Updated: March 30, 2021
Originally Published: September 14, 2017
Recently, I took my adventurous 6-year-old son to a brand new playground. This sprawling beige structure, accented with vibrant blue and orange, sits on a soft, cushioned surface and is enclosed by a robust metal fence. It boasts two slides, a shaky bridge for running across, and a climbing wall that rises five feet on one side. At first glance, it looks like your standard neighborhood playground.
My son eagerly scrambled up, slid down a few times, and bravely navigated the relatively low monkey bars. After a couple of rounds, he landed softly on the ground, rubbed his hands together, and declared, “This place is boring, Mom.”
I couldn’t disagree. Within just 20 minutes, he had conquered every challenge this shiny playground offered. There was no physical challenge that pushed his limits, nor any problem to solve in order to engage with the equipment—this was in the designated area for children aged 5–12.
Research indicates that taking measured risks is crucial for healthy child development. However, many playgrounds are intentionally designed to minimize risk. Softer materials, lower heights, and fewer challenging activities, combined with parental worries about injuries, mean that children often miss out on opportunities to truly push their physical and creative boundaries. When kids don’t have the chance to tackle a risky skill, such as jumping from a slightly uncomfortable height, they may develop anxiety later on—not just about physical challenges but in various aspects of life.
Reflecting on my own childhood, I recall wandering freely with friends through my neighborhood and nearby woods. We played hide-and-seek, moved fallen branches, and dared each other to cross rickety logs. We trekked through mud, sampled unknown berries, and raced through the underbrush—all without adult supervision. At mealtime, we returned home breathless, dirty, and perhaps a bit scratched. Our adventures belonged solely to us.
While I may be romanticizing those days, allowing children to cultivate independence and explore the world on their own holds significant value. Can we give our kids more freedom and opportunities for risk during play? Communities across the nation seem to believe so. Inspired by innovative playgrounds in other countries, U.S. communities are creating environments that foster the kinds of play experiences children naturally seek.
This isn’t a return to the unsafe metal playgrounds of the past. Instead, modern playscapes strive to strike a balance between safety and risk, blending seamlessly into their surroundings, incorporating loose parts, and emphasizing coordination and collaboration skills. While traditional bright colors and rigid structures will remain, there’s a noticeable shift toward thoughtful design that respects nature and nurtures children’s innate curiosity.
Here are seven incredible—and free—playgrounds around the country that support natural child development, even if they make parents a bit nervous:
- Adventure Playground, Berkeley, California
Located on a half-acre along the San Francisco Bay, this playground is filled with movable parts. Children use wood, hammers, nails, and paint to constantly enhance this creative space. Staff members are available to assist when necessary, but kids are encouraged to collaborate and create independently. - Imagination Playground, New York, New York
As the flagship location of the Imagination Playground brand, this urban playground features large, loose blue foam blocks that can be arranged in countless ways. Playing with these loose parts allows children to explore their creativity endlessly. Plus, interpreters are on-site to help kids discuss their projects. - Woodland Discovery Playground, Memphis, Tennessee
Situated in Shelby Farms Park, this playground was designed with input from children. It includes six play “nests,” each catering to different types of play, as well as a giant tree house and a net climbing structure. - Natural Playground, Westport, Connecticut
Covering 10,000 square feet in a meadow, this natural playground is crafted entirely from materials found in the local environment. Features include an elven village with pine-cone dolls, ample sticks for fort-building, and several trails to wander. - Riverview Park, Mesa, Arizona
This modern playground may stand out in the desert landscape, but it compensates for its bright colors with a staggering 50-foot Genesis climbing tower that accommodates up to 250 people. It’s the perfect spot for children seeking a challenge, along with a splash pad for cooling off on warm days. - Alexander W. Kemp Playground, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Constructed from natural wood and nestled in a series of hills and valleys, this playground features water and sand play, wooden branches, stumps, and blocks for building. Swings and slides are built into the landscape, along with a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. - Rural Studio Lions Park Playscape, Greensboro, Alabama
This maze-like playground is made from 2,000 recycled 55-gallon steel drums, designed by Auburn University students. Kids can climb, leap, and hide among the drums, with sound tubes and sensory rooms hidden throughout the maze for added exploration.
In addition to these amazing play spaces, there are unique themed playgrounds worth exploring. The Musical Playground in Moab, Utah, features enormous working instruments for creative play. The Harry Thomas Sr. Playground in Washington, DC, employs math concepts like the Fibonacci sequence in its design. Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s Playground in Pocatello, Idaho, includes high-back swings and ramps to ensure kids of all abilities can engage together.
Risk-taking, skill-building, and independent exploration are essential for healthy childhood development. Providing opportunities for our kids to roam and test their abilities helps them grow. All we need to do is learn to step back and let them thrive.
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Summary: This article highlights seven remarkable and free playgrounds across the United States that promote exploration, risk-taking, and creativity in children. By focusing on natural child development, these playgrounds offer unique experiences that encourage independent play and healthy risk-taking.