Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • Playgrounds Make a Great Place for a Play Day
  • Critical Lightning Detection
  • Rules of the Red Rubber Ball Book Review
  • 3 Overlooked Benefits to Building a Playground in Your Community
  • Play Spaces for All Abilities

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Playground
  3. Playgrounds for the Grown

Playgrounds for the Grown

Playground
April 12, 2016
Profile picture for user Bernie Dekoven
By Bernie Dekoven on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
2556
Adult Swings

Adult Swings

This seems more like my friend Christopher Noxon was writing about in his book Rejuvenile. Not that it's a bad thing, building oversized playgrounds so adults can relive their childhood. It's a genuine invitation to play. And it's fun.

But, in truth, what I mean when I think about adult playgrounds is something alot more like this:

Grown-ups playing

...an open field where we can all play together: adults, kids, all of us. Like we did at all those amazing New Games events of yore about which I, apparently, can't stop writing and talking about and teaching and advocating.

Of course, when I talk about playgrounds in general, for anybody, and especially for kids, this is what I mean:

The Land (Teaser) from Play Free Movie on Vimeo.

You know, places where kids can play freely (they call it "free play"), with adults around - not to supervise them, but to be there when needed, as playworkers, doing the adult kinds of things Penny Wilson writes about so beautifully, so passionately.

Fortunately, there are more and more invitations for grown people to play. Some come from artists, like the people who created these:

Adult Swings

and these (one of my favorites) which level up a traditional playground element into an invitation to a new kind of experience: sensitive, cooperative, very grown-up kind of play.

21 Balançoires (21 Swings) from Daily tous les jours on Vimeo.

Fun for adults!

Bernie, you always find the best fun for everyone! Love the playgrounds for grownups! I want to play!

Profile picture for user Rita Watts
Wed, 04/13/2016 - 10:50
Rita Watts
Profile picture for user Bernie Dekoven
Bernie Dekoven
Published 6 years ago
Last updated 3 months ago
2556
1
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About

Jan 26, 2016
Playground

The "New" Adventure Playgrounds

Jay-Beckwith
Mar 01, 2007
Playground

Urban Infill at St. Bernard School

Dan and Gini McKain
Aug 01, 2006
Playground

Diving into your First Playground

Playground Magazine
Sep 23, 2020
Playground

Synergy Imagination

Sarah Lisiecki
Oct 11, 2016
Playground

Play 4 ALL Healing Communities Through Play-Our Pilot project in Ferguson, Missouri

Victoria Babb
Dec 01, 2002
Playground

Wish List

Playground Magazine
May 26, 2014
Playground

Scale, imagination, and innovation in modern playgrounds

PGP
Mar 30, 2014
Playground

Shady Lane Park - A new era of playground design forges memories for the whole family

Anne-Marie-Spencer
Mar 27, 2017
Playground

What play benefits do playgrounds bring to children?

Pat Rumbaugh
Feb 03, 2014
Playground

Top 10 best free adventure playgrounds in the UK

PGP
Jun 24, 2013
Playground

The Play-Friendly Playground

Jay-Beckwith
Mar 01, 2002
Playground

Play Value

Playground Magazine

Playground Professionals

Clearwater Recreation, LLC
Clearwater Recreation, LLC
Manufacturer
More
Kompan UK LTD
Kompan UK LTD
Manufacturer
More
MaxPlayFit
MaxPlayFit
Sales Rep
More
ACS Playground Adventures
ACS Playground Adventures
Services
More
Creative Recreational Designs, Inc.
Creative Recreational Designs, Inc.
Manufacturer
More
EcoPlay Playgrounds
EcoPlay Playgrounds
Manufacturer
More
Fry Park and Playground Equipment
Fry Park and Playground Equipment
Sales Rep
More
Five Seasons Sports & Recreation
Five Seasons Sports & Recreation
Services
More
Flagship Recreation
Flagship Recreation
Manufacturer
More
Community Playgrounds
Community Playgrounds
Services
More
Miracle Recreation
Miracle Recreation
Manufacturer
More
Hunter Knepshield
Hunter Knepshield
Manufacturer
More
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