ADVOCATE ORNAMENT

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Playground features: A pyramid of climbing ropes, a huge climbing boulder and a maze of monkey bars and slides

Bonus: Plenty of benches and a working water fountain with a dog fountain

Drawback: No shade

What the critics say: The three 6-year-old boys played in the drinking fountains for the first 10 minutes, and the big climbing rock is the main attraction; the ability to climb it is a rite of passage for older kids.

D’Arcy: “It’s fun because you can be creative. Kidd Springs Park is the best because there are more things to do.”

Aubrey Cate: “I like the wobbly bridge. It can bounce you.”

Colin: He liked the big slide and the pyramid of climbing ropes, which some kids described as “the Eiffel Tower” or “the Christmas tree.” Hiding from the girls and “spying” on them was a main activity for the younger boys, and Colin says this park allows fewer spots for espionage.

John: Regarding climbing the rock, “you can just relax up there.”

Art Scavenger Hunt 10 am – 2 pm

Children’s Art Activity

10 am – 12 noon

Art in Action Sculpture Demo

10 am – 12:30 pm

Family Tours

Hourly from 10:15 am – 12:15 pm

Yoga in the Garden 11:30 am

Presented by YogaSport (weather permitting)

Creative Writing with

The Writer’s Garret 12 pm

Storytime with Dallas Public Library 12:30 pm

NasherKids Live! 1 pm

Science for Kids, Presented by the Perot Museum of Nature and Science

NasherKids Meal at Nasher Cafe

11 am – 2 pm

NasherSculptureCenter.org

Kiest Park

3080 S. Hampton

Playground features: A big play structure with slides, climbing ropes, monkey bars and more, plus tactile, hand-eye coordination toys built in. Swings, see-saws and smaller play structures for little ones.

Bonus: Kiest Park has a lot to offer, including a running path, tennis courts and bathrooms.

Drawback: Can be crowded

What the critics say: By the time we made it to Kiest Park, most of our critics had fallen out. But this was the busiest playground we visited. It held the interest of toddlers who had just started walking, up to sixth-graders. It was the only playground we visited that had a shade structure. One parent noted she doesn’t visit the playground at Kidd Springs Park in the heat of summer because it’s too hot, but at least half of this playground was in the shade. It also features a soft ground surface. Sammy Armstrong of Oak Cliff says he brings his granddaughters, 11-yearold Maya and 5-year-old Christian, to play here every weekend. “This is the best one in the area,” he says. “It’s the biggest. They don’t get bored.”