Playgrounds are spaces for play, creativity and movement. But behind their colourful and fun appearance, there is careful planning where geometry plays an essential role. Shapes, angles and symmetries not only contribute to the aesthetic design, but are also key to the safety, functionality and cognitive stimulation of children.
Almost all of us have been to a playground, either as children, parents or companions. We see climbing frames, slides, swings and nets. However, we rarely stop to think about the shapes that make them up: curved surfaces, cylindrical tubes, parallel bars, square or trapezoidal platforms. These structures are not there by chance: their design responds to very specific geometrical criteria.
Park designers use geometry for several reasons:
- Smooth curves and rounded corners: these are prioritised to avoid dangerous impact points. Slides, for example, rely on concave curves that control body acceleration (Arredondo, 2017).
- Cylinders and tubes: these are used in tunnels or walkways because they allow views in all directions, avoid blind spots and reduce dangerous edges.
- Regular polygons: many platforms are hexagonal or square in shape to allow modular connection with other structures such as nets, stairs or ramps.
- Controlled angles: access ramps, climbs or slides use specific inclinations to ensure safety according to the age of the user.
- Symmetry and repetition: modular structures repeat geometric patterns, which generates visual balance, ease of assembly and a perception of order that helps the child to anticipate movements.
Even the spatial layout obeys principles of spatial geometry: it is planned to ensure visibility, minimum safety distances and circulation routes that do not interfere with other areas.
To see in a didactic way how geometric figures are present in the creation of playgrounds, you can watch the following educational video:
This audiovisual resource playfully reinforces geometric concepts present in children's play environments.
Geometry in playgrounds demonstrates how mathematics can be at the service of everyday life. Its application ensures that elements are safe, inclusive and stimulating. It also allows playgrounds to be designed to suit different ages, physical abilities and urban contexts.
Furthermore, geometric structures encourage cognitive and psychomotor development. Children face spatial challenges: climbing, turning, traversing, balancing... Each game is also an opportunity to learn, and the geometry of the environment conditions the quality of that experience.
In short, the geometry in these spaces goes beyond the functional: it builds worlds where learning through play is possible, and where mathematics becomes, without anyone noticing, part of the game.
References:
Arredondo, M. (2017). Diseño y seguridad en parques infantiles: principios geométricos y ergonómicos. Revista de Diseño Urbano, 12(1), 45–58.
Jiménez, L., & Torres, S. (2020). Geometría para la infancia: elementos espaciales en áreas de juego. Ediciones Lúdica.
Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. (2011). Normativa de seguridad para parques infantiles. Recuperado de https://www.sanidad.gob.es/seguridadParques
ISO. (2018). Norma UNE-EN 1176 sobre equipamiento de áreas de juego. https://www.iso.org/standard/62441.html
Pocoyó. (2022). Conoce las figuras - Construir un parque | Meet the Shapes [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaagREv9-2I
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