I love a good day trip, and this summer we’ve been doing many! A few weekends ago we grabbed the kids and hopped in the car to visit Guelph – and here’s why…
Guelph is about 45 minutes – just under 60km – from Burlington, and our main inspiration for the trip was to check out Exhibition Park, Guelph’s natural playground. A natural playground is essentially a park made almost entirely of wood. Limited plastic and metal, with loads of opportunity for exploration.
Exhibition Park
Exhibition Park, one of Guelph’s natural playgrounds, was the first official natural playground we’ve visited. My kids were oohing and aahing from the backseat when we arrived, and can you blame them?! Look at this playground! It’s like a wooded wonderland for kids who love to climb and make-believe.
The Park is home to a few different play areas, each one more impressive than the last. There’s a huge section that can best be described as a “spider web of logs”. Immediately their shoes were off and the kids were scaling the logs and making their way from one end to the other. The heights range from about 2 feet at the lowest point to 7 or 8 feet at the highest. My girls are 8 and 10 in these photos, and it was a challenging apparatus for them, something they don’t get to experience much at conventional parks.
My 8-year-old has yet to meet monkey bars she didn’t love, so she was in her glory with all of the climbing bars at Exhibition Park. The various log climbers, ramps, and log walls put balance to the test and make kids focus on their footwork. At the same time, their imaginations are running wild with everything they see on this natural playground. Open-ended play is the name of the game here.
La Piece Du Resistance
There was one thing about Exhibition Park that made it stand out from every other park we’ve been to – The Water Pump. Yup, a real, working hand pump that PUMPED. REAL. WATER. Take that in for a minute. I scored a million mom points at that very moment. Shoes and socks were immediately removed and car washes/water deliveries/other fun stuff ensued. (Note, during the pandemic and winter, the water pump has not operated)
Playground Features
- log jam
- log sculptures
- play posts
- hanging bars
- stumps
- water feature
- (by Earthscape Play)
Exhibition Park Amenities
- walking & riding trails
- football field
- softball & hardball diamonds
- pickleball & tennis courts
- wading pool
- natural ice rink
- parking
- washrooms
Make a plan to visit Exhibition Park in Guelph soon. We’ve been in the summer and the winter, and both seasons are great. The short drive is definitely worth it! Plus, we have 10 additional things to do in Guelph to add more to your day trip. Or, check out this OTHER natural playground in Guelph and really blow your kids’ minds!
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Exhibition park looks amazing! Putting this on the list 🙂
I absolutely love Exhibition Park! It’s such a fantastic place for families to enjoy the outdoors together. The natural playground is perfect for kids to explore and be active, and I appreciate the beautiful walking paths for parents. It’s wonderful to see a community space that encourages outdoor play and connection with nature!
I love how you’ve highlighted the natural beauty and recreational opportunities at Exhibition Park! It’s truly an amazing spot for families to enjoy nature while staying active. Can’t wait to visit with my kids this weekend!
I had no idea Exhibition Park was such an amazing place for families! The playground sounds incredible, and I love that there are nature trails nearby. Can’t wait to explore it with my kids this weekend! Thanks for the great recommendations!
This is such a fantastic overview of Exhibition Park! I love how it promotes outdoor play for kids. The variety of activities and natural surroundings make it a perfect spot for families. Can’t wait to take my kids there and explore all the fun!
I love the idea of Exhibition Park as a natural playground! The variety of activities available for kids and families is fantastic. It’s great to see such a beautiful space being used for outdoor fun and exploration. Can’t wait to check it out with my little ones!
What a fantastic overview of Exhibition Park! It truly is a gem in Guelph. I love the variety of activities available for families and the beautiful natural surroundings. Can’t wait to visit again this weekend!
What a fantastic insight into Exhibition Park! It’s amazing to see such a beautiful natural space for families to enjoy. I love that it offers so many activities for kids to explore and be active. Can’t wait to take my little ones there! Thanks for sharing!
Great post! I love how you’ve highlighted the natural beauty and variety of activities at Exhibition Park. It’s the perfect spot for families to enjoy the outdoors together! Can’t wait to visit with my kids!
What a fantastic overview of Exhibition Park! It’s truly a gem in Guelph, perfect for families to explore and enjoy nature. I love all the different activities available. Can’t wait to check it out with my kids!