It’s crazy to believe but there are close to 2,000 playgrounds here in Berlin. And when I heard this was “a thing” here before moving, I didn’t think anything of it.
Boy, was I surprised. Each and every playground is unique. Some are themed, some quite challenging and some you think “what the”! It’s quite daunting at first since we are used to the playgrounds in the states being built out of plastic or floors being padded with rubber or mulch – you know, safety being first. Here, it’s quite the opposite. It took me a bit to get used to and not follow Annalina every inch of the way. Seeing boulders on the ground or super high climbing nets was intimidating for both her and us at first but we can see now that she’s become more confident, built stamina and has grown little Hercules muscles. She now goes through every playground with no fear and tells herself she can do it while we now sit back and enjoy our coffee (or beer) on the sidelines.
We would have to hit an average of 2-3 playgrounds each day for the next couple years to see all of the playgrounds in Berlin. Since we know that is not possible, we’ve made it quite the task every weekend to pick a new area we haven’t been to or stay around where errands need to be run and map out the best playgrounds that are near. Even with visiting five a week recently now that the weather is nice, we’ve only tackled about 60 so far when it feels like we’ve done so much more.
I’ve been wanting to write about this topic since the day we moved here – but it was the start of winter and playground pictures don’t look as appealing covered in thick jackets, beanies and in snow. Now that it’s summer, what more of an awesome time do it now!
There are a ton of websites dedicated solely to Berlin playgrounds – some articles even featured in the New York Times. There are ones where you can filter by the type of targeted age, challenge level, vicinity, etc. or just other bloggers writing about their own take on these magnificent child sanctuaries. You can’t walk for more than ten minutes without running into one. Just in the blocks that surround our neighborhood, we can count close to ten with one being right in our flat’s courtyard. We’ve created our own map of playgrounds we’ve visited and had to highlight our favorites since they start to blend together (map below). Here are some of our reasons why we’ll never get tired of hunting for them.
CLIMBING NETS
One of three faves that’s usually on our list when we try out new ones. These nets seem to be a standard in most Berlin playgrounds. They are thick ropes that are tied together into this web pyramid shape. With some heights reaching almost 50 feet, you think, how is that possibly safe? And while I convince myself that the weaving will “catch” them if they were to fall, it probably won’t. Ha. However, it’s really fun and such a great challenge – even adults indulge.
OBSTACLE COURSES
Two of three musts on our list. Sometimes one end of the playground to the other is a challenge to get through. And because Lina gives herself an ultimate goal to go through every corner of a new playground we discover, this is great way to do so. Rope bridges, rock climbing walls, balance beams, to name a few.
PING PONG TABLES
I’ve never seen so many in my life – I need to step up my game. People travel with their paddles in the same stroller (or “pram”) they wheel their kids in since there are usually ping pong tables tucked away in the corner within the playground’s area. They are made completely of metal (even the net) and you can find adults indulging while their kids play. Win!
SWINGS
Yet another creative take. The most common are, again, ropes that are tied into a circle shape and harnessed – almost like a circular hammock but super sturdy. Some “regular” swings are even side-by-side and swing tandem where one will swing the other. No parent work there!
THEMED SETS
Not only are each playgrounds already unique in themselves, but it’s also extra appealing when the different structures within the playground tie into a theme.
WATER PLAYGROUNDS
There are separate “Wasserspielplätze” (water playgrounds) where the park is dedicated to soaking kids. A huge open area where there are fun and different ways to spray, trap or collect water.
ZIPLINES
The last “must” on our list. Who doesn’t want to zip line the span of the playground?
Another type of playground we usually don’t go to are the ones designed by kids themselves, ones where adults are not allowed in. These adventure playgrounds “City of Kids” are for children 6-14 years of age. I do have to say they look a little unsafe from the outside with how things are structured but it’s neat to see how creative a child can vision their dream play land to be.
The best part of all with all this playground madness is that it’s free. Can’t beat that entertaining a child. It’s a win-win for all – we get our errands done, we can route for a beer for ourselves on the way home and all we have to say is the magic word “spielplatz” when we get asked the dreaded “Where Are We Going?!”
I sometimes fret that Annalina will forget these awesome adventures we are creating during our stay here in Europe but if there is one thing for sure she’ll remember, it’s the playgrounds.
Map of playgrounds we’ve visited with purple icons highlighted as favorites.
Oh, wow!!! How interesting!