Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • What You Need To Know About Curb Ramps
  • Combating Childhood Obesity
  • 9 Things You No Longer See on Playgrounds
  • Benefits of Nature Play
  • Train Themed Playground
  • The World is a Kiwanis Playground

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. Parenting
  4. Understanding Children’s Playground Expectations

Understanding Children’s Playground Expectations

Parenting
August 01, 2005
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
By Playground Magazine on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
534

Truly understanding children and playgrounds is not as easy as one may think. The way adults perceive playgrounds can be vastly different than a child’s perception of a playground.  For example, recently I helped a school district in a large urban area design and order a play structure. The group was comprised of adult leaders of the school and parent organization. The group had done its homework.

They had a very good understanding of the CPSC and ASTM guidelines. They had visited dozens of parks and playgrounds, observing the children and the equipment at these locations. During the process of designing the playground the group eliminated the banister slide. This is a piece of equipment that is comprised of two, two and three-eighths inch pipes that run parallel to each other and slope down to ground level from an elevated deck. The child, as the adults saw it, could put his behind between the pipes and slide down–a slide without a place to put your seat! This playground committee of educated, dedicated and informed adults was confident that the banister slide had no place on their play structure.

Through visiting the existing playground sites, and through the course of communicating with children at these play parks, the committee actually found that most children love to use the banister slide and in fact do not always use it as a sit down and slide component but instead use it as a hanging post or a place to bend and twist their bodies. They use it as a climber and for numerous other creative activities. Children love the banister slide! This playground design group had learned that a child sees and uses playgrounds differently than an adult may see and use a playground. The design group put the banister slide component back on their list of desirable features as they recognized that a playground must meet the imagination and thrill expectations from a child’s perception of fun.  

Another belief I have noticed among adults buying playgrounds is that children come to the park, use the equipment to “swing and slide,” and then leave as if playgrounds have a hurried purpose, hurry and slide, hurry and swing–let’s hurry so we can go! If the correct equipment is placed at a children’s park, the children will be in no hurry to leave. The hurry part of life is for adults, (except the “hurry and feed me” part that children would not usually choose to delay); children want to hang about the playground, pretending, laughing with friends and using some of their youthful energy.  

When designing or buying a playground, check with local children about the ideas you have come up with. Better yet, let children be involved in the process. It will be a great learning experience for the children, and you will be amazed what you will learn about playgrounds from the kids. Be willing to let yourself view the process from the eyes of those who will be using the equipment. Be willing to listen to what the children have to say. Be willing to imagine! Truly understanding children and playgrounds is as easy as watching, listening, and talking with children. Talk, watch and listen to the children in your community next time you work on a playground project.

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Playground Magazine
Playground Magazine
Published 17 years ago
Last updated 2 years ago
534
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Parenting

Talking to kids about racism
Jul 13, 2020
Parenting

Talking To Your Kids About Racism

Arslan Hassan
Oct 01, 2005
Parenting

Keith Addleman

Playground Magazine
The silent tragedy affecting today’s children
May 29, 2017
Parenting

The Silent Tragedy Affecting Today's Children

PGP
Girls playing pretend
Jul 02, 2018
Parenting

Encouraging Children to Play Creatively and Safely

Kacey Mya
Nov 01, 2002
Parenting

Volunteer Leader

Playground Magazine
How To Encourage Your Child’s Independence
Mar 09, 2021
Parenting

How To Encourage Your Child’s Independence

PGP
5 Ways Parents Can Foster Grit in Their Children
May 25, 2020
Parenting

5 Ways Parents Can Foster Grit in Their Children

Aalexandra Eidens
How to Teach Kids About Responsibility From a Young Age
Feb 15, 2022
Parenting

How to Teach Kids About Responsibility From a Young Age

Cora Gold
Feb 01, 2004
Parenting

Empty Beaches

Playground Magazine
4 Santa-Approved Ways Kids Can Give Back During the Holidays
Dec 09, 2021
Parenting

4 Santa-Approved Ways Kids Can Give Back During the Holidays

PGP
6 Physical Activities For Kids That You Can Do As A Family
Dec 28, 2021
Parenting

6 Physical Activities For Kids That You Can Do As A Family

Inna Atwood
Everything You Need to Prepare Your Family for Summer
May 03, 2022
Parenting

Everything You Need to Prepare Your Family for Summer

Cora Gold

Parenting Professionals

There are currently no professionals listed here.
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions