In 1837, early childhood psychologist Friedrich Fr?bel introduced the concept of kindergarten. He developed an early kindergarten and built the first playground in Bad Blankenburg in modern-day Germany. Unfortunately, the kindergarten was banned by the Prussian government that came to power in 1851. In 1886, Boston created what was arguably America's first amusement park, but many residents of the United States still consider public playground funds a waste and useless. In 1901, the first reports of accidental street deaths were published, and the number of children killed was surprising. In addition, American educational theory began to realize the relevance of games and education. The American Playground Association was established in 1906.
During the next decades from the 1910s to the 1920s, manufacturers began to create new forms of entertainment for children, creating ladders, chains and new types of climbing areas. The first playground slide was installed in Wicksteed Park in Kettering, England in 1922. Playground construction slowed in the 1930s and 1940s due to the Great Depression and World War II. Landscaped playgrounds became popular in the late 1940s and late 1950s. People began to see playgrounds as the main place for children's entertainment.
From the 1950s to the 1960s, playgrounds gradually became popular, and parents began to pay attention to the safety of children in playgrounds, calling for changes in playgrounds, and playground equipment began to become more rounded. Themed playgrounds have become more popular since the 1980s. Mazes and puzzles are incorporated into the playground as part of the game to engage children in physical activity and help them fight obesity. Since the 2000s, more communities have raised funds to build playgrounds.
Indoor playgrounds emerged after World War II, and they were not only safer, but also provided children with a place to play year-round.
According to the size of playgrounds, playgrounds can be divided into small, medium and large playgrounds. Small playgrounds are usually less than 15’x 10’. Equipment includes a small slide, one or two swings, a standard ladder and an upper play area. It can accommodate up to 20 children and is suitable for children from 2 months to 2 years old. Playgrounds of this size are often found in home backyards or kindergartens. The size of a medium-sized playground is usually 20'x 20', and the specific size varies with the arrangement of the equipment. It can accommodate up to 50 children and is suitable for children aged 2 to 5. Playgrounds of this size usually appear in schools or parks. Large playgrounds are usually larger than 40'x 40', can accommodate more than 75 people, and are suitable for children from 5 to 12 years old. Playgrounds of this size are often found in large schools or large parks due to their large footprint. The average size of a commercial playground is 35’x 27’or 945 sq ft.
The biggest playground in Sydney--- Blaxland Riverside Park
Blaxland Riverside Park is Sydney's largest outdoor playground, covering more than 7 acres and containing a variety of play equipment, including a double flying fox, mega-swings, tunnel slides, scramble walls, spinning play discs, viking swings, multi- level tree houses and the largest outdoor water play area. In summer you can also see fountains.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington
Hyland Lake Park is known as Chutes and Ladders Park, it has sheer size and is suitable for all ages. Designed with creativity and imagination, Chutes and Ladders Park features a variety of equipment ranging from 4- to 50-foot slides, sand, tire swings, wooden climbing ladders, rope climbs, and rock climbing walls. There is something for everyone. Although the park is huge, it only has one exit, so don't worry about your kids getting lost. In fine weather, you can also have a picnic, fly a kite or play Frisbee with the kids on the huge grass outside the play area.
The playground is located in the Three Rivers Park District. It is three stories high and the kids can enjoy huge slides. Additionally, the entertainment area features a flying saucer swing, poles, climbing wall, rope climb spinner and weird rectangular zip line. This playground is equally suitable for children of all ages. The playground on the lowest level is perfect for children aged 2 and 5, who can play on the small slides or pile up sand in the bunker next to them. Older kids can go for the ropes area and extra-long slides. Adults can relax on the swimming beach, disc golf course next to the play area.
The Place Space is an indoor playground. The Play Space is three stories high and covers an area of 6,000 square feet. It has a Ball blaster arena, over 35 arcade games, a 20-foot slide, endless tunnels and plenty of obstacles. The playground also features a separate "baby space" with every inch of it covered with padded ground play, perfect for babies and toddlers learning to crawl, walk and climb. The baby space is reserved for children 18 months and younger and is gated and monitored by Play Space staff. "The Tot Space" has a mini playground for your children (under four years old) to practice as they prepare to tackle "The Play Space". In addition, there is a coffee corner and a party space where you can hold birthday parties and various celebrations.
Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain is an 88,000-square-foot water playground, the largest indoor playground in Michigan. Here you can experience the big couloir, rip zone surf simulator, splasherhorn, lazy river adventure, downhill mat racer, Super-G slide, Blizzard Bay, Haute Route water crossing, vertigo cannon bowl and glacier hot springs. There is also “the Kitz Pool’’ for the little splashers. It offers a safe environment with sprinklers, buckets and a mini-slide that keeps babies and their parents smiling for hours. The arcade here is filled with a ton of games for any age. Like the Place Space in Texas, birthday parties can also be held here.