The world wouldn't be what it is without architects and designers. But while most people assume that they focus on designs for adults, that's not always the case. From fun playgrounds to accessible bathrooms for children, these architects and designers decided to go above and beyond and create family-friendly designs for kids that make our little ones' lives so much better. Check out these epic kid-friendly designs below for some instant inspiration.
A See-Saw With Sliding Weights so Everyone Can Play Together
Let's be honest; see-saws are the big dogs of the playground. Most kids would sit on this thing and fly up and down for hours on end if they could - but that's not always possible. Due to weight imbalances, see-saw adventures can come to an abrupt stop in seconds, and kids have to make sure that they're playing with similar-sized children to have the utmost fun. One architect decided to solve that problem, though.
By adding sliding weights to the see-saw, this child-friendly design ensures that children of different weights can still play together. Adults can even get involved thanks to this family-friendly design for kids, too!
The Big Question; Do You Take the Stairs or the Slide?
Most parents enjoy going to the mall with their kids, but they also know that there's a millisecond of doom where their children can transform from willing walkers to screaming demons. And we can only assume that this child-friendly design was created by an architect with kids, as they found a way to stop the demon transformation in its tracks. Yes, this is a giant mall slide! And there's even a ball pit at the bottom.
We have two questions when it comes to this design. Firstly, which option would you choose? And secondly, does anyone know where this mall is? We're asking for a friend.
A Playground With Sign Language Prompts so Nobody Is Left Out
Children come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities. But it's incredibly easy for kids to be left out - especially if they're hard of hearing or deaf. However, the architect of this child-friendly playground made sure that everybody would be included in playtime when they visited this place. By adding a simple sign offering sign language prompts, they gave hearing and deaf children a chance to play together with ease.
What we love about this design for kids is that it's so simple and easy. That panel would probably have to be there anyway, so why not make it useful?
A Traffic Playground to Make Crossing the Street a Breeze
When you think of Copenhagen, you might think of cycling. After all, Copenhagen has regularly sat at the top spot as one of the world's best capital cities for cycling. But while adult locals are used to dealing with bicycle lanes and street junctions, one architect wanted to make sure that kids could get used to this, too. So, they designed a mini traffic playground free from cars that would teach them cycling safety.
This is what child-friendly design is really about, as we bet these kids had fun while also learning valuable life lessons. In fact, some adults would probably benefit from using this, too!
This Indoor Playhouse Comes Complete With a Functioning Kitchen
Children are the future, so it's important for parents, teachers, and caregivers to set them up for success. And we don't know about you, but we think the foster dad behind this amazing indoor playhouse won't have any problems with that. When he learned that he would add new foster children to his brood, he built a fully-functioning indoor playhouse with a working kitchen, real sliding windows, and electric lights!
This family-friendly design is what children's dreams are made of, and we bet the kids have so much fun in this. But we do have one question; why are the flower boxes on fire?
A Soap Cannon for Children at the Local Car Wash
While kids eventually need to grow up and complete the mundane tasks that adults have to do on a daily basis, they still need to enjoy their childhood. That's exactly why we take off our hats and salute the designer behind this epic design for kids. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, this really is a soap cannon for children at the car wash! And it looks like so much fun.
Of course, we hope that the words "for children" are used loosely in this place. We know of many adults who would have the time of their lives using this thing!
This Park Has a Swing Designed Specifically for Wheelchair Users
Unfortunately, much of the modern world has been designed for non-disabled people. But architects are working harder than ever to change that, and this starts with changing the way disabled children grow up. And while wheelchair users have rarely had the chance to enjoy the childhood delights of a play park, this particular playground has two swings that have been specifically designed for wheelchair users. After all, why should they be left out?
This family-friendly design allows wheelchair users to experience what non-disabled kids do on a regular basis, and we absolutely love this idea. The swings look so simple to use, as well!
These Sinks Slope for Adults and Children of All Different Heights
Any parent will know the struggle of using public restrooms with children. Sure, you want to encourage your children to maintain their hygiene and wash their hands after using the bathroom, but how do you do that when the sink area has been designed with adults in mind? As kids stretch up to reach the soap and turn on the faucet, they normally end up getting covered in soapy water.
That's why the architect of this London museum decided to do something about it. This kid-friendly design offers sloping sinks to allow for adults and children of all different heights, and it's so simple but so effective!
A Swing That Allows the Parent and Child to Swing at the Same Time
Let's have a show of hands; how many adults would love to play in the park with their kids? We're going to assume that a lot of you have your hands up, as that inner child never fully disappears. But while most playparks are designed with children in mind, the architect behind this park decided to bring both the parent and the child together. And this swing allows the parent and child to swing at the same time!
But while we love this family-friendly design, we can't help but think that there's a slight flaw in it. In fact, we think parents who are constantly kicked in the chest or back can attest to that.
School Desks With Pedals so Kids Don't Have to Sit Still All Day
You probably don't need us to tell you that kids struggle to keep still. Their minds whir at a mile a minute, and it's important to allow this growth. So, why should we expect them to sit still while they're in school? Sometimes they need to release some steam or regulate their emotions using movement, and these pedal desks allow them to do just that. They won't disrupt the rest of the class this way, either.
This child-friendly design really is a stroke of genius and one that promotes fun and learning in the classroom at the same time. In fact, we can't help but wonder if these come in adult size!
This Store Gives Free Fruit to Children During Their Shopping Trips
Most adults fall into two categories; they either love their trips to the grocery store, or they hate them. But while some adults are undecided, it's fair to say that most kids absolutely hate being dragged along for these trips. They get bored, they want to eat all the food, and they want to fill the shopping cart with unhealthy snacks. This store found a way to combat this problem, though.
This family-friendly design gives kids the chance to take a piece of fruit for free and eat it on their way around the grocery store. Not only does it keep them busy, but it's also a healthy alternative to Pop-Tarts!
These Mini MRI Machines Prep Children Ahead of Their Own Scans
Kids can be spooked easily, especially if they have to go to the hospital or undergo a medical procedure. MRIs are particularly scary, and most adults hate the time they have to spend in the magnetic tube. But this hospital decided to prepare children for this experience ahead of time by giving them their very own MRI machine to play with. To make it as realistic as possible, it even came complete with the same noises.
Knowing what they are getting themselves in for before they head into the machine is probably a huge help for the children, and this is where kid-friendly designs really make a difference.
These Shorter Windows Let Kids See Inside the Construction Site
There's something about kids and construction that goes together like peanut butter and jelly. Of course, it's not safe for kids to actually get involved in this construction - but they love watching it, and they love playing with toys that mimic this process. So, we'd like to give a huge round of applause to the architect who decided to install these smaller, more colorful windows surrounding this construction site.
We bet curious children got a kick out of watching the cranes move around the construction site, and some shorter adults probably got some use out of these things, too!
A Quirky School Bus for Pre-School Children in Japan
If you have a kid that hates going to school in the morning, then you're not alone. Whether they're in pre-K or they're in high school, kids that don't want to leave the house in the morning can be pretty stubborn - and you probably think that they're not going to move for anything. But what if they were being picked up in a Pokemon-themed school bus? Better yet, one that looked just like Pikachu?
If more schools took inspiration from this kid-friendly preschool bus in Japan, we have a feeling that more kids would be jumping out of bed and rushing to get to school.
A Mock City Just Outside of the City to Teach Kids About Traffic
Living in a busy city can be a major cause for worry for parents. They wonder how their children will deal with the traffic and the busy nature of the environment, and they worry that their kids will come to harm. But that's exactly why one architect decided to build a mock city just outside of the main city, so kids could learn everything they need to learn about the city - but in a quieter, safer location.
What we love about this child-friendly design is the fact that this city looks pretty accurate. There's even a Tim Horton's and a McDonald's in this makeshift city - although on a much smaller scale!
A Child Seat in a Public Restroom to Keep Kids Safe
Any parent will know the struggle of needing to use a public bathroom with a kid in tow. Obviously, you can't just leave a toddler outside of the bathroom stall while you're doing your business. But equally, you need a little bit of separation to ensure that you can do your business without your child sticking their fingers in outlets or pulling toilet paper out of the dispenser. Thankfully, this child-friendly design solves that problem.
By offering this child seat in a public restroom, parents can rest easy knowing that their kid won't get up to any mischief while they're taking a few seconds for themselves.
This High School Book Stop Is Way More Exciting Than Ordinary Bus Stop
It's easy to assume that practical architecture needs to focus on function over form, but that's not the case at all. Sometimes you can switch things up and make something more family-friendly without scrimping on the overall practicality of the design - and an example of that can be seen here. This bus stop can be found in Holstein, Germany, just outside of a high school! And it looks pretty awesome.
This book stop is in keeping with the surroundings while still offering kids a dry place to wait for the bus, and we bet they love hanging out next to the giant pencil sharpener after school.
Steps for Young Pizza Inspectors to Watch the Process in Domino's
One of the best ways to raise a well-rounded child is to let them take in the world and observe the goings-on of society with their own eyes. And it seems as though the designer of this Domino's branch understood that memo! Instead of forcing kids to wait on chairs and stare at four walls while their pizza was being prepared, they gave them the chance to become a young pizza inspector.
We would have loved to have watched the dough show when we were younger, so we have a feeling that this child-friendly design is in constant use! What a great idea.
A Shopping Cart With a Standing Platform for Kids to Enjoy
Although many parents have had to deal with wandering children in the grocery store, it's many people's worst fear. So, they just have to try and coax their children into staying by their side the whole time. But that's not easy! Because of this, we can only assume that the person behind this family-friendly design was a parent, as they obviously understood the struggle of keeping kids entertained in the grocery store.
This standing platform gives kids the chance to glide along the grocery store aisles like a superhero, all while keeping close to their parents. And we bet the kids in this store don't wander off.
A Mini Airport Playground at the Airport in Zurich
Trying to keep a child entertained at the airport for hours on end is basically impossible. Although you can plow them with snacks or walk them around the concourse, they ultimately end up getting restless - and this sets you up for disaster before you've even stepped onto the plane. The airport in Zurich, Switzerland, has something up its sleeve, though. And it comes in the form of a mini airport.
From a tiny plane to helicopters and trampolines, this airport playground really does have it all. And the best part? It's totally kid-friendly and will tire them out before your flight.
A Book That Teaches Children How to Tie Shoelaces in Real Time
Children have so much to learn, and it seems as though we expect more and more from them every day. This can be extremely overwhelming for them, which is why architects and designers are needed more than ever - especially if they can make more things like this. Yes, this is a book that teaches children how to tie shoelaces in real time, with the help of the shoelaces provided.
This child-friendly design wouldn't just work for kids, though. Many adults still struggle to tie their shoelaces, so this book really could work for anyone who struggles with their shoes.
This Shipwreck Has Been Transformed Into the Ultimate Playground
There are so many children's playgrounds around the world, and all of them are designed with families and kids in mind. But how many of them offer something unique? Sure, any play park can have swings and climbing frames, but only those designed by an architect offer something truly special. And this old shipwreck playground is one of the coolest things we've ever had the pleasure of seeing. Just look at it!
We'd love to know if there was an age restriction on this thing. If not, we know a lot of adults who would happily spend hours in this playground! Us included.
A Public Bathroom Has a Separate Smaller Door for Children
Have you ever seen a small child try and open up an adult-sized door? Sometimes, they're just too small, and they have to reach up on their tippy-toes to have a chance at opening it up. This can be stressful for them, so we must congratulate this designer for creating a smaller, separate door for children in this public bathroom. It gives kids the independence that some of them crave!
While we love this kid-friendly design, we do have a question. Do adults have to remember to lock both doors when they're doing business? You don't want a small child walking in on you, after all.
This Carousel Has a Disabled Seat for Less Mobile Children
Just as disabled kids want to get involved in playpark fun, they also want to be involved in fairground fun. And why shouldn't they get to experience the joy of the carousel? This park in Hong Kong obviously got that memo, which is why they decided to offer a sea turtle mounted to the floor for children less mobile or those unable to climb onto the seahorses or the other sea creatures.
Family-friendly designs like this make a difference to those who have been left out of so many situations before. And it allows every child to experience the joy of childhood.
This School Rewards Students With Tokens for the Book Vending Machine
Children and adults alike thrive on positive reinforcement. While it's important to understand when you make mistakes, understanding when you've done something right can also have a huge impact on children's growth. And we bet the kids in this school are growing up to be strong and happy individuals, as their teachers give them tokens for the book vending machine every time they do something right. It's a pretty neat idea, right?
Considering the many empty spaces in this vending machine, we're going to assume that this design for kids has worked wonders. We bet there are so many bookworms in that school.
This School Offers Skateboard Racks for Students to Use During the Day
Raising teenagers is an art that many people struggle to master. But instead of criticizing children for expressing themselves through skateboarding, this school has offered their skater students the chance to put their skateboards somewhere safe while they focus on their schoolwork. And it's this give-and-take attitude that can really change a student's experience at school. Plus, it probably didn't even cost a lot to install these awesome skateboard racks.
In our eyes, every school should have this kind of kid-friendly design. Too many people associate skateboarding with delinquency, but this design for kids proves that's not the case at all!
A Playground With a Free Sunscreen Dispenser
Sun safety has always been important, but it seems as though we've only recently realized just how important it is - especially for children with their whole lives ahead of them. But parents already have so many things to remember when they head to the park with their kids that forgetting sunscreen is all too common. This play park has taken the stress out of that, though. They have their very own free sunscreen dispenser.
This kid-friendly design is perfect for adults who need a little top-up, too. It means that kids can play for even longer without their parents worrying about the blazing sun.
This Kid's Menu Caters to All-Too-Common Responses
There's nothing more irritating than a child who's grumpy just as you need to order some food in a restaurant. Getting answers such as "I don't want that" or "I don't care" are all too common, and it can take half an hour to figure out what you should order for them. But this kid-friendly menu design solves this problem! With a kid's menu that offers an option for each grumpy response, it's both practical and hilarious.
If we were ordering off that menu, we'd definitely go for the "I guess so." But with so many different options, there's bound to be something a kid will want.
This Sandpit Has Fake Bones Buried in the Sand for Kids to "Discover"
One of the best ways to raise a happy, strong, and creative child is to give them new opportunities whenever you can. And these opportunities don't have to cost a lot! In fact, more and more playparks around the world are offering amazing family-friendly designs that offer something new and exciting. You know, like being able to uncover your very own velociraptor skeleton! That's what this particular playpark offers, anyway.
When kids play in the sandbox, they can brush away and dig for hours on end with one goal in mind; to uncover the fossilized remains of the dinosaur. They might even grow up to become a paleontologist as a result.
This Shoe Store Offers an Easy Way to Measure Children's Feet
When you were younger, you may have had your feet measured using a Brannock device. And while these are still used today in many shoe stores, there are some kids who struggle with this process. They might not like physical interaction, or they may be sensitive to touch. But that doesn't mean that you just have to guess what shoe size they are. This store has come up with a nifty kid-friendly design that makes it incredibly easy.
This floor mat could be used anywhere and is just as effective as these old-school devices. In fact, we think they should make these mats in bigger, adult sizes, too!
These Park Mushrooms Are Actually Free Libraries for Kids
There's something about mushrooms that kids absolutely love. They're whimsical, they're colorful, and they spark a sense of creativity that is unmatched. That's probably why the architect behind this free library chose a mushroom as their shape of choice. After all, what's cooler than a free library in the park that's shaped like a toadstool? We bet kids can't help but explore this library when they see it in the park.
Encouraging kids to read is always a good idea, and this child-friendly design also adds some whimsy to their lives. They might even beg their parents to take them to the mushroom library!
These Shoe Inserts Help Kids Learn Their Lefts and Rights
Teaching children to put on their own shoes is a struggle in itself. But then expecting them to know their left shoe from their right shoe on top of that can be too much. Thankfully, there are some designs for children that help them with such a thing - and these shoe inserts are one of them! The left shoe has a yellow insert, while the right shoe has a right insert.
As long as the child remembers which color goes with which shoe, they should be able to put on their own shoes on the right feet with ease. Yes, it's as simple as that.
A Bus Stop in Norway Has a Swing for Kids to Enjoy
Many children spend a lot of their time waiting for the bus. Whether they get the bus to school or whether their parents don't have a car, that's a lot of time waiting without much stimulation or fun. That's why one designer decided to add a little something extra to this bus stop architecture. Instead of making kids sit on a cold bench, they decided to offer the kids a swing to sit on.
While we get that this swing was designed with children in mind, we can't help but think that many adults probably get enjoyment out of this, too. We certainly would.
This Play Park Has an LED Slide to Make the Darkness Less Scary
It's no secret that many kids are scared of the dark. Some have to sleep with night lights, and others don't like leaving the house when it's dark outside. But this family-friendly design makes the darkness seem less scary, and there's no doubt about the fact that this LED slide is one of the coolest things we've ever seen. And we can't help but wonder what this looks like when you're sliding through it!
Of course, most young children are back at home when the sun has set. But we have a feeling that the local teenagers probably get a kick out of this in the evening.
This Cloth Screen Stops Kids From Crushing Their Fingers in the Door
Children + doors = a recipe for disaster! Most parents have experienced the terrifying screams of a child who has accidentally crushed their fingers in a closed door, but there's something about the hinges that seem to entice young ones. That's why this preschool decided to do something about it. They found a kid-friendly design that creates a barrier between the children and the hinges, and it's actually pretty smart.
This cloth screen simply goes over the door hinges and keeps kids safe. And this design for kids is actually such a triumph that many countries have made them mandatory in public spaces.
This Life Jacket Loaner Station Keeps Kids Safe by the Water
Many parents dream of spending summer days by the lake with their children, but sometimes it's just too risky. Kids need to be supervised at all times around the water, and sometimes parents worry so much they decide to spend the day at home instead. But with designs like this around the globe, taking your kids to the lake couldn't be safer. After all, there's a life jacket loaner station waiting for you!
The idea behind this family-friendly design is that families borrow these life jackets for their kids, and then return them when they're done, ready for another family to use next.
This Shopping Mall Has a Giant Tree-Themed Playground Inside It
Shopping with children is hard. And while it's easy to bribe your kids with milkshakes or fries for an hour's shopping, they can get restless after a while. That's why we give major kudos to this shopping mall for realizing that kids need something else to excite them. And we bet this giant tree-themed playground does the trick! It has a huge slide, climbing frames, and so much more for them to enjoy.
After a stint in this family-friendly play park, we bet kids fall asleep instantly. And that probably works perfectly for parents who want to push around a silent child for a few hours.
This Bathroom Has a Smaller Bathroom for Children Inside of It
What do you call a bathroom within a bathroom? Bathroom-ception! And that's exactly what the Europa Park Hotel in Germany offers their guests with children. Sure, the adults get a bathroom in this shared family room - but they don't have to share the toilet or the sink. Instead, the architect behind this family-friendly design decided to create a second, smaller bathroom inside the bigger bathroom for adults. This gives kids their own space.
While this may seem like a novelty, it's actually a very practical idea. This way, kids can learn the value of looking after their own space, while allowing parents a little breathing room.
This Playground Has a Mini Excavator for Kids to Get Hands-On
Many children spend their childhood obsessing over tractors, construction tools, and big machinery. Of course, responsible parents wouldn't ever let their kids play with these large and very dangerous things - but that doesn't mean that they can't play with the child-friendly option. This park offers exactly that, thanks to the mini excavator that can be found within the sandpit. Yes, this allows kids to dig to their heart's content.
This looks like a whole load of fun and something that probably makes this park extremely popular with kids in the local area. In fact, does anyone know where this is?
This Mcdonald's Restaurant Offers a Table Drop-Down for Children
Most restaurants are designed for normal-sized adults. Yes, even restaurants that are also catered towards children! This means that the furniture is often too big for children, and they can often sit dangerously on chairs to reach the tall tables. But this child-friendly design stops that from happening, as this McDonald's restaurant decided to utilize a drop-down feature for its smaller customers. And, naturally, they made the chairs so much cooler, too!
This whole restaurant looks perfect for kids, and we bet families love heading to this place for their fries and nuggets. And the best part? The kids get to be part of the action, too.