Turtle Playground

Turtle Playground is one of St. Louis's most beloved and distinctly weird free attractions — a public art park near Tower Grove that features enormous concrete turtles of various sizes that kids are not just allowed but actively encouraged to climb. This isn't a typical playground with slides and swings; it's a collection of giant reptile sculptures that serve as the best climbing structure you'll ever find for free.

The turtles range from toddler-height babies to full-on massive shells that require real effort to summit. Kids naturally gravitate toward climbing up the shells, sliding down the curved backs, crawling through the open mouths of the larger turtles, and generally treating the whole space as their own prehistoric kingdom. There's no instruction needed — just let them loose and watch the imaginative play unfold.

For parents of young kids, the best part is the complete lack of pressure. There's no admission fee, no scheduled activities, no need to keep up with a program. Just show up with snacks and sunscreen and let your kids exhaust themselves in the fresh air. The open grassy areas around the turtles give toddlers room to run, and strollers roll easily through the paved sections.

A few practical notes: the concrete gets genuinely hot on sunny summer afternoons, so morning visits are best in July and August. There are no bathroom facilities at the playground itself, so plan accordingly for little ones. The park is not fully fenced, so keep a close eye on younger kids near the street edges.

Turtle Playground sits along River Des Peres Boulevard in the South St. Louis neighborhood, making it an easy add-on to Tower Grove Park, Francis Park, or a trip to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard just 10 minutes down the road. It's the kind of only-in-St-Louis experience that makes for great photos and becomes a childhood staple.