Adventure playgrounds provide a space for children to play freely. Play is a right of all children as stated in Article 31 in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Play is essential for children to develop intellectually, physically, and emotionally.

At adventure playgrounds children get to play how they choose; they are not limited by fixed play equipment or by organized activities or games. Children are given the safety of an enclosed supervised environment. Play workers are always present to mediate disputes between children and help them when necessary.

The environment of an adventure playground encourages social interaction. It is a social space in which children interact with adults and children. At conventional playgrounds, children tend to play mostly with their siblings, friends or caretakers. At an adventure playground, children create new relationships. Adults do not need to be present, stressing the importance of child-child interaction and relationships.

Children spend a great deal of time building structures, and doing so requires the help of their peers. Children converse to a greater extent with other children at adventure playgrounds than in conventional and contemporary playgrounds [two types of playgrounds with fixed equipment]. At an adventure playground children learn to negotiate their relationships.

Adventure Playgrounds provide a space for children's developmental growth. At the Mark Twain adventure playground in Houston, Texas a combination of surveys and standardized tests revealed that children's aggressive behavior was reduced and opportunities for solving problems were increased. Children also made significant gains in social responsibility and social problem solving.