Playgrounds have become an integral part of modern urban life, and their change in function have a significant impact on children and on the design of community spaces. The study examines the historical development of playgrounds, starting from the pedagogical reforms of the 19th century up to today's modern and thematic playgrounds. The research covers the social and pedagogical role of playgrounds, as well as their comparison with playgrounds. The historical overview shows that playgrounds were first created to ensure the free movement of children, and then, during the 20th century, they increasingly fulfilled a social and educational function. Modern playgrounds are not only playgrounds, but also arenas for social integration and community building. The examples of the Sziget-Kék and Máltai playgrounds in Debrecen clearly illustrate the new functions of the playgrounds: the former is a thematic park that also offers cultural experiences, while the latter provides social and community services. The study points out that while public playgrounds developed and acquired new functions, the playgrounds of institutional education changed less. Playgrounds of this type are still basically safe, but less inspiring spaces that cannot compete with the community-forming and developing effects of modern public playgrounds. The research concludes that the modernization of playgrounds poses new challenges for the institutional educational environment and necessitates a change of attitude and development of playgrounds.