About the competition
Could you design something that gives children in London high-quality play experiences?
London Play Design is inviting students and recent graduates from UK universities to design play opportunities that make use of free or low-cost materials and are simple enough to be built by volunteers.
Winners in each category will have their designs built in an adventure playground and will be invited to be a part of the consultation and build process if they wish.
Entrants are also invited to exclusive ‘How To..’ sessions with play and design experts from LPD and Playrise. It doesn't matter if you don't know what an adventure playground is or what it means to maximise play value - we'll help you at these workshops!
We opened this challenge to meet the needs of London’s adventure playgrounds for fresh ideas that are realistic to build. By entering, you'll be doing your bit to preserve these vital community play spaces. We also feel strongly about supporting today’s generation of creative minds by providing the unique opportunity to learn and bring your designs to life.
How does it work?
- Register to take part by 20th November 2026.
- Choose from one of three categories: loose parts play kit, small structure/installation, or landscape and play zones.
- Come to our 'How To..' sessions - a chance for you to learn, explore and get advice from our experts.
- Design and develop your idea, creating a design concept that can be made from free or low-cost materials and can be built by teams of volunteers. Submit by 25th January 2027.
There'll be one winning design chosen from each category. Winners will be invited to take part in the consultation and development process, gaining industry insight by working with LPD to bring their designs to life in an actual adventure playground in London.
Why should you enter?
- You’d be doing your bit to help ensure London’s children have access to fresh and inventive play spaces in their local adventure playgrounds.
- You’d build your experience in designing for play, for children, and for volunteer-led build processes.
- You’d get to talk to experts in adventure play, play architects and engineers.
- You’d gain real-world understanding of how communities can be involved in design processes, how limited access to resources affects design, how the principles of play can be included in designs, how to put children at the centre of product development, and lots more!
- We’re here to support you – our ‘How To..’ programme is intended to give you all the knowledge and guidance needed to approach the challenge successfully, as well as giving you insights you can take forward into your studies and future professional life.
Thank you - we look forward to receiving your submissions.
London Play Design is inviting students and recent graduates from UK universities to design play opportunities that make use of free or low-cost materials and are simple enough to be built by volunteers.
Winners in each category will have their designs built in an adventure playground and will be invited to be a part of the consultation and build process if they wish.
Entrants are also invited to exclusive ‘How To..’ sessions with play and design experts from LPD and Playrise. It doesn't matter if you don't know what an adventure playground is or what it means to maximise play value - we'll help you at these workshops!
We opened this challenge to meet the needs of London’s adventure playgrounds for fresh ideas that are realistic to build. By entering, you'll be doing your bit to preserve these vital community play spaces. We also feel strongly about supporting today’s generation of creative minds by providing the unique opportunity to learn and bring your designs to life.
How does it work?
- Register to take part by 20th November 2026.
- Choose from one of three categories: loose parts play kit, small structure/installation, or landscape and play zones.
- Come to our 'How To..' sessions - a chance for you to learn, explore and get advice from our experts.
- Design and develop your idea, creating a design concept that can be made from free or low-cost materials and can be built by teams of volunteers. Submit by 25th January 2027.
There'll be one winning design chosen from each category. Winners will be invited to take part in the consultation and development process, gaining industry insight by working with LPD to bring their designs to life in an actual adventure playground in London.
Why should you enter?
- You’d be doing your bit to help ensure London’s children have access to fresh and inventive play spaces in their local adventure playgrounds.
- You’d build your experience in designing for play, for children, and for volunteer-led build processes.
- You’d get to talk to experts in adventure play, play architects and engineers.
- You’d gain real-world understanding of how communities can be involved in design processes, how limited access to resources affects design, how the principles of play can be included in designs, how to put children at the centre of product development, and lots more!
- We’re here to support you – our ‘How To..’ programme is intended to give you all the knowledge and guidance needed to approach the challenge successfully, as well as giving you insights you can take forward into your studies and future professional life.
Thank you - we look forward to receiving your submissions.
Prize
Mixed/Other
Winning designs will be built in an adventure playground
Deadline
November 20, 2026
in 2 weeks
Eligibility
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Open worldwide unless noted.
