Urban spaces for children

They look dangerous, but they are fascinating, unique, fun and above all safe. With artistic and design expertise, Monstrum, a Copenhagen-based company, designs and builds themed playgrounds for children according to Danish standards. Standards that allow them to be a little 'dangerous' too. It is believed that through play, children should also experience the idea of danger, within age limits. Every child should have the opportunity to experience acceptable risks for their age as part of stimulation, challenge and control in a foreign environment. Obviously that's climbing, tilted planes, balancing and the like. Basically, these are urban spaces where kids are simultaneously socializing and doing physical activities. The creativity and complexity of play spaces also exposes them to degrees of risk, minor ones obviously. This exposure can be beneficial because it satisfies their curiosity, tests the limits of their courage and confronts them with risk and its consequences in a controlled space. It's an exciting approach to children's play with obvious developmental outcomes socially, intellectually and physically.

All products are made of wood in their workshop in Copenhagen. They use Robinia, a very strong type of wood whose characteristics make it resist impregnation for 25-40 years in contact with the ground.

It's also a plea for going up the slide backwards, getting your clothes dirty, running without fear of sweating and the freedom to test your limits in the spaces that are meant for them.