Natural Elements that Include the Surrounding Area Set These Playscapes Apart Play is a means by which we first form our understanding of the wider world. Most of our earliest interactions involve play and play-like behaviors. For example, peek-a-boo is an important milestone in cognitive development that demonstrates an emerging understanding of the concept of… Read more »
For These Offices, Playground Equipment is not Just for Kids The connection between play and productivity is well established. The dopamine produced by our brains during play activities is a powerful motivator. The effects of which last far beyond the initial period of play and positively impact a person’s approach to both menial tasks and… Read more »
Creative Designs and Uses that Go Beyond the Traditional Playground Swing When it comes to playground equipment, the swing holds a special place. Swings are often among the most popular features of any playscape. They give everyone an opportunity to soar through the air while always encouraging us to reach ever-higher. The rhythmic back-and-forth of… Read more »
As Children Return to School, A Reminder that Daily Play Makes a Measurable Difference Since the early days of one-room school houses, recess has been an important part of education. In those early times, there was often an informal period of play before and after school, in addition to a regular mid-day break. Even… Read more »
Playgrounds Were Nothing New, Until Goric’s Founder Helped Change the Game It all comes down to perspective. Children explore a world much different than the ones inhabited by adults. Everything is bigger and harder to reach. As a child, it can often seem that adults spend their time telling you what not to do, rather than encouraging you… Read more »
From Vacant Lots to Modern Marvels, Playgrounds Have Come a Long Ways It is relatively easy to conjure memories of days spent following the lead of our own imagination as we played on the neighborhood playground equipment. We soared into the air, climbed our way to triumph, raced down the slide and then back… Read more »
A Focus on Solutions During National Childhood Obesity Month According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one out of every three children are overweight or obese in America today. A full third of our country’s children are at significant risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other avoidable ailments. Fortunately,… Read more »
The German Playground Designer Peter Heuken traces the beginnings of his world-renowned work to the age of five. That’s when he received his first real tool kit. It is not usually recommended to give sharp blades and other adult tools to someone barely past the toddler stage of life. Luckily, Mr. Heuken was not your typical child. Even… Read more »
These Twelve Parks for Grown-Ups Offer the Benefits of Play and a Good Time We are all lucky to live in an age of expansive play. Adult playgrounds and similar facilities are available throughout the U.S. for most anyone’s enjoyment and benefit. Each one serves as evidence that playgrounds, parks, and even businesses are… Read more »
When you play a word association game with ‘playground’, you’ll likely get some of the following responses: sand; ladders; monkey bars; summer; children. It’s worth noticing that the word ‘children’ is included, but where are all the ‘grown-ups’? A new movement for intergenerational playgrounds has the potential to change this outdated conception. Historically, playgrounds were created for the… Read more »
Born Ephraim Owen Goldberg, architect Frank Gehry has brought his unique style of playfulness and whimsy to every project he’s been a part of. Whether it’s designing watches for Fossil or the artistic Fondation Louis Vuitton Center in Paris, his dramatic style is completely evident in each one of his structures. Not only that, but his influence… Read more »
Summer is here and hotter than ever. Still, you can’t keep the kids inside forever. Why not engage in a little creative play at your nearest water feature? From splash pads to creative water stations, we’ve compiled a list of the best East Cost adventures for families looking for low-budget, high-fun play. If you’re… Read more »