New playground at Maropeng – photo essay – Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves

More fun has been added to the Cradle of Humankind with the installation of new playground equipment at Maropeng. The installation is part of a larger enhancement programme which commenced at the beginning of December.

Lindsay Marshall, Maropeng exhibitions curator, says that installing an outdoor play area aims to enhance the experience of a family day out at the Cradle of Humankind.

“The new playground equipment represents a fun way to engage with the topic of human evolution,” she says. “Every fun element is underpinned by a learning experience.”

Made up of three installations – a jungle gym, a sand pit, and a snakes and vines board – the play area is linked to educational information on display. The playground equipment is made of wood and other natural materials and includes monkey bars, a fireman’s pole, and outward-facing swings.

The playground is situated in a triangular space behind the Tumulus building. It is overlooked by the Tumulus Restaurant deck, where parents can sit and relax while watching their children playing. Space is available for more play equipment to be added at a later stage.

The following photo essay shows children enjoying the new playground equipment:

The snakes and vines board teaches children about the survival of the hominid

Snakes represents threats and vines show opportunities

Children can become palaeontologists for the day as they dig for fossils in the sand pit

Children learn firsthand about the evolution of bipedalism (the ability to walk on two legs) when playing on the jungle gym

The swings offer breathtaking views of the Cradle of Humankind