Coffee in hand, moms circled up to talk, and little feet running wild. Who doesn’t love a good playdate? Even better: pack a lunch and return home just in time for a loooooong afternoon nap. Play dates are my jam. They are the number one reason I’ve kept my sanity as a stay-at-home mom. It’s always nice to check out a new playdate spot, and a high priority for me is choosing a FREE location for playdates.
Here’s a rundown of the five BEST {free} play date spots in Collin County:
Hope Park in Frisco
It doesn’t get much better than this Frisco park. There’s tons of room for little ones to slide, hop, and climb in the huge play ground area. It has walking trails, a pond, and a splash pad for summer. You can pack a lunch and find a spot at a covered picnic table or spread out on a blanket in one of the many grassy areas behind the playground. (It’s down the street from a Chick-fil-a.) My favorite feature is the toddler playground area; the slides and ramps aren’t too tall for tiny ones which allows me to sip my coffee while my toddler freely explores.
Ready to Read Railroad at Frisco Public Library
This train in the Frisco Public Library is adorable! It’s most appropriate for ages 0–5, and you must check in at the front desk. Be sure to get their early on rainy days, as this neat spot can be popular, and they start a wait list after it fills up. While drinks and food are not permitted inside, you could still pack a lunch and grab a spot outside the library to eat. My favorite feature is the baby garden. Mamas of children who aren’t yet walking, this spot would be perfect for you.
Celebration Park in Allen
This huge park is perfect for a sunny day. Bring a soccer ball or bouncy ball and let your littles run their hearts out on the massive green fields at this Allen park. The playground is large and the ramps are both wheelchair accessible and easy for new walkers to master. There’s also a splash pad for hot summer days, a covered pavilion for lunch dates and plenty of room to run free. My favorite feature is the duck pond, bring a few slices of bread with you and these ducks go crazy for it. I’m not sure who loves this more – my toddler or the ducks!
Stonebriar Mall in Frisco
There’s something fun about roaming through this quiet mall on a weekday morning—bring your stroller along. The small indoor play area is perfect for toddlers and has comfortable seats for moms to sit and chat. You can check out the free weekly story and craft time at Barnes and Noble every Thursday at 11am. If you’re willing to drop a few dollars, head over to the carousel in the food court and take a ride. My favorite feature is the train table inside Barnes and Noble. Stop and stay a while; there’s plenty of room to explore the toys and books.
Finch Park in McKinney
I just love this shady, charming park near downtown McKinney. It has a playground, lots of sticks and grass to explore, and, you guessed it, a splash pad for the summer. Bring a big quilt and stay a while or wrap up your play date by swinging by McKinney Square, less than a mile away. Eat at toddler friendly Spoons Cafe or Mellow Mushroom. My favorite feature is the scenery. If you’re snap-happy like me, bring your camera because this park makes a great backdrop.
Where are you playing for free in Collin County? What great parks and libraries am I missing out on?
Read More: 5 Unique Playgrounds in Collin County
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Lisbeth- awesome list. I’m gonna check out Hope Park in Frisco next week since all three boys will be at home. Have you checked out Allen Public Library? They have a kids puppet theatre area (popular with the littles!) Also, they have tons of activities for toddlers and kids of all ages going on throughout the month.