Playgrounds used to play fast and loose with kids’ safety … which was half the fun anyway.
They’re considerably safer today, although some anthropologists argue there are developmental benefits to playing on challenging structures, like those of the past.
“Generally, researchers have found that risky play helps children build resilience and confidence, skills that resonate throughout life,” said Zane Thayer, an associate professor of anthropology at Dartmouth College, in a 2024 report from the school.
