This is probably one of the nicest children's play parks in Carrickfergus, and strangely, a lot of…read morepeople don't know about it, as it is quite secluded! There are two entrances to Legg Park, one along the main Belfast Road, just up from the Model Primary School, and another entrance facing the Windrose. The park is fully fenced off and really well equipped with soft flooring, swings, slides and climbing frames. The park is also really nicely landscaped with lots of benches making it pleasant to sit around on a sunny day.

I think this playground is one of the best playgrounds in the area and it really brightens up this…read morestreet. The equipment is modern, bright and safe - not like the rusty metal excuses for swings and slides I had when I was a child. This park is safe as although it is one the main street it has a gate and high fence around it - a very busy park on a good day. We are reminded of Holywood's best kept town by the plaque on the wall outside and the children are watched over by the sculpture of 'Johny the Jig' who was designed and made by a local artist and now sits proud of punch near the parks entrance. When I see modern parks like this surrounded in blooming flowers and filled with colour and laughter I always wish I was a kid again.

One of my favourite spots for a walk. Seapark is great as it offers a lovely park in and of itself…read morewith play facilities for kids as well as parking (limited when it gets really busy) and can also be used as the starting point for long costal walks. it also offers one of the best seaside views of Belfast Loch and it is good to see the big ships coming and going from the Harbour. On warmer days there is often a decent ice-cream van there too.

Seapark is a hidden jewel in the North Down crown. The North Down coast is not lacking beauty spots…read morebut Seapark is right up there with the best. On a sunny the day the views over Belfast Lough are unbeatable. The park itself is a 5 minute walk from Holywood High Street and local amenities but you'd think it was a million miles away due to its tranquility. The park facilities include a huge grassy area ideal for summer BBQ's and walking dogs. There's also a refurbished play park, which is always a hit with kids. On a summers day an ice cream van will park up in Seapark and you'll be able to grab yourself a snack in between playing. Seapark is also the beginning of the National Trust North Down Coastal Path that snakes along the coast all the way to Groomsport. If you fancy a walk or cycle on a nice day then look no further than the coastal path. At every corner you'll be hit with stunning beauty and culture (Grey Point Lookout). This is a popular route for dog walkers and you'll often see friendly pooches off their leads, so if you have little ones with you keep them close especially if they are a little bit sheepish around dogs.

I live only a stones throw away from this beautiful park and so I've many great memories from my…read morechildhood of running around in the summer sun playing chasies on the grass, sledding down the snow covered hills during the chilly Winter months or kicking up the leaves on a beautiful Autumns evening. It's a brilliant place to take a walk to clear your head, I've done that only a few thousand times. It's great for somewhere to bring your dog (but clean up any mess, there's a number of special bins for this purpose) or come on a Sunday if you fancy a quick stroll along the sea front, though beware you'll be joining the masses. The path leads from Carrick to Whiteabbey to Hazelbank then you can follow the brilliant new cycle path all the way in to Belfast. Either follow the winding path or stroll along the sandy beaches where you'll often find some intriguing driftwood or some interesting shells. (I love doing this!) There's a new mural on the walls of the tunnels (at the exits leading to Gideons Green or to the Shore Road) that was done recently by a local artist called Michael Dunn and depicts various events and locations around the area, such as the Belfast marathon which follows this route. These tunnels used to be covered in some nasty graffiti from local kids thinking they're funny, so it's great now to see this space being used for some proper art work. Have a look at my pictures to see the mural.

We live close to this amazing park, so we have a chance to spend time here often. Hazelbank is…read moregreat for walking and playing with your dog, there is a children's play area for the kids, many picnic tables and big grass fields as well as outside gym equipment and huge car park. Usually there is an ice cream van as well to treat yourself :) Was in the park in the last few days, the number of pokemon go players are shocking, there are several pokestops so they are sitting in the car and keep collecting the balls & eggs etc. you will see all generations walking there like zombies looking at their phones trying to catch all the pokemons. If you are playing as well, visit the park, Im sure you wont go home without some rare creatures.

If you don't have children you may be baffled by my enthusiasm here, but if you do have children,…read moreyou'll understand. If your kids are anything like mine, there aren't that many places you can go for more than half an hour without the brattish distress call of 'I'm BORED'. I love them dearly really. But Stormont Park is one of those places and then some. It's a massive children's play park with the added advantage of being slap bang in the middle of Stormont grounds which you can also explore. This is a well equipped and well maintained park. The super efficient park wardens see to that. 'Jobsworth' is a very cruel term, they just take their responsibilities seriously. There is something to amuse and tire out every age of child from toddlers right up to teens. Slides, monkey bars, tyre swings, zip line, large and small climbing frames and more. There are also picnic tables and portable BBQ stands so that you can 'make a day of it' as they say in Norn Iron. There are toilets too, not always clean at the busy times in summer, but any port in a storm. Just take your tissues and hand sanitiser and you'll be good. Even if you have to travel a few miles, Stormont Park is well worth a visit.

Gosh, it seems like only yesterday this place was built, and I was a mad, boisterous little thing…read moredesperate to try out the coolest play park in town. How time flies, yet so much remains the same... This was the park of parks. I mean, you really couldn't get much better than Stormont play park. It always reminded me of the really cool park up in Portrush that cost a couple of pounds to get into, except Stormont is free (parents can breathe a sigh of relief at this point...), and superior. The setting is a beautiful one - the park is nestled in amongst the trees at the edge of the estate, yet at the same time it's safely separate from the forest...so no missing little ones! As the two previous reviewers commented, there are a huge variety of different activities to keep the kids entertained for hours, plus a number of benches dotted around the place for mum and dad to chill. My favourite aspect of Stormont play park is the ever popular zip-line, which had a never-ending queue and was always surrounded by those cheeky wee louts who kept stealing everyone else's turn. Once you got on, you didn't want to get off, but unfortunately that had to be the way of it. Climbing ropes, swings, slides, frames and the rest are all there. And they're all so well maintained, which is lovely to see. If I was ten years younger, I'd be back in an instant...

This is one of my favourite places to take the children and if you know how fussy I am with them ,…read moreyou would know that this is high praise indeed. Snakes and Ladders is huge, with an indoor football pitch, toddlers area, party rooms, motorised car racing track and 'the largest play frame in Northern Ireland'. I think this claim is in fact true - it's massive! My kids can disappear into it for ages and climb, jump, swing etc. As an over anxious mother I go and check on them from time to time as you can't see them if they go right to the middle or top of it. The cars are £1 extra but you can make two kids go on each one if you're feeling miserable, sorry thrifty. What really pleases me is the standard of the food served up in the cafe. Proper fresh chicken gougons, butchers style sausages and Heinz beans for the nippers and a deli style sandwich bar, panninis and baked potatoes for the adults. Not a frozen chicken nugget in site so all good. My only gripe is that at busy times there aren't enough seats for the adults and you may have to stand for a while until you can shame a child into letting you sit down or glare at an adult until they go away. I have it down perfectly. Entry is £4.95 eachwith a loyalty scheme where the eleventh visit is free.

The school summer holidays can seem very, very long, so I like to plan ahead for 2 days out a week…read moreduring July and August. I know, I am sad. One of the places that's on my list at least twice is Delamont. As it's a country park, you obviously need a dry day unless you enjoy sliding through mud and rain and then throwing away all the kids' clothes when you get home. Along with your sanity and sense of humour. And your promise to yourself not to drink wine during the week. So, Delomont, what's it got going on? Lots. I really do get that feel good factor from a day having fun in the fresh air and that's exactly what I get at Delamont. You pay £4.50 to get in an park the car and after that you don't have to spend any more money. There is a brilliant park which keeps my kids amused for literally hours - lots of climbing and rope swings and giant slides. There are a few picnic tables in this area too, but not enough so bring some picnic rugs and sit on the grass as there's loads of space to spread out. After lunch go for a walk on one of the trails through the beautiful scenery (high praise indeed from me as my usual preference for scenery is shop fronts or a TV screen). Even lazy teens will enjoy the trails as they are dotted with interesting sculptures and things to climb on. An added bonus is the schedule of events during the summer which are just every child's dream - bug hunts, night time paddling, Viking battles and boat trips to name a few. It really is an Enid Blyton kind of place. Check the website before you choose a date for your day out. There is a small shop so you can grab an ice cream or cold drink to revive you after your walk. The only other thing you may need to spend money on is the mini railway, but if your kids are older than 6 or 7, this is likely to be dismissed as 'for babies'. If you do go on it, you will feel like a complete plonker, but suck it up, the little kids love it!

Delamont is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and view the amazing scenery of…read moreStrangford lough and surrounds. I am a bit biased, as I used to live less than half a mile from Delamont and I loved it. I walked around Delamont up to 3 times per week I know every part of it and I miss it after moving to Belfast. It costs £4 entry to the car park, which is right in the heart of the country park. There are several walking routes you can follow and they are signposted from the car park and along the way. Most have view points from where you can see right accross Strangford Lough and it's islands right over to Portaferry with the Mourne Mountains to the right. There is a canoe trail from where you can paddle over to the islands and have a walk around. Along the walking trails you can come accross an old Rath, a bird watching hut and an outdoor education centre from where schools have their field trips. The tall stone was erected in 2000 and can be seen from many towns surrounding Strangford Lough. During September there is a re-enactment of the vikings landing 'Magnus Barelegs Festival'. The kids play park is fantastic, as it includes tower like slides, climbing frames, swings and a super zip line. There is a miniture railway with a coal fired train, this costs £2.50 and is really fun. It takes you around the track sounding its horn, taking you through the tunnel and past all of the outdoor gym equipment. Delamont was one of the first places to have these installed and they are a great addition to your walk. There is a small caravan park at the entry. Delamont really is a must for anyone wanting to see the real beauty of the rolling drumlins of Co Down.

If I were a little rug rat living in Donaghadee I would be really grateful to my local council and…read morecouncilors for building me such an AWESOME park. The little buggers are spoiled rotten with the features of the park as well as the setting. I remember when we were kids we used the local dump as our play park - how times have changed. The park is situated just above the beach - enough said already I feel! There are loads of new play equipment including swings that are so modern they look almost space age. All the items have a nautical theme and this means there is of course a pirate ship complete with flag and plank so you can make your mates walk it. There are various other things to climb on and things to ride and things to move and it is all placed on that extra safe sponge matting with lovely patterns of dolphins and anchors and life rings - these kids don't know hoe good they are getting it. You wanna see the scars I have on my knees from playing on supposed play areas that were teaming with glass and from falling off broken swings onto the hardest and sorest gravel God ever put on this earth! Anyhow, some one stop me having a moan - the park is great, it is walled in and safe from the traffic, there are park benches the entire circumference for mummy and daddy to watch from and the beach is literally a pebble chuck away. What child could ask for more?

A great park in the centre of Lisburn. It has quite a large play area for kids with loads of…read moredifferent pieces of equipment for them to climb and swing about on, including a zip line. There's also a small basketball court next to the play area. In addition to the play area, the park has some of the best indoor tennis courts which can be used throughout most of the year. These are situated within a large dome. There's also a cricket pitch; an outdoor gym; specific cycle lanes around the paths and a duck pond. Can get very busy on nice summer days or when an event is held in the park but still a lovely park to visit:)

I love this park...it's a bit away from me, but I love going here with the kiddies…read moreThe actual park has many aspects like cricket pitch, football pitch, tennis court, outdoor gym, walks & cycle tracks, toilets (so handy with kids!)duck pond and of course the kid park! But...the thing I love most about it is the fact that once you get parked and begin the walk from the entrance, it reminds me of Narnia! The old fashioned lamp-posts peeking out between ancient trees lining the edge of the path right along the length of the park always have me squealing inside in a very much fangirl way lol! I love it all year round, but especially in Autumn...when the leaves literally blanket the whole ground...it's almost magical...and there's nothing better than kicking up the leaves with the kids in our wellies with a nice hot choc from the coffee cart...absolute bliss!