One of the problem of building more challenging/adventure playgrounds for kids ages 8 to 12 is that toddler moms love to foist their kids up on the structures meant for bigger kids. I hated when my kids were in first or second grade and playing on a big playstructure that had a sign that said for ages 5 to 12, moms would let their toddlers climb the equipment too because their kids were oh so coordinated and needed a challenge. It drove my kids away because they didn't want to trample little tiny kids.

Around age 7

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something vaguely pathetic about seeing older kids such as 12 year olds at a playground.

Wow.

In my 40s and I still love playing on playgrounds - just playing in general. I guess I'm not as "cool" as the PP above though.

Glad snotty PP is getting shut down by so many people.

I'm a 37-year-old mom and have never outgrown playgrounds.

Anonymous wrote:There is something vaguely pathetic about seeing older kids such as 12 year olds at a playground.

Wow.

In my 40s and I still love playing on playgrounds - just playing in general. I guess I'm not as "cool" as the PP above though.

Anonymous wrote:There is something vaguely pathetic about seeing older kids such as 12 year olds at a playground.

Look in the mirror if you want to see pathetic.

Anonymous wrote:There is something vaguely pathetic about seeing older kids such as 12 year olds at a playground.

Really? I think it's great, specially when they are playing with their younger siblings. My 13 year old nephew came to visit from abroad and when I took my 8 and 7 year olds to a playground he would come and play with them for hours. He would climb with them and and make obstacle courses. BTW, he is a mature, smart kid that you can have great conversations with and is a soccer star in his team. But he turns to a little kid when he plays with his cousins. He loves them.

^And by playground I mean the swings, slides and stuff.

I don't know that they ever outgrow basketball, baseball, fields, etc.

My oldest would still go to the playground with his little brother (12 & 10). But once the oldest was 13, no more playground and the youngest followed suit. Seemed to happen overnight .

Mine are in middle school now and about once a week they ask to go to Takoma playground with a friend after school. Sometimes they play tag or toss a ball around. The last time they played with the babies. Very sweet. Hope it continues.

Anonymous wrote:I am a mother of 4 children (boys, if it makes a difference) between the ages of 9-15.
I found they lost interest somewhere around 3rd-4th grade.
My youngest never asks to go to the playground anymore, but would probably play if I specifically brought him there.

+1. About 3rd grade, DS stopped wanting to go to the playground. He goes now for specific things if the playground also has a basketball court or baseball field, but not to play on the equipment. In fact, I don't think most of the kids even play on the playground equipment at recess anymore. They play sports, esp. forms of basketball, soccer, etc. Hardly anyone is on the playground equipment at that age.