Explorer's Bridge

The Explorer Bridge attracts toddlers to try out their balancing skills, running back and forth repeatedly. A main part of the attraction is the responsiveness of the bridge planks: For every step the child takes, important physical skills are trained: it uses of the sense of balance, tensioning feet, legs, core and arms to adjust equilibrium. For less trained bridge-walkers, the handholds add support. Running or walking the Explorer Bridge is a social experience. Children feel the movements of the other children on the bridge. This feature adds to the physical challenge of keeping the balance when passing on the Explorer Bridge. It additionally spurs cooperation, negotiation, turn-taking and consideration. These are important socio-emotional life skills when making friends through play.