Kids Cove Playground — photo 1 of 1

Kids Cove Playground

Rating

4.8(1,076)

Family of 4

Free

Duration

1.5-3 hours

Best Ages

2-10 years

About

Kids Cove Playground is a large community-built wooden playground inside Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach, one of the most popular family parks in the city. The playground features an extensive network of wooden climbing structures, slides, bridges, tunnels, and platforms spread across a big footprint. It's the kind of sprawling, imaginative play space where kids can spend hours exploring different sections and finding new routes through the structures.

The playground was originally built through a community volunteer effort and has been maintained and updated over the years. The design has a castle-and-fort feel, with multiple levels of elevated walkways connected by ramps, stairs, and climbing walls. There are separate sections geared toward different age groups — a lower, safer area for toddlers and preschoolers, and taller, more challenging structures for older kids who want to climb higher and go faster on the slides.

Kids Cove sits within the larger Mount Trashmore Park complex, which includes walking trails, two man-made mountains (the park was built on a former landfill — hence the name), a skatepark, and open green space for picnics and kite flying. The playground itself has a rubberized ground surface in some areas and sand in others. Shade is provided by mature trees around the perimeter but is limited over the main play structures.

The park has free parking, public restrooms, and a concession area that operates seasonally. With a 4. 8 Google rating and over 1,000 reviews, Kids Cove is consistently ranked among the best playgrounds in the Hampton Roads region.

It draws families from across Virginia Beach and neighboring cities, especially on weekend mornings. The combination of free admission, a massive play area, and the surrounding park amenities makes this a go-to spot for local families and visitors alike.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

Available — public restrooms near the parking lot have changing tables. The park benches and shaded perimeter areas offer spots for nursing with a cover.

Kid Meals

Limited — a seasonal concession stand operates near the parking lot during busy periods. Bring your own food for the best experience using the picnic tables.

Setting

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings or weekend mornings before 10 AM for the best balance of good weather and manageable crowds

Why Kids Love It

The sheer size of the wooden playground means there's always something new to discover — secret tunnels, wobbly bridges, tall slides, and climbing challenges at every turn. Kids treat it like an adventure course and can play for hours without running out of things to explore. The castle-like design sparks imaginative play where they're knights, explorers, or pirates.

Pro Tips from Parents

  • Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to claim a shaded picnic table and avoid the biggest crowds.
  • Bring sand toys — part of the playground area has sand that younger kids love to dig in.
  • Walk up Mount Trashmore after the playground for a great view of the city and to burn off any remaining energy.
  • The restrooms and seasonal concession stand are a short walk from the playground near the main parking lot.

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen and hats (limited shade over main structures)
  • Water bottles
  • Sand toys for the sand play areas
  • Picnic lunch to eat at the nearby tables
  • A change of clothes if kids play in the sand

Cost Info

Tips to Save

  • Everything is free — the playground, parking, and park grounds.
  • Pack snacks and lunch to avoid the concession stand.
  • Bring your own water bottles since there are limited fountains.

Hours & Contact

Hours

Friday
7:30AM-8PM
Monday
7:30AM-8PM
Sunday
7:30AM-8PM
Tuesday
7:30AM-8PM
Saturday
7:30AM-8PM
Thursday
7:30AM-8PM
Wednesday
7:30AM-8PM

Contact

310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets & Booking

View on Google Maps

More Activities in Virginia Beach

Never Miss a Virginia Beach Family Activity

Join parents in Virginia Beach who get activity recommendations, seasonal event alerts, and insider tips.

No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.