A playground is an outdoor area designed for children to play, usually equipped with swings, slides, climbing structures, and other equipment. Most schools have playgrounds where students can run around during recess, and many neighborhoods have public playgrounds in parks where families gather.

Playgrounds give children space to exercise, practice physical skills, and play together. Learning to navigate a jungle gym builds coordination and confidence. Taking turns on the swings teaches patience and fairness. Making up games with other kids develops creativity and social skills.

Modern playgrounds often have soft surfaces like rubber or wood chips underneath the equipment to cushion falls. Some playgrounds include separate areas for younger and older children, with smaller equipment for toddlers and more challenging structures for bigger kids. Playgrounds balance safety with adventure, giving children chances to test themselves, take reasonable risks, and discover what they can do.

The word can also describe any place where people experiment, practice, or develop their skills. A wealthy neighborhood might be called a playground for the rich. A computer programmer might describe a new piece of software as their playground for testing ideas.