A Study of Children’s Outdoor Playground Designs Through Pictures

Abstract

This study, aimed at examining outdoor playground designs for children through children's drawings, was designed using a phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research method used to reveal and interpret individual perceptions or perspectives regarding a particular phenomenon. In line with the research objective, children aged 7-10, living in a neighborhood in the city center of Edirne, voluntarily participated in the study and were asked to draw a picture of their dream playground. In this context, 120 children were included in the research. The children's drawings were analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis. Within the scope of descriptive analysis, codings were made in the categories of "Variety of Play Elements," "Vegetation Materials," "Equipment," and "Ground," based on the "design criteria for children's playgrounds" determined through literature review. Elements that were outside the "design criteria for children's playgrounds" were examined through content analysis and categorized as "play centers," "animals," "other people," "vendors," "sky elements," and "other." The codings were done independently by three experts. The findings obtained from the children's drawings were evaluated and discussed in conjunction with the studies in the literature. As a result of the analysis, it was found that children included risky play equipment in their drawings, and it was recommended that when designing children's playgrounds, safe play equipment suitable for risky play should be included.