A novel approach to interactive playgrounds: the interactive slide project

Abstract

The incipient research on interactive playgrounds is a promising field that can enhance in many ways growth, health and education of children and youngsters. In this paper, we present a novel approach to interactive playgrounds by describing the physical and interaction design of a new platform: the Interactive Slide. We concentrate on the main design issues and relate the acceptance of this platform; specifically through two applications that we have designed for it: one for children 4 to 8 years and a second for youngsters 10 to 14. This platform can provide a fertile ground for creative, leisure and educational applications and experiences. However, our main focus is on countering lack of physical activity and lack of socialization in children, which are important issues in all developed countries (and some underdeveloped ones) and especially important in Europe because of their accelerated pace of incidence.