Revamped playground design could protect children around the world from dangers of the sun

On a bright morning at a school in Lincoln, New Zealand, children dart between shaded zones shaped like puzzle pieces, laughing under wooden canopies and clusters of trees. This is no ordinary playground — it’s a science-backed shield against the sun’s harmful rays, designed to protect kids while they play.

In a country where 100,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year, the danger of sun exposure is real and urgent. New Zealand and Australia have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Children, who spend hours outside at school, are especially vulnerable. While sunscreen and hats help, they’re not always used properly. So researchers asked: what if the playground itself could teach kids to stay safe?

A team from Lincoln University in New Zealand and Texas A&M University in the U.S. developed a new design method called sun protection behavior design, or SPB-D. Instead of just adding shade here and there, they divided the playground into activity zones — spaces for running, climbing, or quiet play — and studied how much sun each one gets. They looked at trees, buildings, and even how much UV light bounces off surfaces like stone or water. Then, they redesigned each zone to offer natural shade and comfort, using trees, canopies, and smart layout changes.

The result? A playground where shade isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into the fun. Zones for active play are tucked under sturdy covers, while quieter areas nestle beneath leafy trees. The design doesn’t force kids to stay in the shade — it makes them want to. Just like putting healthy food on the table, the right environment makes the healthy choice the easy one.

This isn’t just about one school. The method is already being used as a model for safer playgrounds worldwide. The researchers published their findings in the journal Cities & Health, hoping cities and schools everywhere will adopt this life-saving approach. With climate change bringing hotter, sunnier days, outdoor spaces must evolve to protect children’s health — not just today, but for decades to come.

As Dr. Anupriya Sukumar, lead researcher, puts it: good design can shape healthy habits without anyone even noticing. In Lincoln, that idea is already at play — one shaded leap, climb, and giggle at a time.