Adventure Playgrounds
A day at the beach - there's nothing like it for drawing kids into an exploration of the elements. Even teenagers who normally have to be pried away from their electronic devices are thrilled to tumble down sand dunes, splash around in the water, dig and build in the sand, pick up and examine what the waves have brought in. They are particularly pleased to collect drift wood, build a fire and poke it about for ages.
Undirected, exploratory, cooperative play with constant sensory input - sun in their eyes, wind in their hair, surrounded by rhythmic pulses, sand everywhere and ... the occasional bug in the mouth. Truly relaxed but quietly learning. Gross motor, fine motor, right brain and left - here kids are completely and happily engaged. They are invited to manipulate and transform the environment only to wake up the next morning to witness what the waves and weather have in turn accomplished overnight. This is truly one of nature's best playgrounds.
On the bank of the Seine, Paris, France
Built playgrounds in the city can feel so limiting, rigid and directive by comparison.
Unless! you are fortunate enough to have access to a Junk Playground or Adventure Playground. Adventure playgrounds are unique, somewhat rare and adhere to certain principles of design. These special play spaces are adaptive, meant to be manipulated and altered by children and they incorporate risks which allow children to problem solve and test their limits.
Justin McGuirk of the Guardian Newspaper (UK) writes beautifully about the architecture of Adventure Playgrounds, their history and philosophy in his article "Sense of adventure: what happened to playgrounds that give children space?"
To see a true Adventure Playground in action have a look below at this interview between Penny Wilson (PATH) and Bernard Spiegal (PLAYLINK) about the wonders of Glamis Adventure Playground