aNewDomain — Is there anywhere in the world where a grownup can get a little R&R and act like a fifth-grader? Without attracting the attention of the law? The good news is yes. And recess is back. From throwing axes to sleeping in public, here are five adult playgrounds where you can act like a kid without getting arrested.
Backyard Axe Throwing League (Toronto)
Nothing shakes off the stresses of adulthood like heaving a hand axe at a wooden bullseye. Especially when beer is involved. Toronto’s sawdust-scented BATL (Backyard Axe Throwing League) lets you try your hand at the ancient art of hatchet hurling.
As you might imagine, BATL is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties. No worries, private lessons are available.
Best of all, BATL is BYOB. (Just no hard liquor or glass bottles.)
Preußenpark
(Berlin)
Parts of Berlin’s Preußenpark are off limits to anyone younger than 16. Built as a true adult playground, the park’s Senioren Treffpunkt (seniors’ meeting place) is designed for humans five feet tall and up. So burn off some steam on the elliptical. Then enjoy a drink or two in the park’s Biergarten. Ohne Kinder! Ah.
Flederhaus (Vienna)
The five-story Flederhaus in Vienna’s up-and-coming Flugfeld Aspern district looks like a giant dollhouse.
Open on two ends, the see-through structure was designed by the innovative architectural firm heri&salli. It’s an “oasis for the soul.”
Adult playgrounds don’t get more relaxing. Probably because this one is filled with hammocks.
The Flederhaus offers more than two dozen netted beds.
Austria’s adults have the perfect place to practice the preschool art of napping.
Tube Slides (Munich)
Stairs are boring, haven’t you heard?
Elevators are so yesterday.
So Munich’s Technische Universitat lets college students and other interested grown-ups slide to class. Two steep tube slides in the math and computer science building transport riders from the fourth floor to ground level. Only students have access to the tube slides. But the atrium of this esteemed research university is open to visitors.
Video: Huge (4 story high) slide inside the TUM university
Jeju Loveland (South Korea)
The phrase “adult playgrounds” can conjure X-rated images. South Korea’s Jeju Loveland plays with this idea. This outdoor sculpture garden contains more than 140 provocative pieces of art. With pieces ranging from the erotic to silly, the art was created by students and graduates at Seoul’s Hongik University. Adult playgrounds aren’t just child’s play.
And talk about adult playgrounds with photo-ops. Snap yourself posing in the outstretched arms of a sculpture with lips puckered. Or take a sip from a strategically placed water fountain. In front of a male nude. Or take a selfie doing the above.
This park is truly NSFW. Because of the provocative nature of the exhibits, Jeju Loveland is only open to adults. Adult playgrounds aren’t just for kid stuff.
For aNewDomain, I’m Helen Anne Travis.
Cover image: Man on swing by Sarah Joy via Flickr
First image: Ax Throwing by Patrick via Flickr
Second image: Chaney.Kwak.in
Third image: The Flederhaus, via CollabCubed
Fourth image: Jeju Loveland via koogle.tv
Editor: A version of this story ran on aNewDomain’s sister site, BreakingModern
