Swings & Slides Audiobook By Jane Miler cover art

Swings & Slides

Playgrounds and the Way They Shaped Childhood Around the World

Virtual Voice Sample

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection of titles.
Yours as long as you’re a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for $8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Swings & Slides

By: Jane Miler
Narrated by: Virtual Voice
Try Standard free

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $3.99

Buy for $3.99

Background images

This title uses virtual voice narration

Virtual voice is computer-generated narration for audiobooks.

Childhood has always had a home — and it’s often been the playground.

From humble sand piles in the late 19th century to high-tech, climate-resilient, inclusive spaces in the 21st, playgrounds tell a story about more than fun. They reveal how societies view children, balance risk and safety, and build community.

In Swings & Slides: Playgrounds and the Way They Shaped Childhood Around the World, you’ll discover:

  • Origins & Social Impact – How sand gardens in Boston sparked a nationwide movement.

  • Design Revolutions – The rise (and near fall) of daring adventure playgrounds.

  • Safety & Standards – How CPSC and ASTM guidelines transformed play equipment and surfacing.

  • Inclusion & Accessibility – The push to create playgrounds for all abilities.

  • Global Perspectives – How culture shapes playground design from Scandinavia to Japan.

  • Future Trends – Nature play, climate resilience, and the role of technology in tomorrow’s playgrounds.

Perfect for history lovers, educators, designers, parents, and anyone who’s ever swung from a set of monkey bars, this engaging, fully illustrated history blends cultural insight with playful storytelling.

Whether you’re looking back with nostalgia or forward with inspiration, Swings & Slides will change the way you see a space that has shaped generations.

Resilience
No reviews yet