Why Idaho Playgrounds Today Can’t Compare to Old Ones

Twin Falls is home to some amazing playgrounds. If you look throughout the Gem State, there are some good ones throughout the state even. Some are basic, and others are more unique, but the problem is that none of them seem to be as good as when we were kids. Perhaps they are safer, but is that better for the kids of today? Kids today are missing out on the playgrounds of yesterday and what they offered. Here is why playgrounds today are not as good as when we were kids and why some of them should be brought back.

Playgrounds and Parks in the Magic Valley

Playgrounds today are safer than the ones many of us grew up on. There is no debating that, but with these safer playgrounds, come some flaws. They are mostly all the same. Most playgrounds today look like they were made out of pull-apart and pop-on plastic pieces. A child could design a playground with the right toys. Many of the playgrounds are far too similar as well, in that they offer the same things. Drive around and look at the playgrounds in the area, and other than the location and name of the park, they are mostly identical in make. There isn't the variety that there use to be when we were kids. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? 

Old Playgrounds in Idaho

Back in the day playgrounds had tire swings, were made out of metal, and wood, and were thrilling. Kids today are missing out on merry-go-rounds, the thrill of getting sick on a tired swing or getting to the top of a jungle gym to jump down into the middle of it. The one thing we can agree that is better today is that kids today will never have to suffer the feeling of burning flesh on a warm summer day down a metal slide. Nobody misses that feeling. Each playground was unique and different and where you went, determined what you would play on and what you would do. You would beg your parents to drive to the other side of town for a certain park. 

Get our free mobile app

While playgrounds today might be safer, they don't teach kids the importance of things we learned like balance, toughness, and how many people can fit on a tire swing. They are still fun, but not to the extent of what they could be. There are still some hidden gems around the state that have old playground equipment, but they are few and far between. Keep your eyes open and if you find one, let your kids play on it so they can have some real playground fun.