A outdoor playground, or play area is a place designed to provide an environment for children that facilitates play, typically outdoors. While a outdoor playground is usually designed for children, some are designed for other age groups, or people with disabilities. A outdoor playground might exclude children below a certain age.

Modern outdoor playgrounds often have recreational equipment such as the seesaw , swing , swivel chair , outdoor slide , jungle gym, shake joy , and playhouses , many of which help children develop physical coordination, strength, and flexibility, as well as providing recreation and enjoyment and supporting social and emotional development. Common in modern outdoor playgrounds are play structures that link many different pieces of equipment.