It is absolutely true that no one uses these awful looking plastic treehouses, swing sets, slides etc. Why can't children play like we did years ago? We would play outside and play ball, ride bikes, set up games. Parents would be out also. Do parents buy this crap to pacify and keep children busy and they can be on computer? Maybe that is why children are spoiled----just walk in back of a parent and their child wailing for a toy the day after Christmas.

Royko

Yes, because playground equipment and swingsets are an invention of the 21st century. Did you not have a swingset as a kid, or at least a nearby neighbor friend had one? Anything that encourages outdoor play is a good thing. I think you are misguided in your contempt. I think you want to rail against video games and TV, because those are what keep kids from going outside to "play ball, ride bikes, set up games."

It is NOT "absolutely true". We used to play on our swing set all the time (an old school metal one), and also on those at our friends' houses (some plastic, some wood, whatever, as long as it was climb-able)