CT Hidden Gem: Hannah's Dream

Finding playgrounds for toddlers - heck, for kids in general - can be a full time job sometimes! We are always on the lookout for a great playground and park. Connecticut has tons of them but it's so hard to find them if you aren't familiar with the area. 

In New Haven, we literally stumbled upon Hannah's Dream and it was such a fun find!

We had all intentions of hitting up Lighthouse Point Park one late afternoon before grabbing dinner and we were baffled by the charges to get in. So, we had to go on the hunt for another playground. Hannah's Dream is literally around the bend from Lighthouse Point Park. 

Now, it is on a relatively busy road and it is not fenced in. HOWEVER, the playground itself is pretty far back from the road so that helps a lot. 

It is a HUGE park with a good sized playground. It is totally in the sun so be sure to bring sunscreen or a hat for your little ones. 

Tons of climbing contraptions, lots of slides, tunnels galore, and lots of smaller playscapes making up the big playground. 

There's also a big sandpit for kids to play in. It's not build-a-sand-castle kind of sand, more like dirt, but the kids didn't care. There are no sand toys anywhere so if you want to utilize this part, be sure to bring a bucket and shovel! 

Overall, this park was a pleasant surprise find for us and we'll totally be visiting it again in the future. 

Have you ever been to Hannah's Dream in New Haven?

CT Hidden Gem: John Grover Wyman Park

We are on the quest to visit 50 parks/playgrounds in our state before my son turns 5. Johnathan Grover Wyman Park in North Haven is one of my son's personal favorites and here's a few reasons why...

The park is completely fenced in. Only one way in and the same way out.

FYI, there's no restrooms, just one portopotty BUT it is super close to a Starbucks and CVS just in case.

The park is completely built in the woods so it is completely shaded 100% of the time, all day long. THAT is a HUGE win in my book!

There's no cement anywhere. Also no surfaces that cut hot in the sun. The entire park is mulched so while your child will likely be covered in mulch when they leave, they won't leave broken...

There's a ton of little pathways and cut-throughs all over the park. We've been half a dozen times this year and every time we go, my son finds a new path and favorite part.

There are so many bridges and places to climb and swing. It's great for all ages too!

It's so nice being able to let your kids run free and know you can see the entrance/exit from almost every area in the playground.

There's multiple swing areas with different sizes and types of swings.

Plus, a great piece for parents, there's benches built into the playarea around every corner!

They also have a specially designed tot area for kids 5 and under. My son is 3 and loves it all but this is a nice area to have if yours is more reserved. 

The favorite spot where I usually find my child. The giant sandbox. And there's always toys and trucks left by families and donated from local organizations so no need to bring anything with you- other than wipes to clean up when they're done!

If you wanna check this park out, it's right behind the Starbucks plaza on Washington Avenue in North Haven. Just get off exit 12 on I-91 and you're there!

Devon's Place Park, Norwalk

We had some time to kill before dinner one night in Norwalk and after spending 37 seconds on google, we found this playground! Little did we know it is in the same parking lot as Stepping Stones Museum, so take warning of that for parking purposes!!

There's two different playscape areas, one for 2-5 year olds and one for 5-12 year olds. I will say the one for the "big kids" was very popular amongst little kids too!

There's a roll-down slide (I don't know if that's what you call it, but it's what we call it) and my son is obsessed with it.

The twisty blue slide had a line for it almost the entire time we were there!

Lots of different areas to climb and slide.

They also have a splash pad, but it's on the smaller end of splash pads we've visited.

All different swings for all different sizes of kiddos!

These cute little playhouses were along the side of the playground!

Devon's Place was a fun discovery. We went on a Saturday and it was CROWDED. Plus, there was a party of some sort happening AND it's next to Stepping Stones. So, my advice is to go on a weekday ;-)

Have you been to Devon's Place yet?!

Jonathan's Dream Park, West Hartford

This park TOTALLY lives up to it's name. It SURELY is a dream!

Jonathan's Dream is an incredible playground built on the grounds of the JCC in West Hartford. It is pretty much completely handicap-accessible and it spacious and roomy so even when it's crowded, it doesn't feel crowded.

The details that are in and around this park are amazing. These faux rocks look totally real but have a little soft cushion built in to compensate for littles falling.

Upon entering, you can just tell it's a dream!

There's lots of shaded areas for hot days and places to sit and have a snack too.

The basketball area is great for kids of all sizes and development. The different heights of the hoops make for fun for all ages!

The climbing apparatus screams CLIMB ON ME!

Lots of open areas for running around and chasing new friends.

The airplane area is our favorite. Just wait and see why....

The flying swing! It's like a zipline for kids! Just push them up to the high end and let go! They zip back and forth for a good 45 seconds and they LOVE it!

My toddler LOVES going to this playground. Any time we are up in West Hartford we MUST stop there!

Have you brought your kids to Jonathan's Dream yet?! What are you waiting for???