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The History of PlayCubes® In revisiting the PlayCubes design, Dattner and Playworld made modifications to enhance play value, increasing the size of the cubes and additional openings to the original design. Prototypes of the revised design were play tested with children, and after refinements, the first Playworld PlayCubes were manufactured in 2016, using sturdy, rotomolded plastic. PlayCubes are modular and offer a variety of options for configuration and color — ideal for your site layout and budget. Upon their release, PlayCubes once again became a hit, revolutionizing the playground industry for a second time!
The Future of Play In the late 1960s, architect and designer Richard Dattner was focused on the state of playgrounds, determined to find ways to make them better. His 1969 book, Design for Play, emphasized play value, child-directed play and the idea of playgrounds as experiences rather than a collection of objects planted in pavement. Dattner’s thinking led to his iconic cuboctahedron creation, PlayCubes. Made from lightweight materials, PlayCubes could be easily installed with lighter anchoring. Because they were modular, they could be scaled to form a range of play structures from small to large. Their striking geometry resisted literal interpretation — providing the open-ended form Dattner advocated, leaving interpretation up to the child’s creativity and imagination.
Shortly after reintroducing PlayCubes, Playworld expanded the product line with metal PlayCubes, meticulously engineered for urban or residential playgrounds that get a lot of traffic. Made of steel and aluminum, industrial-strength metal PlayCubes are just as play safe as the originals, with smooth corner castings and concealed bolts. In January 2021, Playworld further solidified the PlayCubes legacy with Extensions. These exciting climbers link PlayCubes structures while challenging children’s imaginations and adding a distinctive Playworld aesthetic, five decades in the making. Extensions are compatible with both original and metal PlayCubes and increase the configurability and play value of PlayCubes structures.
The Enduring Power of Good Design While the available materials and manufacturing technology of the time may have been limited, Dattner’s idea was not. Decades later, when Playworld began discussing the possibility of reviving PlayCubes, they found the design to be as relevant and meaningful as ever. Working closely with Dattner, they began developing the relaunch of PlayCubes.
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