The Future of Playgrounds: What Research Tells Us About Designing for All Ages

Play is one of the best investments we can make in public health. It gets people moving, connecting, and spending more time outdoors. But as research shows, play isn’t just for children. Teens, adults, and seniors are using playgrounds too - and how we design these spaces matters.

This perspective comes from Meghan Talarowski, founder and executive director of Studio Ludo, a women-led nonprofit dedicated to building better play through research, advocacy, and design. Meghan holds degrees in architecture and landscape architecture, is a certified playground safety inspector, and a licensed landscape architect. Her work has shaped the largest dataset on play behavior in the world, and her insights are transforming how we think about play spaces.

At Percussion Play, we believe that outdoor musical instruments are a vital part of this conversation, creating inclusive, intergenerational spaces that support the health and happiness of everyone.

Regardless of age, ability, or background, everyone deserves a great place to play. This is the guiding principle behind Studio Ludo, whose mission is to build better play through science and design. For over a decade, Meghan and her team have studied how people play through three major research projects:

• The National Study of Playgrounds (USA)
• The London Study of Playgrounds
• The New York City Study of Play Features and Value

Together, these studies represent the largest dataset on play behavior in the world, comprising over 60,000 people across 100 play environments in the U.S. and U.K.

What the Research Reveals

Studio Ludo’s findings are eye-opening:

• Half of playground users are not children, but teens, adults, and seniors.
• Innovative playgrounds attract twice as many visitors and generate three times more physical activity.
• Location and environment matter more than any single feature - spaces near homes and surrounded by mature trees see the highest use.
• Facilities designed for older users significantly increase engagement.

These insights challenge the traditional view of playgrounds as “just for kids.” Instead, they emphasize the importance of inclusive, intergenerational spaces that welcome everyone to participate.

At Percussion Play, we see outdoor musical instruments as a natural extension of this research. Music is universal - it transcends age, ability, and language. Installing instruments in parks and playgrounds creates opportunities for:

• Intergenerational play: Grandparents can make music alongside grandchildren.
• Inclusive engagement: Instruments are accessible to people with physical or cognitive challenges.
• Social connection: Music draws people together, fostering community and reducing isolation.

Just as Studio Ludo advocates for innovative design, musical play adds creativity and joy to public spaces, encouraging movement and interaction in ways that traditional equipment cannot.

Designing for the Future

As climate change reshapes our cities, playground design must adapt. Studio Ludo emphasizes climate resilience - shade, cooling strategies, and materials that make play safe during hotter months. Outdoor musical instruments complement these goals:

• They can be installed in shaded areas or integrated into natural landscapes.
• They require minimal maintenance and remain playable year-round.
• They encourage use during cooler times of day, supporting extended hours and flexible play.

Both Studio Ludo and Percussion Play share a vision of play as essential civic infrastructure - spaces that promote health, happiness, and equity. By combining research-driven design with creative elements, such as music, we can create parks and playgrounds that truly welcome everyone.

This blog draws on research and insights from Meghan Talarowski and Studio Ludo, whose mission is to build better play through science and design. Learn more about their work at Studio Ludo.

Listen to the Podcast:

The Future of Playgrounds: Inclusive Design for Every Generation: Join Meghan Talarowski as she shares her research and vision for inclusive, intergenerational play spaces. The episode also features Tory Phinney, a playground designer at Cobequid Consulting in Nova Scotia, who discusses innovative design approaches, and Elizabeth Kaufman from the City of Auburn, Alabama, who describes their forward-thinking park that integrates inclusive play and creates a genuinely welcoming environment for all ages and abilities.

Ready to bring music into your next playground project?

Explore our range of outdoor musical instruments and discover how they can transform your space into an inclusive, intergenerational hub for play and connection.