Traveling Buckets and Builder Frames, Grassroots Playscapes, Hawaii

I like the bucket 'transporter' shown by Grassroots Playscapes of Honolulu, Hawaii. They also have an interesting constructible 'builder frame' featuring  slats that can be assembled to pre-drilled holes in a climbing frame, and held by removable fasteners so you can build over and over again.  Nice. Their work has a definite island vibe.

Why can't playgrounds look like this?

A lyrical "Dandi Lion" by William Eastlake, from the Sculpture by the Sea held annually at Bondi Beach in  Australia.

The sculpture rotates, so that children can push the sails and run beneath.

[first photo by Ian MacPherson , second photo by sally at sydneydailyphot]

Self-Constructed Playhuts by Grownups

Grown-ups can build huts too...two famous ones are the 100-foot high contraption of Horace Burgess in Crossville, Tennessee, rumored to be the world's largest (photo via inhabitat, thanks Michael for the link!)...

...and the seccessionist (literally, for he has formed his own nation, Ladonia) constructions of Lars Vilks on the coast of  Sweden.  This is Nimis.

Spielwagen Portable Playground, Berlin, 1980s to present

Interestingly, Kolle 37 grew out of an earlier movement, 'Spielwagen Berlin', in which grown-ups concerned about the lack of play opportunities in urban Berlin started a mobile playground that traveled to parks and public squares.

It is happily still in operation today, hosting what look like incredibly cool games.

Kolle 37, Berlin, self-constructed and constantly changing, 1990 to present

Kolle 37 is another amazing adventure playground...located in the Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin for children 6 to 16. Uniquely, it is an integral part of a larger park complex, nearby to a central square and open air market.  Its perimeter fence even has openings that see through to the street and its sidewalk cafes.

In addition to the hut building which seems a central part of the Kolle 37 experience (shovel, hammer, crowbar, saw, nails, and wood are provided) children can also weave willow baskets, felt wool, make clay pottery and fire it in a kiln, cook over a fire and bake in a clay oven, and even blacksmith in a forge...the philosophical underpinnings of the place are a goal to understand the four (Aristotelian) elements of earth, air, water, and fire.  Plus there are rabbits, guinea pigs, gardens, and the older kids can work in a entrepreneurial bike rental shop.  An amazing place, and there should be so, so many more like it.

[Submitted by several readers, but first by Peter...thanks!]