LEGO isn't the only Danish engineers inviting kids to celebrate their imagination. One Danish company is building creative, one-of-a-kind kid's playgrounds, and these clever designs are every child's dream.
MONSTRUM, founded by former theater set designers Ole Barslund Nielsen and Christian Jensen, has been making elaborate and whimsical playground equipment since 2003. From a giant electric eel swirling around a lighthouse to a princess tower and a rocket ship mashup - these cool designs are inviting children to play in Denmark, Sweden, Egypt, and other countries. Scroll down to vote for your favorite jungle gyms, and let us know in the comments which one of these thematic playgrounds you'd want in your back yard. You know, for your kids and their fun games, not for you, right?
More info: monstrum.dk (h/t: insider)
#21 The Submarine And The Lighthouse
The inside of the submarine is separated by a bulkhead with round manholes. The navigation deck can be accessed via the ladder in the submarine tower. Older children can climb from the navigation deck onto the hull of the submarine.
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34points
#22 The Snake In The MeldgÅrd Forest
A large grass snake twists and turns on the forest floor. Inside the snake there is a long mazy tunnel in which you can hide from the other children when playing tag.
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34points
#23 Tivoli Hotel Og Congress Center
The playground is located at the third floor level, and you can see all the way to Tivoli from the top of the Japanese tower.
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33points
#24 Diesel Engine
You can enter the the 260cm tall Diesel engine through the flywheel, and climb on up to three tube slides.
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31points
#25 Dannebroge
A cannon is on the way out of the hull, still attached to the deck. It looks just too difficult to get on board, but soon you will see new opportunities to find small routes around the explosion.
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30points
#26 The Lighthouse And The Fishermans House
The fishing boat is equipped with a rudder and compass, so that the children have acces to all the tools they need to navigate the boat safely into port.
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30points
#27 Octopus In Gorky Park
The proud ship S/S Oceanliner is on a long journey. Suddenly, a giant octopus rises from the deep blue sea and attacks the ship.
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29points
#28 Stjernedrys
Stjerneskuddet is an integrated childcare institution for children aged one to six years in Copenhagen. The playground is divided into areas, providing space for riding a bike, playing ball, climbing and sand digging.
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27points
#29 Theater Playground
“Din Teaterpark” in Pildammsparken is designed by artist and scenographer Annika Carlsson together with MONSTRUM, and carried out in collaboration with Malmo Stad in 2013-2014.
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27points
#30 Tutti Frutti
You are dreaming about a big and sweet banana or pear, while you are sliding down from an apple, climbing on an orange or sailing away on a melon shell.
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27points
#31 Santa Maria And The Easter Islands
Marco Polo’s old ship has run aground the Easter Islands, and she now lies half buried in sand far from civilisation. Two of the cannons are still intact, but the mast lies broken across the railing
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25points
#32 Trinidad – The Lost Coaster
The coaster has wrecked on a sandbank and is broken in two. The many wreckage pieces, such as boxes and logs are spread out in the water and on the sandbank.
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24points
#33 The Parrot
A big parrot with multiple levels inside is the new central play equipment on the playground.
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24points
#34 The Monster In Bispeparken
The children in Bispeparken wanted a monster on the playground. MONSTRUM put up a trap and caught one.
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23points
#35 The Large Cod
The large cod is swimming in the eelgrass with tiny fish around him. It works as a combined climbing frame and hide out.
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23points
#36 Petzi’s World
The Danish cartoon series on Petzi tell about a life of adventure. Petzi and his friends sail their ship Mary to discover new land, solve problems for their new friends, build new things, trade, and play together.
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20points
#37 Lund
This small city is composed of a series of small playhouses, connected by a network of paths that meander through the small town.
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19points
#38 Seaweed
It is a hot summer day at the beach. We are in very shallow waters where the bladder seaweed sways slightly in the waves.
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17points
#39 Societetsparken
A large haunted house, three fluttering bats and a dark forest inhabited by ghosts set the mood of the spooky ghost playground in Varberg.
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17points
#40 Crocodiles
The crocodiles are two sculptural elements on the beach. Here you can play – or just sit and enjoy the view.
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17points