Philadelphia on what used to be a major railroad line. The Narberth playground is gorgeous, fenced in, and based in sand. You'll find large groups of kids there in the mornings, but don't assume all the women present are mothers--chances are, about 80% of them are actually nannies. A great spot for the kids, but not the best spot to meet other parents (although you'll find more parents in the late afternoon).

5. The Lower Makefield Community Park. Located in Morrisville, PA (north of Philadelphia suburbs, at 1050 Edgewood Road), this park is considered to be the "mother of all community recreation centers." The Kid's Kingdom playground in the heart of the park is amazing, plus there are two sandboxes for different age groups. This playground also offers bathrooms, which is a bonus.

6. Linvilla Orchards, Media. This playground is full of odd wooden structures that kids just LOVE to climb. You'll find it packed on the weekends, but a great spot during the week. Plus the Orchard is a great spot to do your produce shopping (their plum tomatoes are to DIE FOR), plus they offer other kid-friendly things like hayrides. Beware--everything has a fee (kids cost $1 even at the playground), and in fall when the apples drop the playground becomes a haven for wasps and bees if it's warm.

7. Wilson Farm Park in Wayne. (at the end of Lee Road in Chesterbrook). This new park (built in 2004) offers not one, not two, but three playgrounds--including, blessedly, an 'all abilities' playground and a tot lot. Plus, there are stroller-friendly paths nearby. This is also the site of the Tredyffrin Township Summer Concert Series (you'll have to forgive some of the odd place names--Philadelphia was widely settled by the Welsh).

8. Starr Garden. One of those urban havens, Starr Garden Playground is located at 6th & Lombard Streets in a shady glen. Completely fenced in, this tiny spot of green in the city is a great place to meet other parents, particularly the "hip" set. Whole Foods is just a few blocks away at 9th & South, so you can also grab a great picnic lunch before you go.

9. Fenimore Woods. Again in Wayne (located at Eagle and Paul Roads, and why does Wayne have such great parks?), this beautiful wooded park near a creek and a pond is a perfect spot for kids. They have a huge playground as well as public restrooms, but I've found my kid is nearly as entertained by the frogs along the edge of the pond as she is the playground itself.

10. Williams Park, Springfield, Delaware County. This cute playground has that rare gem--a sand box--plus lots of other standard playground equipment. While this might not be the best playground in the world, it is right next store to the Springfield Library, which offers the best local story hour that I have found (if you like a VERY structured story hour, that is). They offer story hours for nearly every age group each morning, and you can walk over to the playground after--or, if your kid is like mine, hit the playground BEFORE story hour. Plus, the library offers great toys to play with, so if the weather is foul you've got a nearby option.