A bright new playground has opened at Baoshan No. 2 Central Primary School in Shanghai, where the worlds of LEGO bricks and Nike sportswear collide to reshape how children experience recess. The project grew out of LEGO’s “Build the Change” workshop, during which pupils used 2 × 3 LEGO bricks to sketch ideas for a playground that would feel like a giant building set. Those sketches became the blueprint for a vibrant, modular play space that blends sport, imagination and movement.
Nike’s involvement ties the design to its “Move to Zero” sustainability program, turning the simple brick into a tool for exploration, climbing, and quick‑burst games. Rather than a static field, the layout offers interchangeable routes, stepping stones and obstacle zones that let kids design their own paths during a typical ten‑minute break.
Designer Name: LEGO and Nike
The playground’s visual language is unmistakably LEGO‑inspired: bold primary colors, interlocking shapes and a pattern that mimics the iconic studs of a brick. These elements guide children to climb, weave, and jump, encouraging both structured sport and free‑form play. The design also incorporates Nike’s performance ethos, with surfaces that support sprinting, agility drills and balance challenges, turning a brief pause between classes into a mini‑training ground.
Beyond aesthetics, the collaboration highlights a shift in educational environments toward experiential learning. By letting students physically build and test routes, the space nurtures problem‑solving, teamwork and confidence. Teachers report that the playground has sparked spontaneous games, from “brick‑track” races to obstacle courses, turning ordinary recess into a dynamic laboratory of movement.
Sustainability is woven into the project as well. The installation uses recycled materials wherever possible, aligning with Nike’s carbon‑neutral goals and LEGO’s commitment to circular design. The modular components can be reconfigured or replaced without major construction, extending the playground’s lifespan and reducing waste.
Social media buzz shows children and parents alike sharing photos of the colorful arena, praising its ability to make “sports feel like play” and “play feel like building.” The initiative has been highlighted in industry outlets as a fresh example of out‑of‑home (OOH) branding that becomes part of daily life rather than a fleeting advertisement.
The Baoshan playground demonstrates how brands can move beyond traditional marketing to create lasting community impact. By translating a child’s simple LEGO concept into a full‑scale, sport‑focused environment, LEGO and Nike have crafted a space where movement, creativity and sustainability intersect—turning every schoolyard break into an opportunity for active learning.
The post LEGO + Nike turn Shanghai schoolyard into a colorful play-sport hub first appeared on Yanko Design.