Watkins Regional Park near Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Watkins Regional Park in Kettering, Maryland has a variety of impressive attractions to keep your family happy for a full day. There's a Wizard Of Oz-themed playground with climbing structures that look like the emerald palace and an antique tractor, ruby red slipper slides, and playhouses designed to look like Auntie Em's house and an old barn. There is a lot of space to spread out, and it is a completely unique design. There are also a couple of swings toward the back. As you enter the playground stop to admire the hand-carved wood sculpture, The Witch of Watkins along the "yellow brick road." This is one of multiple statues you can find around the park, and it was designed and hand-carved by a local chainsaw artist.

A Nature Center for the Creature Crazy Kid! 

When your kids have enjoyed the playground, head to the Nature Center to see snakes, spiders, turtles, and other fantastic creatures, including a scorpion that glows in UV light and a crow that can talk when he feels like it.  There is also a live bird exhibit behind the nature center, and if you arrive at the right time, you may be able to watch a member of the team feed or, in our case, weigh the birds. It was amusing for all ages to watch them coax the large bird to cooperate. The rangers are very helpful and can provide you with a discovery backpack that includes binoculars, a compass, and several field guides to the plants and animals that you might encounter when you embark on your hike.  

There are a few different hiking options, so you can tailor your journey to the age level and ability of your group.  There's also a paved trail that winds around the park if you want to go on a stroller walk or run or if the kiddos are in the mood to do some scootering instead.

Farm, Carousel, and Mini Golf too!

The park also has an educational agricultural farm, the Old Maryland Farm, as well as an antique carousel, a miniature train, and a mini-golf course. 

You can often find an ice cream truck cruising through, and other food trucks as well at times.