The History of Fun!

Imagine you’re a kid living in Boston in 1880. It’s a hot summer afternoon, and you’ve just spent hours selling newspapers. You’re sweating in your thick, itchy clothes. Your voice is hoarse from shouting the news to passersby. 

Time for a break! What should you and your friends do? You could head to an alleyway and play baseball with an old broom handle. Or you could shoot marbles on a street curb. You could even go play tag in the empty construction site around the block.

But be careful! A horse-drawn carriage could clatter around the corner at any minute. The steaming piles of garbage littering the streets could make you sick. Oh, and watch your step—there are rats EVERYWHERE.

Doesn’t sound like much fun? Well, you have nowhere else to play. That’s because playgrounds don’t exist yet. That’s right—there isn’t one playground in the entire U.S.

But that’s about to change. And when it does, childhood will never be the same.

Let’s go back in time. You’re a kid living in Boston in 1880. It’s a hot summer day. You’ve spent hours selling newspapers. Your clothes are thick and itchy, making you sweat. You’re losing your voice from shouting the news.

Time for a break! What should you and your friends do? You could play baseball in an alley with an old broom. You could shoot marbles on the street. You could even play tag in an empty lot.

But be careful! Horses pulling a carriage could speed around the corner at any minute. Smelly piles of garbage could make you sick. Oh, and watch out—there are rats EVERYWHERE.

Are you thinking this doesn’t sound like fun? Well, there’s nowhere else to play. That’s because playgrounds don’t exist yet. That’s right—there isn’t one playground in the entire U.S.

But that’s about to change. And when it does, being a kid will change forever.

In the late 1800s, American cities like Boston were growing quickly. Farmers had moved from the countryside for higher-paying jobs in city factories. Immigrants had moved from other countries to find better opportunities in America.

For most kids growing up in these crowded cities, life was not easy. Many had to work long hours at jobs to help their families earn money. And when they did find time to play, there were no fields to run through or trees to climb. Public parks were rare. Kids had no choice but to squeeze in their games of tag and baseball on the busy, grimy city streets.

Leaders in Boston and other big cities were worried. More and more evidence showed that kids needed to play outside in the fresh air to grow into healthy adults. 

What could be done to make playtime in the city safer?

In the late 1800s, American cities like Boston were growing. To make more money, farmers had moved to the city for jobs in factories. Immigrants had left homes in other countries for a better life in America.

Kids growing up in these cities did not have an easy time. Many had to work long hours to earn money for their families. When they did get a break, there were no fields to run through or trees to climb. Parks were rare. Kids had no choice but to play their games on the busy, dirty city streets.

The city leaders were worried. Experts said that kids needed to play outside to grow up healthy.

How could they make playtime in the city safer?

The answer would come from halfway around the world. 

In 1885, a doctor from Boston named Marie Zakrzewska [zak-SHEV-ska] saw something unusual on a trip to Germany. In city parks, young kids were joyfully playing in giant piles of sand. The sand piles were known in Germany as “sand gardens.” 

A special space to play? Just for kids? Genius! Dr. Zakrzewska knew right away that these sand gardens could be popular in America too.

And she was right. A few months after her trip, America’s first sand garden opened in Boston. It was an instant hit. Kids went wild in the sand: digging tunnels, building towers, burying treasure. 

More sand gardens soon opened across Boston. And their success gave city leaders an idea. Why not add gym equipment for older kids to play on? 

In 1889, the city opened its first “outdoor gymnasium” with swings, ladders, and seesaws. Soon the new gymnasium was filled with the laughter of happy kids.

Just like that, one of America’s first playgrounds was born. 

The answer would come from far away. In 1885, a doctor from Boston named Marie Zakrzewska [zak-SHEV-ska] visited Germany. She saw something strange. In city parks, young kids were joyfully playing in giant piles of sand called “sand gardens.”

A special place to play? Just for kids? Amazing! Dr. Zakrzewska knew right away that American kids needed these sand gardens too. And she was right. A few months after her trip, America’s first sand garden opened in Boston. It was a big hit. Kids went wild in the sand! They dug tunnels and built towers.

Soon, more sand gardens appeared  in Boston. Then city leaders had an  idea. Why not add gym equipment for older kids to play on?

In 1889, the city opened its first “outdoor gymnasium” with swings, ladders, and seesaws. Soon the new gym was filled with kids laughing and playing.

One of America’s first playgrounds was born. 

Before long, other cities started building their own playgrounds. The craze spread outside cities too. By 1909, there were more than 1,500 playgrounds in schoolyards and parks from coast to coast. 

As playgrounds became more popular, the equipment became fancier and more exciting. Kids could whiz around on merry-go-rounds. They could balance on towering metal beams high in the sky. They could race each other up and down gleaming metal slides. Wheeeeee!

Before long, other cities started building their own playgrounds. And then the idea spread to towns in the country. By the early 1900s, there were more than 1,500 playgrounds in the U.S.

As playgrounds became more popular, their equipment got fancier. Kids could spin around on merry-go-rounds. They could walk on metal beams. They could race up and down gleaming metal slides. Wow!

But these new, thrilling playgrounds were also dangerous.

Jungle gyms could tower as high as 15 feet in the air. And the ground below was nearly always rock-hard. So if you took a tumble . . . ouch! Plus, much of the early equipment was made from metal pipes with sharp corners. Kids often ran home crying with broken bones and bumped heads—or worse.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that most playgrounds started to become safer. You can still see those safety improvements today. Corners are more rounded. Squishier materials have replaced hard surfaces. Studies show that playgrounds are safer than they’ve ever been.

But these new, exciting playgrounds were also dangerous.

Some jungle gyms were 15 feet tall. The ground below was hard as a rock. So if you fell . . . ouch! Plus, the metal pipes used for the equipment had sharp corners. Kids often came home crying with broken bones and bumped heads.

Finally, in the 1970s, playgrounds started to become safer. Now, corners are more rounded. Soft materials have replaced hard ones. So if kids fall, they don’t get hurt as badly. Playgrounds are safer than they’ve ever been.

Today playing on the playground is a classic part of being a kid in America. There are tens of thousands of playgrounds across the country. Many of your favorite memories probably were formed on the playground—from being pushed on the swings as a small child to sharing secrets with friends on the jungle gym.

Your local playground is still meant to be a safe space to play, like Dr. Zakrzewska imagined when she brought sand gardens to America more than 100 years ago. But experts now know that playgrounds are also important for kids’ development. 

Swinging from jungle gyms helps you grow muscles. Mastering the monkey bars helps you learn to overcome challenges. Standing in a long line for the slide teaches you social skills, like sharing and waiting—and maybe even how to meet new friends.

“Kids are learning many skills on a playground—they just don’t realize it,” explains Tina Stanton-Chapman, a professor who researches child development and playgrounds. 

So what’s next for playgrounds? Experts like Stanton-Chapman say that future playgrounds will be more inclusive. That means they’ll consider the needs of all kids, including kids with disabilities. 

After all, as history has shown us, every kid needs a space to play. 

Today playgrounds are a classic part of a kid’s life in America. There are tens of thousands of playgrounds across the country. Many of your best memories probably come from time spent on a playground, flying high on the swings  or sharing secrets with friends on the jungle gym.

Playgrounds are meant to be a safe place for kids to play, just like the sand gardens that came to America years ago. But experts now know that playgrounds keep kids healthy, helping their development. 

Swinging from the jungle gym makes you strong.  Monkey bars teach you to keep going even when your arms are sore. The long line for the slide teaches you how to share and wait.  

“Kids are learning many skills on a playground—they just don’t realize it,” says Tina Stanton-Chapman. She is a professor who studies child development.

So what’s next for playgrounds? Experts say that future playgrounds will be more inclusive. That means they’ll meet the needs of all kids, even kids with disabilities. 

After all, every kid needs a safe place to play. 

When Lucas Fritsche was in third grade, his classroom had a perfect view of his school’s playground. One day, he was looking out the window while sharpening a pencil. That’s when he noticed that one of his friends, Arawn, who uses a wheelchair, couldn’t enjoy much of the school’s playground. And that gave Lucas an idea: He could help build an inclusive playground that all kids could play on for his community in Perryville, Missouri. 

He brought his idea to his mom, and then to his teacher and his school’s principal. Eventually, even his town’s mayor heard about it! Everyone loved the idea. But there was a problem: It would take a lot of money to build the playground.

Lucas didn’t let that stop him. He gave speeches and helped run fundraisers. Finally, in October 2021, Lucas & Friends Backyard Adventures Playground opened. It has a tree house with a ramp that kids who use wheelchairs can access and a textured slide for kids with sensory disorders, like Lucas, who is autistic.

To some, it may look like just a playground. But to many kids, it’s a special place. In the interview below, Lucas explains why.

When Lucas Fritsche was in third grade, his classroom looked out on the school playground. One day, he was staring out the window. He saw that his friend Arawn, who uses a wheelchair, couldn’t really play on the playground. And that gave Lucas an idea. He wanted to make an inclusive playground that all kids could play on.

He told his idea to his mom and to his school principal. Then he told his town mayor in Perryville, Missouri.  Everyone loved the idea, but there was a problem. Lucas’s plan would take a lot of money.

Lucas didn’t let that stop him. He gave speeches and raised money. Finally, in 2021, Lucas & Friends Backyard Adventures Playground opened. It has a tree house with a ramp for kids who use wheelchairs. It has a special slide for kids with sensory disorders, like Lucas, who is autistic.

To some, it may look like just a playground. But in the interview below, Lucas explains why it’s special.

What problems were you trying to solve with your playground?

Our old playground didn’t have ramps or many activities for kids like me who like to play with stuff with their hands.

Who is your playground for?

It’s for all kids! It brings kids together, meaning no one can be left out. That’s why I always say, “Let’s all play together.”

What was the most exciting moment for you?

The biggest moment for me was opening the playground. There were lots of kids there. I remember cameras going off! 

What’s your favorite piece of equipment on the playground?

Right now, it’s the tree house. When I was a kid, I wished for a tree house in my backyard.

How does it feel to see kids use your playground?

It feels good because I know it will always be there. I feel like it’s something to be proud of.

What advice would you give to kids who want to make a change?

If you think you can do it, try your best and never give up!

^{Interview edited for clarity and length.}

What problems were you trying to solve with your playground?

Our old playground didn’t have ramps or many activities for kids like me who like to play with stuff with their hands.

Who is your playground for?

It’s for all kids! It brings kids together, meaning no one can be left out. That’s why I always say, “Let’s all play together.”

What was the most exciting moment for you?

The biggest moment for me was opening the playground. There were lots of kids there. I remember cameras going off! 

What’s your favorite piece of equipment on the playground?

Right now, it’s the tree house. When I was a kid, I wished for a tree house in my backyard.

How does it feel to see kids use your playground?

It feels good because I know it will always be there. I feel like it’s something to be proud of.

What advice would you give to kids who want to make a change?

If you think you can do it, try your best and never give up!

^{Interview edited for clarity and length.}