The playground device crafted by Everwear Manufacturing Company bore a resemblance to a teeter-totter but had a distinctive trait: it could unexpectedly lurch forward or backward, surprising its users. Pictures of the log swing in action depict children piling up to 14 deep on the beam, with some daring individuals riding it like a surfboard. Although similar swings persisted until the early 1970s, today, multi-person swings are discouraged due to their substantial weight and the potential for severe impact injuries.

Everwear curiously dubbed this invention the “Seven League Boot” of 1930s playgrounds. Children were supposed to grab onto one of the ropes attached to the spinning wheel-like device on top of the pole. They would then run around the pole, swinging and leaping through the air. While it could be enjoyable if everyone cooperated, collisions were likely, whether intentional or due to coordination issues. Because of the risks associated with Giant Strides, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has discouraged their use by including them on the “equipment not recommended” list.

Monkey bars and seesaws are gradually disappearing from many American playgrounds due to concerns from doctors and anxious parents who view them as too risky. However, in the past, playground designers merged both into a single apparatus. According to a 1929 catalog, the combination offered opportunities for various stunts and activities. Similar to the traditional teeter-totter, children had to rely on their partner to avoid sudden falls. Playing solo meant experiencing sudden and abrupt shifts as the climber moved across the ladder’s center of gravity.

Playgrounds nowadays typically feature short, plastic slides with uneven surfaces, but this wasn’t always the case. As recently as the 1990s, kids could enjoy the thrill of climbing a 30-foot metal slide and picking up some serious speed—though they might also end up with burns from the hot metal under the sun. However, the main concern wasn’t the burns; it was the daunting climb to the top. In 1978, a young boy in Chicago suffered severe injuries after falling from a 12-foot slide when he slipped through the railing. His family sued both the park district and the slide manufacturer, leading to the removal of such slides from the city’s park district. Lawsuits like this, combined with evolving safety regulations, marked the decline of tall metal slides in playgrounds.

Narragansett Machine Company’s 1922 Gymnasium Outfit enticed youngsters to ascend to a height exceeding 14 feet, as stated in the catalog. If Isaac Newton had been present to calculate the gravitational effects, he would have found that children falling from this height would hit the pavement below at approximately 20 mph. An article in the Journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention observed that children were twice as likely to suffer injuries if the fall exceeded 5 feet. Today’s medical experts would classify a drop from the top of this equipment as a “major fall.”

Before metal merry-go-rounds became popular, Everwear produced a wooden model: a “portable” 1500-pound oak contraption that practically guaranteed painful splinters. It was designed to accommodate up to 40 kids or five tons in weight. Featuring a tall deck, low-slung platform, and slots that posed a risk of trapping little fingers, this vintage ride was notably unsafe. While the splinter issue disappeared with the shift to metal and plastic, in 1995, McDonald’s had to fund a $5 million child-safety campaign after the Consumer Product Safety Commission attributed 104 children’s injuries in the ’80s to these rides. As a result, merry-go-rounds were removed by the dozen.

Lawyers and regulators have significantly restricted the traditional Jungle Gym, a playground fixture known for its height and lack of forgiveness for mistakes. The crackdown intensified in 1988 after a boy in Washington, D.C., suffered severe injuries from falling off one, resulting in his family being awarded $15 million. General Playground Equipment’s “Fire Chief” Pyramid-Type Climbing Structure, dating back to the pre-lawsuit era, was considered a top-tier attraction in 1940. Named for the fire pole in its center, allowing children to drop around 15 feet to an unpadded concrete surface below, it offered “maximum play area per dollar.” The General Playground catalog featured the tallest version of the Fire Chief, priced at $178.

The playground attraction known as the “Ocean Wave” delighted children with its undulating and wavelike motion, reminiscent of seasickness brought ashore. By 1940, this old favorite was offered by General Playground for $195. Earlier versions were often called the “Witches Hat.” Accommodating up to 40 children, the structure rotated and oscillated simultaneously. While sitting was the safer option, standing was often the preferred choice when adults weren’t watching. As the ride gained momentum, swirling and zipping from side to side, children frequently fell off or collided with the center pole, resulting in injuries to their legs. Examples of these rides could still be found up through the 1980s.

Everwear’s astonishing contraption circumvents the perils of crashing to the ground by being installed in a pool, lakefront, or beach. Despite offering a soft landing in four feet of water, labeling this marvel as a “safety swing” might be a stretch. As described in the 1930 catalog, the bather initiated the swing’s motion with a foot pedal and soared along the waves, momentarily pausing at the apex of each arc before hurtling forward. According to the advertisement, less adventurous riders could remain on the swing “until the old cat dies.” The seat was retrieved by the next adventurous soul using a rope.

If you and your friends spun on these too fast, a head injury or grazed elbow was practically guaranteed!

When this photo was shared on Twitter, it clearly struck a chord with many adults.

“One of the riskiest pieces of playground equipment from my childhood,” said one user. “Especially when older kids were pushing it. I’m sure we all went flying off at least once.”

“Getting off of it without getting hurt was a challenge in itself,” commented another.

Running and gliding in circles around a maypole is a cherished memory for any kid who spent time in a vintage playground.

It’s remarkable how much entertainment could be derived from just two slabs of wood and a metal pole. Of course, those splinters were an unforgettable part of the experience!

Old playgrounds were filled with colorful animal-themed equipment, much like this adorable horse swing.

Before playground slides evolved into shorter, safer versions made of plastic, they were towering metal structures that left nervous parents trembling at the bottom.

Not only were they prone to rust and capable of scorching your skin on hot days, but these “slippery dips” were sometimes so tall and open that climbing to the top was both a challenge and a hazard in itself.

Here’s another example: a perilous-looking slide and climbing frame from a park in Milan, Italy, dating back to 1957.

Sandboxes, once popular on playgrounds, now face scrutiny due to hygiene issues. They harbor infections, including harmful bacteria like Clostridium difficile, found in over half of sandboxes tested in Spain. Stray animals also misuse them as litter boxes. Furthermore, the sand itself may contain carcinogens. As a result, governments are considering removing sandboxes. Precautions like handwashing and covering sandboxes when not in use are essential.

Tire swings experienced a significant surge in popularity, but they came with their share of safety concerns. The non-coated tires often accumulated mold, particularly during the rainy season, becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rendering them unsafe as playground fixtures.

Additionally, the hanger clamp on tire swings could loosen or rust over time, increasing the risk of falls.

Rope ladders were popular in 1920s-1940s playgrounds, providing children with a challenging and adventurous activity. Made of sturdy ropes woven into rungs, they encouraged balance, coordination, and imaginative play. However, their open design posed risks of slipping, and worn ropes could lead to accidents. Despite safety concerns, rope ladders offered an exhilarating experience for many children during this era.

Flying rings were a popular playground feature from the 1920s to the 1940s. Children swung from metal rings suspended from overhead bars, testing their strength and agility. Though thrilling, accidents could occur, but they remained a beloved part of playgrounds, offering an exhilarating and challenging experience for kids.

These rings provided an exciting and adventurous activity for children, encouraging them to test their limits as they swung through the air. It was not only a physical exercise but also a thrilling experience that sparked imagination and creativity.

Fireman’s poles, common in playgrounds from the 1920s to the 1940s, were vertical metal poles allowing children to descend quickly from elevated platforms. They encouraged bravery and coordination but posed risks of falls or injuries. Despite this, they remained popular, offering children an exhilarating and daring play experience.

Wooden playground equipment, popular from the 1920s to the 1940s, included playhouses, balance beams, and climbing structures. They provided a rustic play experience and encouraged imaginative play but required maintenance to prevent safety hazards. Despite this, they remained beloved fixtures in playgrounds, offering children opportunities for active outdoor play.

Balance beams, prevalent from the 1920s to the 1940s, offered children a challenging and engaging activity. These narrow wooden or metal beams provided opportunities for children to develop their balance, coordination, and motor skills.

Children would walk, tiptoe, or even perform acrobatic maneuvers along the beam, testing their abilities and pushing their limits. Balance beams encouraged concentration and physical control, fostering both physical and mental development.

Tetherball poles, found in playgrounds from the 1920s to the 1940s, featured a tall pole with a tethered ball. Children played by hitting the ball, aiming to wrap the rope around the pole while blocking their opponent’s attempts. The game promoted hand-eye coordination and strategy but carried a risk of collisions or injuries. Nonetheless, it remained a cherished and competitive activity in playgrounds, providing children with an energetic outdoor pastime.