Move Over Kids, This is an Adult Playground

It’s a new trend that has been rising for several years now:  “playgrounds” for adults. Sound crazy? It’s true! The City Museum in St. Louis even boasts an adult jungle gym made of two repurposed airplanes, 10-story slides and a rooftop Ferris wheel.

On a smaller scale, outdoor adult playground equipment is focused on fitness, ranging from a few pieces of outdoor gym equipment to entire fitness challenge courses. While the adult playground may not look exactly like its counterpart for children, the fun, excitement, and exercise that playground equipment can bring is not limited to the younger demographic, and the health benefits of lifelong play are too poignant to be ignored.

This isn’t just an American fad. In fact, outdoor gyms are popping up worldwide, from Europe to Asia.

Benefits of Adult Jungle Gyms

What are some of the benefits to you? There are several obvious ones, like no gym membership fees and enjoying the outdoors while getting in shape. We’ve talked at length about the benefits of play and the science of play, however, there is one benefit that we are thinking of, which may not have crossed your mind.

Community Impact of Adult Playground Equipment

The introduction of adult playgrounds and outdoor gyms has had a profound impact on communities worldwide. By offering free, accessible fitness options, these spaces encourage people from all walks of life to engage in physical activity. The proximity of adult playgrounds to children’s play areas fosters a family-friendly environment where parents and children can simultaneously engage in physical activity. The presence of outdoor gyms in public parks enhances the utilization of urban spaces, turning underused areas into vibrant hubs of community life.

Photo Credit: iStock

The Origins of Adult Playgrounds

Outdoor gyms, akin to adult playgrounds, have roots tracing back to the 1960s and 1970s with the proliferation of fitness trails, especially in the US and Europe. These spaces were designed to merge the benefits of outdoor activity with physical fitness, modeled somewhat on children’s playground equipment but tailored for adult use. 

In China, the concept gained momentum as part of a national fitness campaign before the 2008 Summer Olympics, leading to the creation of over 20,000,000 square meters of outdoor gymnasiums. This initiative significantly boosted physical activity participation levels across the country. 

Similarly, in India, outdoor gyms started trending in New Delhi around 2012, addressing the low popularity of traditional gyms by installing 40 sets of outdoor gym equipment in public areas. The UK has also seen a rise in outdoor gyms since 2007, commonly installed in public parks and school playgrounds.

The Current State of Adult Jungle Gyms

The park is no longer a place of physical activity just for the kids. It is an activity that the entire family can take part in. In fact, these outdoor gyms are often placed in close vicinity to the kids’ playground, so parents can keep an eye out while accomplishing a quick workout. As busy as we are, most of us will admit that fitness can fall off the radar, so being able to multitask increases the likelihood of both children and parents getting their 30 minutes of exercise (or more!) in for the day.  In addition, parents are showing children that fitness and exercise are important at every age.

So, the next time you need to get in a quick workout, but don’t want to leave the kids, hit the park to work off the day’s stressors, while the kids burn calories, use their imaginations and make new friends at the playground across the way.

Get Involved

If your local park lacks adult playground equipment, consider taking the initiative to advocate for an adult playground in your community. 

Start by visiting existing adult playgrounds to gather ideas and understand their benefits firsthand. Share your experiences and the potential benefits of adult playgrounds with neighbors, friends, and community members to build support for the project. Engaging with local government officials, participating in community planning meetings, and utilizing social media to spread the word are all effective ways to promote the idea. 

Together, we can transform our parks into inclusive spaces that encourage fitness and fun for all ages.