Relationships between socioecological characteristics and families' playground use in different seasons in Finland

This study used a socioecological model (SEM) to investigate families' use of public playgrounds in different seasons in Finland. Altogether, 561 parents of young children responded to the questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between the child-, parent-, and family-related characteristics and the use of playgrounds in different seasons among families with preschool-aged children. Families visited playgrounds (on average) once a week in winter, twice a week in spring and autumn and 3-4 times a week during the summer. The distance between home and the most-used playground was the strongest factor explaining families' visits to playgrounds in all seasons. Moreover, a home without a yard and a child's young age were associated with more frequent visits to public playgrounds, despite the season. Public playgrounds should be located close to homes so that families can use them more regularly in all seasons.