Three exciting adventure playgrounds for the kids

Margaret Mahy playground. Photo / Christchurch NZ

The family will love letting off steam at one of these exciting adventure playgrounds.

1 Margaret Mahy playground, Christchurch

On the edge of the Avon River, this playground named after the late-and-great children's author was built as part of the recovery plan following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. With highlights including a 4m-wide slide, double flying fox and a climbing wall, it's extremely popular with locals and visitors. There is also a great water play area with a splash pad, water cannon and sprinklers — perfect for cooling off in summer. Its unique design reflects the landscapes of the area.

2 Diana Memorial Playground, London

A tribute to the princess who loved the innocence of childhood,

this memorial playground

is next to Diana's Kensington Palace home and welcomes more than 1 million visitors a year. With a huge wooden pirate ship as its centrepiece, teepees to play in and a sensory trail, you can see why it's so popular. The playground was inspired by the stories of Peter Pan and encourages kids to use their imaginations in every way possible — plus it's a great way to honour the People's Princess.

The Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, London. Photo / Getty Images

3 MonstroCity, St Louis, Missouri

Part-playground, part-interactive sculpture, MonstroCity sprawls over four storeys and is built from reclaimed materials — including two planes and a fire engine. It's enough to thrill children and adults, with giant wrought-iron Slinkies to crawl through and two ball pits modelled after the Thunderdome and filled with large rubber dodge balls.

MonstroCity

is part of the adjacent City Museum, where kids can explore enchanted caves, and run in a human-sized hamster wheel, among other entertaining exhibits.

MonstroCity playground, St Louis, Missouri. Photo / Jeremy Thompson