PlAyGrOuNd
Computer science and mathematics you can climb, slide, and play. The Ruoholahti Computer Playground brings abstract concepts into physical space through movement, exploration, and joy.
🏆 Winner, 2025 Math Power! Prize
Hello Ruby was selected as a winner of the 2025 Math Power! Prize for innovative approaches to mathematical manipulatives. We're developing new content that bridges computer science and mathematics through physical play.
50+ AcTiViTiEs FoR aNy OuTdOoR sPaCe
You don't need a special playground - these activities work in schoolyards, parks, gyms, or any outdoor space. Explore algorithms, logic, data, and mathematics through your whole body.
Activity Cards
Quick-reference cards for 20+ core activities. Print, laminate, and take them outside.
CArds!Full Curriculum
Complete educator's guide with lesson plans, worksheets, posters, and audio stories. 23MB PDF.
CurRicUlum!Educator's Guide
Teaching strategies, learning objectives, and tips for facilitating outdoor CS and math learning.
GuiDe!FeAtuRed AcTiViTiEs
Asphalt Code
Design and walk programs using jumps, turns, and steps on a giant grid. Learn sequences, loops, and debugging through choreographed movement.
- Concepts: Algorithms, sequences, debugging
- Space needed: Large grid (can draw with chalk)
- Group size: 2-30 students
- Duration: 20-45 minutes
Programmer Says
A logic game on trampolines introducing loops, conditionals, and debugging. Like "Simon Says" but with computational thinking.
- Concepts: Conditionals, boolean logic, loops
- Space needed: Trampolines or designated jumping spaces
- Group size: 5-30 students
- Duration: 15-30 minutes
Computer Tower
A physical input/output simulation - climb in as a data packet, slide out as output. Experience how computers process information.
- Concepts: Input/output, data processing, functions
- Space needed: Climbing structure with slide
- Group size: 5-20 students
- Duration: 20-40 minutes
Virus Tag
A new kind of tag game inspired by cybersecurity concepts. Learn about networks, security, and how viruses spread.
- Concepts: Networks, security, graph theory
- Space needed: Open play area
- Group size: 10-30 students
- Duration: 15-30 minutes
ThE RuOhoLaHti CoMpuTeR PlAyGrOuNd
The world's first computer science playground opened in Helsinki in 2023. Instead of screens or syntax, it invites exploration through wood, movement, and joy.
The entire playground is designed as a giant computer you can climb inside. Children explore algorithms by walking sequences, understand conditionals by bouncing on trampolines, and learn about data by becoming packets themselves.
Recognition: - Fast Company Innovation by Design 2025 - Urban Design, Honorable Mention - Featured in BBC, Monocle, Wallpaper*, and Helsingin Sanomat - "The world's first coding playground" - BBC
Team: Created with the City of Helsinki, Landscape Architects Näkymä, and Monstrum playground designers, in collaboration with local educators.
