Addis Ababa introduces a groundbreaking blueprint for constructing 12,000 playgrounds
In the heart of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is embarking on an ambitious project to create 12,000 playgrounds for young children. This initiative, known as the Playgrounds for Early Years, is a city-wide commitment to childhood play and development infrastructure.
The project is supported by a comprehensive guidebook, launched in July 2025, which serves as a practical roadmap for planning, designing, and implementing these playgrounds. The guidebook was developed in partnership with Superpool, the Addis Ababa ECD Program, and the Van Leer Foundation.
The focus of the guidebook is on children aged 0-3, promising safe, accessible, and joyful outdoor spaces for them. The Mayor of Addis Ababa, Adanech Abiebie, has stated that the city will create outdoor play areas for all children, with the intention that these playgrounds will be located minutes from each child's home.
Some of these playgrounds, including new ones in luxury neighborhoods like the CMC area, have already been constructed and opened for children to play and learn. While the exact number of playgrounds constructed is not yet specified, the project is active with ongoing implementation efforts.
The project's goal is to provide playgrounds for every child in Addis Ababa. The Van Leer Foundation, a partner in the development of the project, has been instrumental in creating resources like the guidebook to support the initiative.
Outdoor play is recognised as crucial for young children as it promotes physical health, cognitive development, social skills, emotional wellbeing, and a connection with their surroundings and nature. The Playgrounds for Early Years project in Addis Ababa represents a significant step towards ensuring that every child in the city has access to these vital play spaces.
[1] Addis Ababa to Build 12,000 Playgrounds for Young Children: https://www.addisababa.gov.et/news/addis-ababa-to-build-12000-playgrounds-for-young-children [2] Playgrounds for Early Years Guidebook Launched: https://www.vanleer.org/news/playgrounds-for-early-years-guidebook-launched [3] First Playgrounds for Early Years Opened in CMC: https://www.superpool.com/news/first-playgrounds-for-early-years-opened-in-cmc [4] Addis Ababa ECD Program: https://www.addisababa.gov.et/programs/addis-ababa-ecd-program [5] Outdoor Play Crucial for Young Children: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/outdoor-play-for-young-children
- The comprehensive guidebook launched in July 2025, titled 'Playgrounds for Early Years', focuses on integrating elements of health, wellbeing, and learning into the design and implementation of playgrounds for children aged 0-3. (health, wellbeing, learning, Playgrounds for Early Years)
- The luxury neighborhood of CMC in Addis Ababa is now home to some of the newly constructed playgrounds, offering children in fashion-and-beauty-conscious areas access to safe and joyful outdoor spaces for play and learning. (fashion-and-beauty, learning, playgrounds)
- The guidebook, a collaborative effort between Superpool, the Addis Ababa ECD Program, and the Van Leer Foundation, serves as a useful resource for those involved in the food-and-drink and home-and-garden sectors, as it provides insights on designing playgrounds that are not only child-friendly but also aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. (Superpool, Addis Ababa ECD Program, Van Leer Foundation, food-and-drink, home-and-garden)
- To further complement the learning opportunities available in these outdoor spaces, the travel industry can capitalize on this city-wide project by offering educational tours focused on the innovative designs and structures of the playgrounds in Addis Ababa, emphasizing the city's commitment to the wellbeing and development of its young inhabitants. (travel, learning, education-and-self-development)
