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What Today's Kids Need From a Playground, According to These 5 Communities

By Heather Wright

Updated Sep. 15, 2026 at 9:57 AM CST

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In today’s screen-heavy society, it’s getting harder for children to get back to basics and run and play outside, to let play unfold naturally.

Outdoor play is essential to physical and mental health and plays an important role in social and cognitive development. The World Health Organization recommends children ages 5 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, and outdoor play is one of the easiest ways to help meet those recommendations.

But kids aren’t spending a lot of time playing outdoors. According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, almost 40% of U.S. preschoolers play outside for less than an hour a day during weekdays, while 24% spend less than an hour outside on weekends. UNICEF reports that despite well-established research around the benefits of outdoor play, especially free play, the amount of time kids spend outdoors is decreasing.

Parks designed around free play, and easy access to them are important for busy families. Fresh air, fitness, and fun are all built in, right outside your door.

These five communities bring playground design to the next level, from inclusive, all-ages play, to nature-inspired features, sensory parks, and space to explore, discover, and use the imagination.

Teravalis, Arizona

Play Highlight: Nature-Inspired Play

Located about 30 miles west of downtown Phoenix, Teravalis embraces free play and immersion in nature across 300 acres of parks, with playground features inspired by local landscapes and species. Floreo Park draws inspiration from desert bees, Windrose Park from hummingbirds, and Dahlia Park from dragonflies, while Bloom Park features a giant flower-like climbing structure. Throughout the parks, kids can find climbers, cues for imaginative free play, padded play areas, ping-pong, bocce ball, and basketball courts.

Here is a selection of homes for sale in Teravalis:

Mesquite at Teravalis

Meritage Homes by Teravalis - Estate Series

Willow at Teravalis

Cadence, Nevada

Play Highlight: All-Ages Play

Located in Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas, Cadence is designed around parks, trails, and outdoor recreation. Some playgrounds are outgrown quickly, but outdoor play benefits all ages, and it's desirable when a playground can flex for various age groups. Its 5-acre Adventure Playground is designed to appeal across ages, with zones dedicated to younger children, older kids, and teens. Climbing walls, tunnels, slides, and turf fields offer different ways to play, while the centerpiece, a 10-foot-tall, 80-foot-long Boomerang Net Climber, can be enjoyed by all ages.

Here is a selection of homes for sale in Cadence:

Cadence - Preston Terrace

Opus at Cadence

Interlude at Cadence

Wendell Falls, North Carolina

Play Highlight: Imaginative Play

Some of the best parks act as a gateway to imaginative play, offering cues that give kids space to explore and pretend while being active outdoors. At Wendell Falls near Raleigh, Peak Playground does exactly that. Rope ladders, swings, slides, and climbing features encourage kids to dream up their own adventures, from playing pirate to crossing an obstacle or soaring through the sky. Rather than prescribing how kids should play, the space encourages open-ended exploration.

Here is a selection of homes for sale in Wendell Falls:

Cottages at Wendell Falls

Townhomes at Wendell Falls

Single Family Homes at Wendell Falls

Sunterra, Texas

Play Highlight: Tactile Play

Tactile play engages the senses and encourages curiosity, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. At Sunterra in Katy, about 30 miles west of Houston, The Retreat playground sets the stage for tactile play with nature-inspired log climbers and a crawl tunnel, along with spinners and slides. Even the materials underfoot vary, including turf, engineered wood fiber, and half balls, adding to the sensory experience.

Here is a selection of homes for sale in Sunterra:

Sunterra by Highland Homes

Sunterra by DRB Homes

Sunterra by Chesmar Homes

Babcock Ranch, Florida

Play Highlight: Inclusive Play

Inclusive play is built into the experience at Explorer’s Park in Babcock Ranch, located in Southwest Florida near Fort Myers. Part of a network of six parks designed for different ages and interests, Explorer’s Park brings everyone together with custom Florida-themed play equipment, including a fanboat climber, gator play structure, 3D Florida panther experience, and sensory farm park.

Here is a selection of homes for sale at Babcock Ranch:

Lake Timber at Babcock Ranch

Palmetto Landing at Babcock Ranch- Tradition

Creekside Run at Babcock Ranch

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Heather Wright

Heather Wright

Heather Wright is a senior writer for NewHomeSource and Builder with a background in real estate reporting and home design, decor, and architecture. She has written for a number of print and digital publications in the lifestyle space.