Posted Mar. 29, 2023

As adults we talk about a balance of life: work – family – rest – relaxation. We all know it’s important and being very far out of balance can wreck our life. I’m not going to lecture you on that subject, but balance is a skill that kids learn on the playground.

Some activities only work when the other person has a similar weight, like a teeter totter. You have probably been on a teeter totter and know that the heavier person has to move forward and the lighter moves back. Up and down, up and down, up and down. For a little one, that’s exciting!

But as we grow, let’s take it to the next level! Make it spin at the same time you’re going up and down. Now can I make the spin and vertical motion cause the other person to lose their balance?

This is what being a kid is all about – the challenge. Let’s take it to the next level. Can we do this standing up – with multiple people? Can we make it bounce us into the air? Way more fun!

Making activities that challenge the various ages of kids is one of our design challenges. The stand-up teeter totter even has adults playing and bouncing each other.

As you study the physics of teeter totters, you soon realize that if you move the pivot point higher, then the person on the other end will go twice as high as the pivot point. But how high can you go before you can’t climb on because the second person can’t reach the seat?

We’ve been struggling with that physics question all winter and we have found a solution. I can’t tell you now. The new teeter totter is in the fabrication/welding shop right now, but....

you’ll have to come to Discovery Park
to be flung into the air on our new teeter totter!

That’s what good play is all about.
No directions, nobody telling you “you can’t do it that way”.
It’s pure discovery!

It’s fun being a kid again!