top of page
Writer's pictureSketchplay Playground Architects

Discover The Top 10 Playground Designs In The World. By Sketchplay Playground Architects

Updated: Sep 13





Table of Contents



Introduction


At Sketchplay, we believe that playgrounds are magical places where imagination takes flight and lifelong memories are made. We’ve explored the globe to bring you the top ten playgrounds that inspire creativity, joy, and adventure. Join us on this journey to discover what makes these playgrounds truly exceptional. Lets take a look and dive into the worlds greatest playground to see where the future of playgrounds is going and get some inspiration for the coming playgrounds.


1. Wollman Rink Playground, Central Park, New York City, USA


Why It's Remarkable: Nestled in the heart of Central Park, the playground boasts breathtaking views of the New York City skyline. Play Features: Children can delight in climbing frames, swings, and sand-filled play zones. Relaxation Areas: Parents have the comfort of resting on benches and under shade, all while attentively monitoring their children.

Wollman Rink Playground in Central Park with views of the NYC skyline, featuring climbing frames, swings, sand play areas, and shaded benches for parents
The Wollman Rink Playground in Central Park offers stunning New York City skyline views, climbing frames, swings, and sand play zones for kids, while parents can enjoy shaded benches for relaxation and supervision


2. Princess Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens, London, UK


What Makes It Special: Taking cues from the enchanting universe of Peter Pan, this playground offers a genuine adventure experience, featuring a massive pirate ship at its core. Play Features: Interactive sensory paths, teepees, and a sandy area offer boundless entertainment. Relaxation Areas: Numerous seating spots and a spacious central lawn ideal for picnics are available. The visually striking setting can transport visitors to a deserted island, complete with sand and a lifelike finish on the ship.


Princess Diana Memorial Playground with a pirate ship, sensory paths, teepees, sandy play area, and central lawn
Inspired by Peter Pan, this playground features a grand pirate ship, sensory paths, teepees, and a sandy area. Relax on the central lawn or seating spots, all set against a captivating, island-like backdrop.


3. Blaxland Riverside Park, Sydney, Australia


Why It's Amazing: This vibrant and spacious playground boasts colorful, modern equipment with beautiful river views. Play Elements: Giant slides, climbing nets, and water play areas are a hit with kids. Rest Spots: Numerous picnic spots and shaded areas make it easy for families to relax.


Blaxland Riverside Park featuring giant slides, climbing nets, water play areas, and shaded picnic spots with river views
A vibrant playground with giant slides, climbing nets, and water play areas, all set against stunning river views. Enjoy picnic spots and shaded areas for family relaxation


4. Tire Park, Tokyo, Japan


What Makes It Special: An unconventional and imaginative play area constructed entirely from reused tires. Features for Play: Tire climbing structures, swings, and tunnels create distinctive play opportunities. Relaxation Areas: Shaded spaces and seating provide parents with a place to relax. Fascinating artistic representations of Godzilla using tires.


Tire Park in Tokyo with tire climbing structures, swings, tunnels, shaded seating areas, and artistic tire representations of Godzilla
An inventive playground crafted from reused tires, featuring climbing structures, swings, and tunnels. Shaded seating areas offer relaxation, with artistic tire representations of Godzilla adding a unique touch


5. Belleville Park Playground, Paris, France


Situated on a hillside and nestled in the forest, this playground is cherished for its surprise element upon arrival. The stunning views of Paris from the playground provide an added wow factor and a delightful experience for parents, offering a breath of fresh air. It successfully blends natural surroundings with imaginative design, featuring climbing walls, slides, and water features that ensure endless entertainment for children. Moreover, the playground offers numerous benches and green areas for picnics and relaxation.


Belleville Park Playground in Paris with natural surroundings, climbing walls, slides, water features, panoramic city views, and picnic areas
Nestled on a hillside in a forest, Belleville Park Playground blends natural surroundings with imaginative play features like climbing walls, slides, and water elements. Stunning views of Paris enhance the experience, with ample benches and green areas for relaxation and picnics

6. Takino Suzuran Hillside National Park, Sapporo, Japan


Situated amidst lush hills and colorful flowers, the playground appears as a magical paradise, evoking images of Shangri-La, with its whimsical variety of environments that set it apart. The Play Elements feature a diverse range of equipment, including slides integrated into the hillside, swings, and nature trails. Inside, there is a large nest-shaped play structure where children can immerse themselves in the canopy of the knitting garden! Rest Spots provide ample seating and picnic areas for visitors to unwind and enjoy the picturesque surroundings.


akino Suzuran Hillside National Park playground with hillside slides, swings, and a nest-shaped play structure in a scenic, flower-filled setting
A magical playground set in lush hills with hillside slides, swings, and a nest-shaped structure. Enjoy nature trails and picnic spots amid stunning scenery


7. Granville Island Water Park, Vancouver, Canada


What Makes It Special: Children require water to connect with the natural elements of our world. While we have previously enjoyed adventurous playgrounds set amidst the rugged hills, featuring high-speed swings and steep slides leading into caves, our latest destination is Canada, where we will discover the fascinating world of water and its ability to create wonderful play areas for young ones. This lively water park showcases vibrant installations and offers picturesque views of Granville Island. Interactive Features: Water sprays, fountains, and slides are ideal for refreshing oneself on warm days. Relaxation Areas: Shaded picnic tables and grassy lawns are designated spots where families can unwind.



Granville Island Water Park featuring colorful water sprays, fountains, and slides with scenic views of Granville Island. Shaded areas and grassy lawns are available for relaxation
A lively water park with vibrant installations, including sprays and fountains. Enjoy picturesque views, shaded picnic tables, and grassy lawns for relaxation


8. Parque Gulliver, Valencia, Spain


What Makes It Special: Shaped like a colossal sculpture of Gulliver, this playground stands out for its distinctiveness and visual appeal. Children are thrilled at the mere sight of Gulliver, prompting them to eagerly rush towards the play area. Once there, they become engrossed in a realm of play, a common sight at this playground. Features for Play: The playground boasts slides, climbing ropes, and concealed pathways that add excitement to exploration. Relaxation Areas: Adjacent benches and spacious open areas provide spots for relaxation and picnicking.


Parque Gulliver in Valencia, Spain, a playground designed as a giant Gulliver sculpture with slides, climbing ropes, and hidden pathways. Includes benches and open spaces for relaxation
unique playground shaped like Gulliver, featuring slides, climbing ropes, and hidden pathways. Enjoy adjacent benches and open areas for relaxation and picnics

9. Parc de la Villette, Paris, France


What Makes It Exceptional: This playground is a marvel of modern design, blending art with play through innovative concepts and artistic installations. It offers a variety of unique play spaces with contemporary patterns and geometric forms, loved by children. The playground features multiple zones for limitless play opportunities, encouraging creativity. Play Features: Interactive play zones, climbing structures, and water elements cater to children of all ages. Relaxation Areas: Extensive lawns and seating spots provide ideal settings for unwinding and socializing.



Parc de la Villette in Paris, France, showcasing a modern playground with artistic designs, climbing structures, and water elements. Includes extensive lawns and seating areas
A playground that merges modern art with play, featuring innovative designs and interactive zones. Enjoy extensive lawns and seating for relaxation and socializing


10. City Museum, St. Louis, Missouri, USA


What Makes It Impressive: This diverse combination of playground and museum elements results in a captivating fusion of a contemporary playground using recycled architectural and industrial objects to form distinctive play areas. The breathtaking views and eerie ambiance, coupled with limitless imaginative play scenarios for children, make it a genuine source of inspiration in the realm of playgrounds. Play Features: The presence of slides, tunnels, and climbing structures both inside and outside encourages kids to engage in exploration. Relaxation Areas: Abundant indoor seating zones and outdoor spaces provide places for rest and rejuvenation.


City Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, blending playground and museum elements with recycled architectural and industrial objects. Features slides, tunnels, and climbing structures with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas
An imaginative fusion of playground and museum, featuring recycled architectural elements and unique play structures. Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating for rest and rejuvenation

Conclusion


Sketchplay emphasizes thorough research and industry exploration to draw inspiration from the world’s most exceptional playgrounds. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of design to create innovative and groundbreaking play spaces. By examining the top ten contemporary playgrounds, we aim to inspire you by highlighting the key elements that contribute to their success and appeal to all ages. These exemplary playgrounds demonstrate how thoughtful design and creative vision can transform play areas into memorable and iconic spaces cherished by everyone.



FAQ´s



What´s The Best Surface For a Playground?

What Are The Soft Materials For a Playground

What is the best material for a children´s play area

What Is the Best Base For a Children´s Playground?

What is the best loose material for a playground?

Why is plastic beneficial for playgrounds?



Comments


bottom of page