By: Christina Hughey
Imagine kids designing their own playgrounds. What kind of things do you think they would include? A giant slide? Tunnels for days? How unique these playgrounds would be! Although not as common, it has been done before and its possible for kids to help with the design work! What a magnificent learning experience too.
There are multiple ways kids can help with designing the playground. Kids can help with the brainstorming process, they can help with figuring out the layout, help pick out colors and materials and more. Its important to ask kids questions that make them think outside of the box. If you don’t, they will give very generic feedback and maybe not show their full creativity when answering the question. A question like “What would you like to see on your playground” just won’t work. Instead ask questions like “What’s the scariest thing you have ever done?” “What’s the highest you have ever climbed” “If you could be anywhere right now where would you be?” These questions will really get the ball rolling and help more with the design process! Kids will feel proud to have helped design the playground. This will not only encourage creativity but also will encourage more exercise in the great outdoors!