The biggest parks in Nampa

The centrepiece of Nampa's park system and the one to pick for a full day out. Two playgrounds, a duck pond, a rose garden and a StoryWalk sit alongside the city's water park, which has a beach-style entry that suits paddlers and a two-storey slide for older kids. Three of the shelters take bookings, so it handles birthdays well. The water park charges admission, unlike the free splash pads at Midway and Orah Brandt.

• 2 playgrounds
• Lakeview Water Park
• Restrooms
• 3 shelters
• Duck pond

Thirty-seven acres split between quiet corners and busy ones: two playgrounds and a pond at one end, four softball diamonds and a nine-hole disc golf course at the other. Both shelters take bookings, and the one by the pond is the better spot with small children.

• 2 playgrounds
• Restrooms
• 2 shelters
• Pond

The strongest pick in Nampa if accessibility matters: the city describes the playground here as universally accessible, and it sits next to a free splash pad rather than a paid pool. Ten ball diamonds and six pickleball courts mean the far side of the park gets busy with league play while the playground end stays separate.

• Playground
• Splash pad
• Restrooms
• 2 shelters

Two playgrounds and a free splash pad on Cherry Lane, with a rose garden and a nine-hole disc golf course sharing the same twenty-nine acres. A good middle option: big enough to have real amenities, small enough that you can keep eyes on a wandering three-year-old.

• 2 playgrounds
• Splash pad
• Restrooms
• 2 shelters

Primarily a ball-sports park: a four-field softball complex, T-ball diamonds and soccer pitches, with a playground and restrooms attached. Best treated as somewhere to take a younger sibling while an older one plays, rather than a destination playground in its own right.

• Playground
• Restrooms

Twenty-five acres of fields on the north side, with a playground, public restrooms and a shelter you can book. The wide open play areas are the draw here more than the equipment.

• Playground
• Restrooms
• 1 shelter

Two playgrounds and Lincoln Pool on the same block, with a shelter beside each. Booking the playground shelter and letting older kids swim while the little ones stay on the equipment is the obvious move here.

• 2 playgrounds
• Lincoln Pool
• Restrooms
• 2 shelters

Ten soccer pitches make this the busiest field complex in the city on a Saturday morning, next door to the Nampa Recreation Center. There is a playground, restrooms and a bookable shelter, but expect company during the season.

• Playground
• Restrooms
• 1 shelter

Sixteen quiet acres built around a pond and a nine-hole disc golf course, with a playground, a shelter and a link onto the Elijah Pathway. Worth knowing before you set out: there are no restrooms here, which makes it better for a short stop than an afternoon.

• Playground
• 1 shelter
• Pond

More nature area than playground: thirteen acres of trails and open grass off Juniper Street, with a single playground and access onto the Wilson Pathway. A good stroller walk, though there are no restrooms.

• Playground