One of the best things about raising kids in Barrie is how many great outdoor spaces we have within a few minutes of home. From huge playgrounds and splash pads to beaches, wooded trails and waterfront walks, there are plenty of places to burn off some energy without spending a dollar.

Whether you’re looking for a quick after-school stop, somewhere to spend an entire summer afternoon or a new playground to explore on the weekend, these are some of our favourite parks in Barrie for families.

Best for: Big adventures, picnics and nature

Sunnidale is one of those parks where you can easily spend a couple of hours without realizing it. At almost 49 acres, it has plenty of room to explore and is home to the Every Kids a Hero Inclusive Adventure Playground, designed so children with a wide range of abilities can play together. Features include ramped access to elevated play areas and specialized inclusive play equipment.

Once the kids have had enough of the playground, take a walk through the Wyman Jacques Arboretum. The 12-acre arboretum includes trees, shrubs, gardens and floral displays, making Sunnidale especially beautiful in the spring and fall. There's also a community orchard, parking and year-round public washrooms at the Dorian Parker Centre.

Mom Scoop tip: Bring a picnic. With the playground, open space and trails, this is one of Barrie's easiest parks to turn into a half-day outing.

Location: 265 Sunnidale Road

Best for: The ultimate all-in-one park day

If your kids can't agree on what they want to do, Lampman Lane is probably your answer.

The 17.8-acre park packs in an accessible playground, separate junior and senior play areas, a splash pad, climbing rock, sandbox, skate park, basketball court, tennis courts, open lawn space and an outdoor rink in winter. There are also washrooms, parking, shaded seating, a community garden and community orchard.

During the warmer months, the splash pad and washrooms are generally open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., although it's worth checking the City's splash-pad status before heading out.

For families with kids of different ages, Lampman Lane is particularly useful because there is something here for toddlers through older kids.

Mom Scoop tip: Pack swimsuits even if you're "just going to the playground." You already know how that's going to end.

Location: 59 Lampman Lane

Best for: A classic Barrie summer day

It would be hard to make a Barrie parks list without Centennial.

Its location right on Kempenfelt Bay means you can combine playground time with the beach, a waterfront walk or bike ride and a picnic overlooking the lake. The playground has also received accessibility upgrades as part of the City's work to create more inclusive play spaces.

Centennial connects directly into Barrie's Waterfront Heritage Trail, which stretches roughly six kilometres around the waterfront and is suitable for strollers, bikes and wheelchairs. Public washrooms are also available in the Centennial Park area.

There are City-operated community barbecues at Centennial during parts of the spring, summer and early fall, making it one of the better places in the city for an extended family outing.

Mom Scoop tip: On a sunny summer weekend, go earlier in the day. This is one of Barrie's most popular waterfront destinations.

Best for: Beach + playground without the downtown crowds

Tyndale is a bit of an underrated option for families.

The 15-acre waterfront park has a sandy beach, playground, gazebo, beach volleyball court, parking and plenty of green space. The southern portion of the park also includes a wooded area with walking trails.

That combination makes it easy to spend several hours here: playground first, beach second, picnic somewhere in between.

City-operated community barbecues are also available seasonally at Tyndale.

Mom Scoop tip: This is a strong alternative when you want a waterfront afternoon but don't necessarily want to head to Centennial.

Location: 45 Tyndale Road

Best for: Active kids

Painswick Park has quietly become one of the better recreation parks in Barrie's south end.

The 9.7-acre park includes a large accessible playground as well as a baseball diamond, full soccer field, tennis courts and four dedicated pickleball courts. There's also on-site parking and plenty of open space.

It works particularly well for families with older kids who may have moved beyond spending an entire outing on the playground. Bring a soccer ball, tennis racquets or other outdoor gear and you can easily turn the trip into a family activity.

Mom Scoop tip: Add this one to your playground rotation if you live in south Barrie. The large accessible play area alone makes it worth checking out.

Location: 231 Ashford Drive

Best for: A smaller waterfront outing

Not every park visit needs to become an expedition.

Minet's Point is a compact three-acre waterfront park with a beach, playground, parking and seasonal washrooms.

It's a particularly nice choice with younger kids because you can combine two of their favourite things — playground and beach — without covering a massive amount of ground.

And because you're right on Kempenfelt Bay, the views aren't bad for parents either.

Mom Scoop tip: Keep a towel and change of clothes in the car. A "quick playground visit" next to a beach has a way of becoming a swimming trip.

Location: 10 Lismer Boulevard

Best for: Kids who would rather explore than play on equipment

We're stretching the definition of "park" slightly with this one, but Ardagh Bluffs deserves a spot on any Barrie outdoor-family list.

The natural area covers more than 500 acres and contains over 17 kilometres of recreational trails through forests and environmentally protected land.

This isn't a stroller-friendly paved park. Trails have natural surfaces and some steep sections, so it's better for kids who are comfortable hiking independently. For older kids, though, it can feel much more like an adventure than a traditional neighbourhood walk.

Parking is available at the Peggy Hill Team Community Centre across from the Central Creek trailhead, which is also where you'll find the nearest public washrooms.

Mom Scoop tip: Give the kids a nature scavenger hunt and let them lead the way.

If we had to match the parks to different kinds of outings, Sunnidale is hard to beat for an all-around family park, while Lampman Lane has the biggest variety of activities. For a true Barrie summer afternoon, head to Centennial or Tyndale. Minet's Point works well for something smaller and easier, Painswick is ideal for active kids, and Ardagh Bluffs is the pick when your family wants to trade playground equipment for the forest.

Barrie has hundreds of hectares of public park space, so this list is far from exhaustive. There are plenty of smaller neighbourhood parks worth discovering too — and sometimes those end up becoming the kids' favourites.

Have a Barrie park that your family loves? Send it our way. We're always looking for local spots to add to the Mom Scoop list.