Buzz
Let's face it: modern playgrounds are somewhat dull. Despite their vibrant colors and safety-focused designs, the generic plastic structures fail to match the excitement of old-school seesaws, scorching metal slides, and whirlwind merry-go-rounds.
This lack of excitement is detrimental to children. Research shows that play is crucial for fostering a healthy mind and body. A 2011 study by Norwegian psychologists revealed that encountering and overcoming risks during play is vital for child development. Shielding kids from such experiences may contribute to heightened anxiety. Therefore, playgrounds that allow children to climb, spin, and take risks aren’t just more enjoyable—they’re essential for healthy growth.
Variety in playground activities is also key to keeping children active, enhancing motor skills [PDF], and addressing childhood obesity. A study involving Danish schoolchildren found that concrete play areas led to less physical activity compared to other surfaces. Kids on unmarked paved areas remained largely inactive, while those on grass or using play equipment moved significantly more.
Fortunately, while many playgrounds have prioritized safety over excitement, there are still exceptional spots worldwide where children can experience pure, unbridled joy. Here’s a look at some of the most incredible playgrounds across the planet.
1. Neptune Park
In Saratoga Springs, Utah, a 30-foot-tall climbing pyramid—taller than most two-story homes—debuted in 2012. Built with a metal frame and internal rope netting to prevent falls exceeding 6 feet, its creators proudly claim it’s the biggest play pyramid in the western hemisphere.
2. Swarovski Crystal Worlds
While children might not appreciate the legacy of Austria’s Swarovski crystal company, the museum’s playground is a highlight worth visiting. The four-story play structure includes a trampoline, rope swings, a 45-foot-tall climbing net, and multiple slides.
3. Lake Macquarie Variety Playground
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4. Imagination Playground
Located in New York City and designed by renowned architect David Rockwell, this playground encourages children to create their own adventures. With a minimalist setup, kids engage with sand, water, and uniquely shaped blue blocks, stacking and connecting them to invent new forms of play.
5. Nagasaki School
In Nagasaki, Japan, a multi-level urban school introduces an innovative approach to recess. The rooftop playground, designed by architects Hibinosekkei, features a climbing net extending from a playroom below. Inside, children can enjoy sliding down a fireman’s pole!
6. Harry Thomas Sr. Playground
Located in Washington, D.C., this playground is inspired by mathematics, specifically the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. The pathways and play structures are designed with Fibonacci spirals, creating a unique and educational play environment.
7. Woodland Discovery Playground
Aiming to redefine the playground experience, the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy in Memphis constructed a woodland park where children are encouraged to “explore, climb, slide, swing, build, and uncover hidden opportunities,” as envisioned by the designers at James Corner Field Operations (known for Manhattan’s High Line). Collaborating with local children, the team created a space divided into “play nests” featuring slides, treehouses, climbing nets, sand areas, and more, all linked by a meandering ivy-covered pathway.
8. The Land
Modeled after the concept of junk playgrounds introduced by Danish architect Carl Theodor Sorensen in the 1930s, this Welsh playground is a haven of discarded materials. With minimal adult intervention, children wield hammers, scale trees, construct hideouts, and even start fires. The philosophy behind these “adventure playgrounds” is to teach kids risk-taking and teamwork, skills not fostered by traditional playgrounds under constant adult supervision. A documentary film about this playground debuted in April.
9. New York Hall of Science
Located in Corona, New York, the Science Playground at the New York Hall of Science is the largest of its kind in the U.S. Spanning 60,000 square feet, this outdoor space encourages children to experiment with motion, balance, and basic machinery. Activities include interacting with water features, climbing a massive spider web, riding an oversized seesaw—all while discovering the scientific principles behind them.
10. Wallholla
Built to maximize space for children at a school in Purmerend, the Netherlands, Wallholla is a vertical playground resembling a skyscraper. Despite its narrow footprint, it offers a variety of activities. Ribbon-like platforms wind through a wire mesh enclosure, allowing up to 30 kids to climb, explore, and move around simultaneously. This innovative design is now available in the U.S. as well.
11. Takino Suzuran National Park Playground
Japanese artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam started transforming her crocheted art into interactive playgrounds in the mid-1990s. Located in Takino Suzuran National Park in Hokkaido, Japan, this vibrant installation opened in 2000. The colorful net structure took three years to crochet by hand.
12. Children's Railway Station
Designed by Danish firm Monstrum, this indoor playground at the Danish Railway Museum draws inspiration from Odense’s 1960s railway station. The train-themed play area includes a ticket booth, control tower, passenger carriages, an explorable engine section, and other immersive elements.
13. Anthill Playground
Designed by Monstrum, this incredible forest playground is located at Klehund Dryrehave, a former hunting estate in Denmark. It features an 8-foot-tall slide shaped like a giant ant, an anthill for climbing, a cozy “lumberjack hut” for picnics, and a 65-foot-tall watchtower for panoramic views.
14. Bounce Below
At Zip World in northern Wales, a historic slate mine has been transformed into an underground wonderland. The space includes massive trampolines, bouncy nets, walkways, and slides, all spread across multiple levels. The highest chamber reaches 180 feet above the ground. Recently, a dedicated area for children aged 3 to 6 was added to the experience.
15. City Museum
St. Louis’ City Museum is essentially a massive playground. Inside, visitors can explore a towering treehouse and zoom down a 10-story spiral slide that leads to the basement. Outside, the rooftop features a 30-foot Ferris wheel, aircraft to climb into, a rope swing, and other exciting attractions.
16. The Green Heart at Shaw Park
Playgrounds aren’t just for children. The Green Heart, an outdoor gym in Kingston upon Hull, England, is designed for adults. It includes stationary bikes, step platforms, cross trainers, and more. This adult jungle gym is powered by human energy, lighting up at night using electricity generated from the equipment.
