When my children and I were invited to a “really cool playground” I had no idea what lay in store.
It turns out that the word “playground” was actually quite an understatement. The place was more of a play paradise. Located in Haidian District, Kukutu (酷酷兔 in Chinese) is conveniently located a five-minute walk from Huoqiying subway station (line 10). We first visited on a weekday and found the park pretty much deserted. We were so impressed by this oasis that we returned at the weekend for a second helping. As to be expected, there were significantly more people about at the weekend. However, the place did not at all feel overrun. An upside of visiting on a Saturday or Sunday is this is when the splash pads are turned on, providing a fun means of refreshment in the midst of the current oven-like temperatures.
The park boasts a plethora of high-quality apparatus spread across a vast expanse. It even has an exhilarating-looking zipline. I didn’t get around to going on it myself, but I was eyeing it up, and it is definitely on my bucket list for next time.
There is also an extremely large sand pit in which children can dig and play, with an elaborate water table at its center. It is worth noting that the sand here is not the typical sand that one might find on most beaches. This substance is much darker in color, and thus when mixed with the water that is readily available turns into a mud-like concoction that is apt to stain clothing (I’m talking from experience here). When we visited for the second time, I learned from my mistake and clothed my daughters appropriately. The bathing suits they wore were perfect for both the sandpit and the splash pads.
For an adventure playground, Kukutu is incredibly green. Lush trees, dotted both within and around the park, serve to enhance the tranquil setting and provide cool areas of shade. One could quite easily spend the whole day here—play in the morning, picnic lunch, followed by more play. My daughters practically had to be dragged away when it was time to leave. A few seconds after finally exiting the park, my three-year-old daughter asked if we could return another day. We most certainly will.
Kukutu (酷酷兔)
RMB 30 for children. Adults enter for free. Daily 10am-8pm. Huoqiying Road and Lanqing Road Intersection No.30, Haidian (8843 4438)
Photos: Pamela Djima
