The History of Fun!

Let’s go back in time. You’re a kid living in Boston in 1880. It’s a hot summer day. What should you and your friends do? You could play baseball in an alley with an old broomstick. You could play tag in an empty lot.

But be careful! Horses pulling a carriage could speed around the corner. Smelly piles of garbage could make you sick. Oh, and there are rats everywhere.

You might be thinking: This doesn’t sound like fun. But there’s nowhere else to play. That’s because playgrounds don’t exist yet. 

But that’s about to change. And when it does, being a kid 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. What should you and your friends do? You could play baseball in an alley with an old broomstick. You could play tag in an empty lot.

But be careful! Carriages pulled by horses might run by. Smelly piles of garbage might make you sick. And there are rats everywhere.

You might be thinking that this doesn’t sound like fun. But there’s nowhere else to play. That’s because there are no playgrounds.

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

In the late 1800s, American cities like Boston were growing quickly. Many families were moving from the countryside to cities. Kids in the country had places to play in forests and fields. 

But in crowded cities, there wasn’t a lot of space to play. There were no fields to run through or trees to climb. Parks were rare. Kids had no choice but to play their games of tag or baseball in the busy, dirty city streets.

Then, in 1885, a doctor living in Boston named Marie Zakrzewska [zak-SHEV-skah] visited Germany. She saw something that shocked her: young kids laughing and playing in giant piles of sand called “sand gardens.”

A place to play just for kids? Genius! Dr. Zakrzewska knew that American kids needed these sand gardens too. Shortly after her trip, America’s first sand garden opened in Boston. Kids went wild digging tunnels and building towers in the sand.

As more sand gardens appeared in Boston, city leaders added equipment for older kids to play on. In 1889, the city opened its first “outdoor gymnasium.” It had swings, ladders, and seesaws. One of America’s first playgrounds was born. 

In the late 1800s, American cities like Boston were growing quickly. Many families were moving from the countryside to cities. Kids in the country could play in forests and fields.  

But there wasn’t a lot of space to play in crowded cities. There were no fields to run through. There were no trees to climb. There weren’t many parks. Kids had to play their games of tag or baseball in the busy, dirty city streets.

In 1885, a doctor named Marie Zakrzewska [zak-SHEV-skah] was living in Boston. She visited Germany. She saw something. It shocked her. Young kids were laughing and playing in giant piles of sand. These were called “sand gardens.” 

A place to play, just for kids? Genius! Dr. Zakrzewska knew that American kids needed these sand gardens too. Soon after her trip, America’s first sand garden opened. It was in Boston. Kids were so excited to play in the sand. They dug tunnels and built towers. 

In Boston, more sand gardens were built. City leaders added equipment. Older kids played on it. In 1889, the city opened its first “outdoor gymnasium.” It had swings, ladders, and seesaws. It was one of America’s first playgrounds. 

Before long, cities and towns across the country were building playgrounds. The equipment became fancier. Kids could spin on merry-go-rounds. They could walk on metal beams. They could fly down metal slides. What fun!

But these new playgrounds were also hazardous. Parts of some jungle gyms were 16 feet tall. The ground below was hard as a rock. So if you fell . . . ouch! Plus, some of the equipment had sharp corners. Kids often came home with bumped heads—or even broken bones!

Finally, by the 1980s, many playgrounds started to improve. Corners were rounded. Soft materials replaced hard ones. So if kids fell, they didn’t get hurt as badly. Playgrounds were now safer than ever!

Before long, cities and towns across the country were building playgrounds. The equipment became fancier. Kids could spin on merry-go-rounds. They could walk on metal beams. They could fly down metal slides. What fun!

But these new playgrounds were also hazardous. Parts of some jungle gyms were 16 feet tall. The ground below was hard as a rock. If you fell . . . ouch! Plus, some of the equipment had sharp corners. Kids often came home with bumped heads or even broken bones!

By the 1980s, many playgrounds became safer. Sharp corners were now round. The equipment was softer. If kids fell, they didn’t get hurt as badly. Playgrounds were now safer than ever!

Today there are tens of thousands of playgrounds across the country. You might have memories of being on a playground, flying high on the swings or sharing secrets on the jungle gym.

And playgrounds keep getting better. Experts say that future playgrounds will be more inclusive. That means they’ll meet the needs of all children, including those with disabilities. 

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

Today there are thousands of playgrounds across the country. You might have memories of being on a playground, swinging on the swings or sharing secrets on the jungle gym.

And playgrounds keep getting better. Experts say that future playgrounds will be more inclusive. That means they’ll meet the needs of all children. That will include children with disabilities. 

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

A few years ago, third-grader Lucas Fritsche saw that his friend Arawn couldn’t really play on the playground. Arawn uses a wheelchair. Lucas wanted to make an inclusive playground for Arawn and all kids—including himself.

Lucas has autism, a condition that affects how a person learns and communicates. Touching, smelling, or tasting things helps him focus. But the slides on this playground were too smooth. And there was nowhere to go to calm down if he felt overwhelmed. 

Lucas shared his idea for a new playground with his principal and the town mayor. He gave speeches and raised money. In 2021, Lucas & Friends Backyard Adventures Playground opened! It has a tree house with a ramp for kids who use wheelchairs. There’s a slide with grooved textures that creates a sensory experience.

Lucas shares more about his playground below.

A few years ago, third-grader Lucas Fritsche saw that his friend Arawn couldn’t really play on the playground. Arawn uses a wheelchair. Lucas wanted to make an inclusive playground for Arawn and all kids, including himself.

Lucas has autism, a condition that affects how a person learns and communicates. Touching, smelling, or tasting things helps him focus. But the slides on this playground were too smooth. And there wasn’t a place he could go to calm down if he felt overwhelmed.

Lucas shared his idea for a new playground. He told his principal and town mayor. He gave speeches and raised money. In 2021, Lucas & Friends Backyard Adventures Playground opened! It has a tree house with a ramp for kids who use wheelchairs. There’s a slide with bumpy textures. It creates a sensory experience.

Lucas shares more about his playground below.

Lucas: It didn’t have many ramps, wheelchair swings, or sensory activities for kids who like to play with their hands (like me!).

Lucas: It didn’t have many ramps, wheelchair swings, or sensory activities for kids who like to play with their hands (like me!).

L: It’s for all kids! It brings kids together so no one is left out. 

L: It’s for all kids! It brings kids together so no one is left out. 

L: Opening the playground! There were a lot of kids there. I remember cameras going off! 

L: Opening the playground! There were a lot of kids there. I remember cameras going off! 

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

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