Children in Germany have it all. Well, at least when it comes to outdoor play areas. In the US, I grew up with monkey bars, seesaws, and a two-person swing here and there. But in Germany, a standard playground might feature a zip line, a giant wooden pirate ship, a three-story jungle gym, a high-ropes course, and at least three types of swings. Such architecture might seem risky to some parents, but it only reflects the general attitude toward child-rearing here.
Kids are encouraged to walk themselves to school from an early age, and they’re taught to take advantage of fresh air and actively play every day (even when the weather isn’t so great). I’m constantly telling my friends and family with kids that Berlin is such a child-friendly city in large part due to the great parks and playgrounds.
