The Future of Playgrounds: Integrating VR Technology for Immersive Adventures

The future of play is here, and it’s bringing an exciting and immersive experience to playgrounds. Playground owners and businesses know that staying up to date with modern playground experiences is the name of the game — enter virtual reality integration.

Virtual reality (VR) has a promising future. By the end of 2023, worldwide VR revenue is expected to exceed $15.81 billion, a nearly $4 billion increase from 2022. This statistic validates that various industries are using VR technology in one way or another, be it the health care, manufacturing or even the recreational industry.

Although VR is still in the early stages, the future of playgrounds will likely include interactive play spaces and even VR gaming for kids. Who knows what else it will include? We can only wait and see. For now, we’re covering all you need to know about VR playgrounds.

The Playground of Today

Traditional playgrounds are an integral part of many of our childhood memories. We immediately think of swings, slides, seesaws and jungle gyms. Each structure aims to provide a combination of fun, socialization and physical activity. Think back to the excitement of heading to the park on a warm summer day and all of the benefits you enjoyed. Swings are an excellent example of how a playground achieves its goals.

• Physical activity: Swings require kids to pump their legs to swing back and forth.
• Socialization: Kids can swing on their own, next to a friend or have an adult push them.
• Entertaining: Of course, swings are fun!

Today, there is a nostalgic charm to conventional playgrounds, and many kids still love them. However, while they still form part of modern kids’ lives, modern playgrounds require a new approach, one that includes technological innovations. In today’s digital age, new needs and preferences emerge, and as technology rapidly advances, so do the younger generation’s expectations.

Today, kids are growing up with a tablet in hand. They’re immersed in an environment of virtual stimuli and interactive technology. One study by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) shows that the majority of Generation Alpha — those born between 2010 and 2025 — will spend 23 hours per week of their recreational time online.

So, what does this mean for playground owners? Well, meeting kids’ evolving expectations necessitates innovation in playground design. Physical activity, socialization and entertainment are no longer sufficient. Today’s playgrounds must use technology to create immersive adventures that are engaging while still stimulating their bodies and minds. To bridge the gap, playground businesses can incorporate VR technology. With VR, playgrounds can be transformed into exciting interactive play areas. They can become a safe space for kids to explore, learn, exercise and socialize.

An Overview of VR Technology

Now that we understand that there is an opportunity for playground owners and businesses, we can go into the details of VR technology in playgrounds.

What Is VR?

Virtual reality, or VR, is an advanced branch of technology. VR is essentially an artificial environment that users can interact with, providing an immersive and other-worldly experience. Some components of VR systems include the following:

• Controllers: A VR controller allows users to interact with the virtual environment’s elements. These controllers can consist of buttons, touchpads, joysticks or trackballs. With these controllers, users can navigate the digital world and manipulate objects.
• Sensors: Other key components are motion sensors and cameras. They help detect a user’s movement and position. It also tracks head and hand rotation in 3DoF, or Degrees of Freedom.
• Headsets and earphones: While headsets and earphones are handy VR components, they are optional. Users don’t necessarily have to cover their eyes and ears for a fully immersive experience. Some systems are designed to incorporate headsets and earphones, and others create an outer-world adventure without them. Some innovative systems utilize floor-to-ceiling screens to portray breathtaking and interactive graphics.

When used in unison, these VR components shift users into a fully immersive environment. Users can then freely interact and experience the digital world in real time.

VR’s Potential

VR technology has already impacted various industries. Let us take a quick look at a few examples:

• Gaming: One of the first sectors to use VR is gaming and entertainment. With VR, gaming companies can construct digital worlds to create an unforgettable gaming experience.
• Education: Learning becomes more fun and interactive for teachers and students with VR. The education sector can get creative with interactive lessons and engage kids in their education.
• Health care: The health care sector took education to the next level with VR. Medical professionals in training can use VR for surgical training, and VR also proves useful in therapy and patient rehabilitation.

What about the recreational sector and playgrounds? VR is making its way there, too! Aside from appealing to the growing population’s changing needs, VR has major potential to offer an equally educational and entertaining experience at the playground. Dynamic, unique and immersive adventures can potentially cultivate skills needed in the real world, including creativity and problem-solving. This makes VR-integrated playgrounds perfect for the younger tech-savvy generations.

The Park Playground is a unique VR franchise and an excellent real-life example. The Park Playground locations offer virtual adventures in the form of VR games. Visitors can use various VR components like controllers to roam the virtual world freely and participate in various VR challenges. Socialization is the main focus, and the company welcomes kids and adults of all ages.

What proves promising is the fact that The Park Playground endured through the COVID-19 pandemic and is planning to expand into new markets. This demonstrates the growing interest in VR playground experiences and social hubs.

VR in Playgrounds

VR could play a pivotal role in the playgrounds of tomorrow. Let us explore the three major roles VR will play.

1. Immersion

Immersion gives VR playgrounds a competitive edge. It’s VR’s ability to fully plunge a user into a new and exciting dimension — a place never before seen. It’s also what excites users of all ages. The combination of multisensory engagement, real-time feedback and narrative depth all contribute to an immersive experience.

VR components like work in unison to fully engage a user’s senses and perception. The visual and auditory elements provide a sense of presence in a simulated world. These designed worlds can allow participants to explore the deepest of the ocean’s depths and venture into the unknown of outer space. VR also opens a whole new alley for games to facilitate learning and creativity.

There are no longer real-world boundaries placed by the conventional playground. Kids can now leap into boundless landscapes to ignite their curiosity, knowledge and sense of adventure.

2. Interactivity

Although interactivity may seem synonymous with immersion, each has distinct concepts and features. These features help us understand the relationship between the user and the medium. Simply put, interactivity in VR allows users to engage with the digital world through actions, direct input or choices. Key interactivity features include user involvement, real-time response, multimodal interaction, adaptability and, of course, immersion.

Interactivity is made possible through the VR controllers and a virtual body within the virtual environment. As such, participants can interact with a VR playground via touch, gestures and even speech. The aim of an interactive experience is to foster active participation and engagement.

It also aimed to create a dynamic, user-centric environment. You might think that VR is limited to one user per world. However, VR is capable of offering a multiuser experience — bringing multiple participants together.

3. Creativity

Just because users are immersed in a digital and unique world doesn’t mean that they won’t use their minds and imagination for creativity and problem-solving. VR can perhaps even enhance these skills because users are immersed in new simulated environments. These environments can spark minds to think, explore, tinker and create.

The combination of an immersive and interactive environment can boost creativity. The enhanced visualization and multidimensional experience create a personalized, engaging, collaborative space that encourages creativity. For example, a VR playground or virtual play area can inspire users to create and modify VR elements and utilize all their senses — all while collaborating with each other.

VR puzzles, challenges, tests and play areas can also encourage problem-solving, critical thinking and imagination. This may help stimulate cognitive development and ignite creativity.

Advantages of VR Playgrounds

There are numerous advantages for VR playground users — immersion, interactivity and creativity. But the benefits don’t stop there. Playground owners and businesses that invest and deploy in VR playgrounds may experience the following advantages:

• Enhanced revenue stream: The one major advantage owners may experience is an increase in their revenue stream. Playground owners can choose to charge additional entry or usage fees for VR playgrounds or attractions.
• Increased attraction: VR playgrounds are still relatively new — making them unique attractions. This can result in an increase in visitors who are curious about this immersive experience.
• Competitive advantage: Playground owners who invest in this innovative and advanced technology can gain a competitive advantage. Because VR playgrounds are in their early stages, they can be more attractive than a conventional playground or play area.
• Marketing and publicity: The above few benefits can trickle down into marketing and publicity. With increased foot traffic and competitive edge, owners can use their VR attractions to stand out from the crowd. Also, word of mouth about an exciting VR playground or attraction generates free publicity.
• Extended playtime: Younger generations are interested in technology and digital worlds, and this curiosity can increase the amount of time they spend playing in and exploring the VR playground. When families spend a long time at the park, you can add concession stands and other services.
• Appeal to all age groups: Traditional playgrounds are built for kids of specific ages. However, with the integration of VR, a broader market can enjoy the play area. VR can be enjoyed by various groups of all ages — from kids and families to friends and colleagues.

Considerations for VR Playgrounds

Although VR presents exciting opportunities for the future of play, there are four key considerations to remember. Each of the following aspects contributes to the successful implementation of a VR-enhanced playground.

1. Investment

First and foremost, playground businesses must consider the costs involved. These costs can include anything from market research and software licensing to installation and ongoing maintenance. While these costs can vary based on the scale of the VR system’s scale and complexity, the potential returns on investments can be substantial.

Your return can come in the form of increased attraction and foot traffic, a satisfied customer base and other monetary opportunities that come with VR experiences. See the integration of a VR system as a strategic move to cater to an evolving market. With thorough research, a well-planned budget and a clear vision, a VR-enhanced playground can be well worth the investment.

2. Infrastructure

Next, there are some technical aspects and infrastructure to consider. Playground owners must consider their location, hardware, software and other VR system components. This can include things like the VR system itself, its components, the network setup, and the power and cooling systems.

Playground owners need to closely explore the technical infrastructure’s compatibility, maintenance and safety measurements. To combat these challenges, playground businesses looking to invest in a VR playground might also want to consider collaborating with a third party that specializes in this sector. They can bring the expertise required to plan, construct and maintain such unique structures.

3. Safety

Safety is nonnegotiable. Although there may be fewer physical structures, safety is still a concern in virtual play areas. Some examples of safety concerns include age-appropriate content, usage time limits and child-friendly interfaces. Furthermore, children should be supervised in a VR playground the same way they are at a traditional playground. Other safety concerns can include device guidelines, sanitation practices, clear safety instructions and emergency protocols. All are indispensable to creating a secure virtual playground.

4. Design

The above considerations are the building blocks for a thoughtful VR playground design. VR playground designers must create an immersive and secure environment. This environment should work seamlessly to provide an engaging and safe user experience. Of course, age-appropriate design and ergonomics are pivotal to ensuring an optimal and holistic experience.

View Our Products

Explore the Soft Play® Gameparx System Today

The world of VR is ever-changing, but one thing’s for sure: Kids love immersive experiences, and modern playgrounds can meet those needs. Enter Gameparx!

Gameparx is a fully interactive play experience created by Soft Play® and our powerful partners, Infinite Kingdoms and Unreal Engine. Stunning graphics are projected onto the floor-to-ceiling screens, and the experience can change and evolve so that visitors never have the same experience twice. Gameparx is also endlessly flexible and able to expand or contract based on your area’s needs. Ready to excite kids with a new immersive experience? Request a demo from Soft Play today!