Who would predict a steam punk playground? Penny farthing swings in Oamaru.
When my children were young I knew the locations not only of playgrounds in my city but also those on the way to their grandparents' home some 6 hours distant. Although it has been many years since I have taken a child to a playground I still notice playgrounds and their evolving designs. In New Zealand recently several playgrounds caught my eye.
Dinosaur slide at Ocean Beach in Dunedin, New Zealand.
In Christchurch as part of the post-quake reconstruction children were invited to submit ideas for a new family playground to be "the best playground in the world". The result was the Margaret Mahy Family Playground.
Fun abounds at the Margaret Mahy Family Playground in Christchurch.
The flying fox presents a challenge.
A variety of equipment for healthy play.
Water play opportunities are always welcomed. Canadians, note the palm trees.
Margaret Mahy playground has benches in the shade for accompanying adults.
Oamaru, the steam punk capital of New Zealand, built a steam punk playground at Friendly Bay in 2011. It was a popular destination the day I was there.
Crawling, climbing and sliding opportunities at Oamaru's Friendly Bay steam punk playground.
Volunteers restored the fishing boat Moana as a pirate ship to provide fun at the Friendly Bay playground, Oamaru.