Playgrounds and things to do with kids in San Mateo (9)

A giant castle-and-dragon-themed playground inside Coyote Point, with two separate play zones so big kids and toddlers don't collide. Sandy beach, marina breakwater for plane-spotting over SFO, weekend train rides in season, and CuriOdyssey next door make it a genuine half-day outing.

Bayfront park with one of the Peninsula's few splash pads plus a big playground and picnic lawns right on the water. Flat Bay Trail access makes it stroller and balance-bike friendly.

A Park a Day Bay Area 'Top Pick': three climbing huts linked by a rope bridge, a big rope-climbing structure, 10 swings (4 of them baby swings) and a separate little-kids playground. Skate park next door for older siblings.

The park in the middle of San Mateo: a Japanese tea garden, a miniature train at weekends, and a playground with restrooms.

A Park a Day 'Top Pick': big 5-12 playground (tube slides, climbing, spinners, rock wall) with a separate tot playground for ages 2-5. Dog park and grassy fields, footbridge to Casanova Park.

Fully gated playground by the old Bay Meadows track: climbing net cube and rock wall for ages 5-12 plus a separate smaller toddler playground, with plenty of parent seating.

Part zoo, part science museum: native California animals (otters, bobcats, eagles) plus hands-on science exhibits, right on the bay at Coyote Point. $29.95 adults, $24.95 kids 18 months-17, infants free; there's also a $6 park vehicle fee.

A big San Mateo park with a playground split for little and big kids, plus a Japanese Tea Garden, arboretum, and a free train ride.