There’s something magical about watching your toddler’s face light up the moment the playground comes into view. My son, Everett, is a little over 2 years old, and I swear the kid could spot a slide from half a mile away. Over the past year, our local playground has become our happy place — equal parts adventure zone and therapy session (for both of us, honestly).
What I didn’t expect when I became a dad was just how fun it would be to play alongside him. Not just supervise from a bench with my phone in hand, but actually get in there and play. Some of our games are silly. Some are simple. All of them make him giggle until he can’t breathe, and that’s the only metric that matters.
Here are the five games Everett and I love most at our neighborhood playground.
1. The Monster Chase
How it works: I become a slow, lumbering monster — complete with exaggerated growling and stomping and my hands up looking like monster claws — and Everett runs away screaming with delight. When I “catch” him, it’s really just me scooping him up and giving him a belly blow, tickling, or some monster kisses. Then he runs again.
Why we love it: This one is pure toddler magic. Something about the combination of mild fear and absolute safety sends Everett into fits of uncontrollable laughter. It also burns a ton of energy, which — let’s be real — is a dad’s secret agenda with every playground trip. The open mulched area near the swings gives him plenty of room to run, and I get a decent workout pretending to be slow when I’m actually giving him just enough of a head start.
What I learned: Commit to the monster bit. The more dramatic and ridiculous I am, the more he tend to love it.
2. King of the Climbing Structure
How it works: We take turns being “king” of the play structure. Whoever is king stands at the top of the little platform and does a victory pose while the other one climbs up to challenge them. When someone makes it to the top, they become the king.
Why we love it: At two, Everett is just starting to conquer climbing structures confidently, so this game gives him a real sense of accomplishment with a fun narrative around it. He loves the “big moment” of reaching the top and throwing his arms in the air. I love that it turns his climbing practice into something with stakes and story. Every time he makes it up, he looks at me like he’s just summited Everest (aka “Mount Everett”).
What I learned: It’s taught him great turn-taking habits without ever framing it as a lesson.
3. Ready, Set, Go! Races
How it works: We race. Flat out, pure sprint, from one end of the open field beside the playground to the other. I count down — “Ready… set… GO!” — and we both take off. I usually let him win by a step or two, but occasionally I zoom past him just to keep things interesting.
Why we love it: Everett has become obsessed with “Ready, Set, Go!” The races themselves are short (he’s two — his legs are tiny), but the setup is everything. The anticipation in his face during the countdown is the best thing I’ve seen as a parent. He also loves the times I win, because then he demands a rematch with total determination. He often will self narrate “Go Dada – Go Everett” (he pronounces his name as Ed-et).
Why it’s great for him: Running full speed with intention is actually a big developmental win at this age. Coordination, speed, direction — all of it gets a workout.
4. Splash Puddle Stomp (Works best after rain!)
How it works: After a good rain, our playground has a few predictable puddles that collect near the sandbox. We pull on boots and go full stomp mode — competing to make the biggest splash, the funniest sound, or the highest water arc.
Why we love it: This one requires zero rules and zero equipment (beyond boots and the willingness to do a load of laundry). Everett becomes a completely different creature around puddles. He’s fearless, joyful, and 100% present. There’s no agenda. We’re just two people stomping water and laughing.
What I learned: Don’t tell Mama lol — It’s one of those games that reminds me to stop overthinking parenthood. Some of the best moments aren’t planned — they happen because it rained and you showed up anyway.
5. Slide Countdown
How it works: Every time Everett is at the top of the slide, I stand at the bottom and do an over-the-top countdown. “Five… four… three… two… ONE!” He launches himself down with maximum enthusiasm, and I catch him (or pretend to try and miss, tumbling dramatically onto the mulch). Then we do it again. And again. And about fourteen more times.
Why we love it: The slide alone is great, but the countdown makes it cinematic for him. He now holds himself at the top in suspense, grinning, waiting for “ONE!” before he lets go. He knows what’s coming, he anticipates it, and that anticipation is its own kind of joy.
Dad bonus: Standing at the bottom of the slide is significantly less exhausting than chasing him around as a monster. This one’s a nice pace-change in the middle of a long playground session.
The Real Secret
None of these games require any equipment or planning. They just require showing up and being genuinely present. At two years old, Everett doesn’t need me to be the most creative dad or the most athletic one. He just needs me to be there — to be the monster, to celebrate his king of the structure moments, to count him down.
The playground has become one of my favorite places not because of the equipment, but because it’s where we play together. I know he won’t be this size forever, so I really try to soak in every moment.
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