[ Co-Playgrounds: Not just for Kids ]

Role
M.A. Student Service and Strategic Designer at Aalto University

Outcome
Co-Playgrounds introduced a playground concept for shared play between parents and children, to imagine a playground designed for collaborative play to strengthen parent-child connections.

Co-Playgrounds: Not just for Kids is an innovative concept that promotes collaborative play between adults and children in Helsinki's public playgrounds. Through observations and workshops with parents and children, the team uncovered a trend of minimal participation by parents of young children in playground activities.

Using simple but crucial tools such as chalkboards, chalk, and stencils, the team facilitated creative activities that brought parents and children together at eye level, fostering round-table discussions on parenting and play. This inspired the concept of Co-Playgrounds, where all play equipment is designed for both children and adults to engage in play together.

With the belief that "the best toy a child can have is a parent who gets down on the floor and plays with them," Co-Playgrounds aims to spread collaborative behavior in play, providing children with the gift of meaningful play experiences with their parents.

Aalto University / University Sponsor
Turkka Keinonen / Professor + Course Leader
Luke Feast / Course Assistant Professor
Maija Mäenpää / M.A. Student Collaborative and Industrial Designer
Mengxiao Li / M.A. Student Collaborative and Industrial Designer
Leikkipuisto Arabia / Research Site Host

Collaborations / Role

Location

Helsinki Finland

Year

2016

Tito F. Williams II
Maija Mäenpää
Mengxiao Li

Photo Credits

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Designing Future-ready Creatives: IMAGINE, ACT, IMPACT