Set your story in a playground: two characters are having a serious conversation while on the seesaw/in the jungle gym/on the swings.

Posted in Angst on Apr 12, 2024

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✍️ 82 stories

“Charlie” by Jean Hyde

Submitted to Contest #246

The joints of the swing tensed as she eased herself into the seat, gently releasing her body weight to avoid the whole thing giving way and both her and the chains hitting the wood chip below. She looked up at the iron links as she gingerly lifted her feet from the floor to the air, her shoulder length grey hair falling behind her and the cool air of the night brushed the back of her neck. She felt her 70 years begin to trickle away as she slowly began to swing back at forth. Suddenly she was 8 again, feeling the wind in her face and the lur...

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“The Swingset” by Neva Valdez

Submitted to Contest #246

The boy stood far away from the other children and stared at the lone swing. It was swaying gently and he found it funny since no one or thing seemed to be pushing against it. He contemplated on making a run for it, his Skechers lighting up as he shifted his weight from one side to the other. He was a shy kid or so his teacher had told his parents, but they waved it off and went on to better things. Adult things that resulted in loud noises behind closed doors and plumes of smoke creeping into the crevices of his nose as he came home from sc...

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“On the Trail” by M B

Submitted to Contest #246

Normalton Middle School’s playground sat silent save for the slight metallic creak of the playground equipment as the breeze blew through. A far cry from the usual cacophony of children screaming and laughing in play. The sun had long set, and the moon now kept watch in the sky. The entire playground was a picture of serenity as it waited for the light of day and the return of the many children who would fill the yard with their voices and imaginations. But for now, only two teenage girls stood upon the grounds of the playground as they caug...

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“That Night” by Shea Jakubowski

Submitted to Contest #246

Claire Nelson stood, waiting, on the edge of the mulch filled box; a few pieces fell onto her tattered white tennis shoes as she pressed her toes onto the side of the rotting, wooden edge. From the looks of it, this place hadn’t been touched since she’d last been here, almost 10 years ago to the day. The once proud and shining metal frame was now coated in rust, no glint of light echoed off the loaming poles, even on a night like this, the moon nearly full and no cloud in sight. The thick chains attaching the swings to the structure carried ...

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“One Night on the Jungle Gym” by Fern Everton

Submitted to Contest #246

CW: This piece contains themes of mental health and some profanity. Viewer discretion is advised. “How’d you get to the top?” “Climbed.” A boy about my age dangles his legs through one of the holes at the top of the old jungle gym. It’s thrice as high as the ones in the little kids’ playground, so much so that the leaves of the trees just about kiss it. Its shiny steel bars are blanketed in a thick layer of rust and grime that flakes when you touch it. Nevertheless, this boy sits at the top without a care in the world, seemingly obliv...

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“A Playground Confession” by Lesley Spence

Submitted to Contest #246

Click! Click! Click! The sound of the roundabout vibrates loudly in their ears. Jack’s foot drags nonchalantly along the rubber matting as he holds on tightly to Sarah’s clammy hand. Lying as still as can be, afraid to move incase their world’s fall apart, Jack and Sarah stare straight ahead into the the night sky, stars spinning before their eyes. Perturbed. Shocked. Will they ever be the same again? Jack and Sarah have been raised my their mothers sister, Suzanne, since Jack was just days old. Although there is fourteen years bet...

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“Vicky” by Mark Ready

Submitted to Contest #246

Vicky Tim grabbed the chains holding the swing's sling seat to the framework of galvanized poles and tried to decide how to hang himself from it. His grandma said, "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never harm you." She was wrong. Words hurt. If he were like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, people could say all the mean things they wanted because Vulcans didn't have emotions. But he wasn't Spock. He pictured the other kids finding his dead body when they came out for recess. Maybe then they would realize they should have been ni...

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“Playground” by Shawna Burge

Submitted to Contest #246

PLAYGROUNDBy Andy Pearson © 2024 Their lips came apart slowly. Each molecule gripping tightly to its opposite. When they finally, reluctantly separated, they were just apart. Opening their eyes, both wondered, did this just happen? He leaned back with his hands on the two chains holding the flexible seat under her. She gripped the links under his hands and looked up. Looking at his happy, confused face, she arched back and swung slightly toward him. Releasing his grip, he stepped back and pushed on her extended feet s...

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“Ups and Downs” by Charli Adams

Submitted to Contest #246

*Trigger Warning: This story contains sensitive content including self-harm, substance abuse, physical violence/abuse, and mental health issues. My best friend and I watched each other bob up and down in turn, bouncing slowly together on the seesaw. We both paused at the bottom to give the other a moment above the noise. There was nobody else in the playground with us, but it was getting towards dark, so that wasn't really all that surprising. Soon we'd have to leave or risk a fine ourselves. In the meantime, anybody other than a cop walking...

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“Swinging with the Blessing of the Sun” by Keelan LaForge

Submitted to Contest #246

Sensitive topic warning - mentions unwanted pregnancy.It was a summer’s day in 1962. Nora and Heather were sitting in the playground, like they did every day after school. They’d been going to the same one since they were little. It was the only thing to do in their town, to pass the time. The rubber seats were curved and uncomfortable, but they’d spent hundreds of hours on them; probably days - even months in total. The day was more beautiful than Heather’s thoughts. She somehow felt disrespected by the sun; like it should have been more mi...

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“Chute” by Kim Meyers

Submitted to Contest #246

U around? I stare at the message from an unknown number with the 326 area code. David is the only person I know who would send such a message, and at this hour. His constant roving and ineptitude at refilling his prepaid phone account means I can never get a hold of him. I sit up in bed, it’s 1:07am and I’ve already tossed and turned fruitlessly for over an hour. My back aches from the twenty-year-old twin mattress in my childhood bedroom. He knows I make the rounds during the holidays, returning home to visit old friends. I’ve been waiting ...

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“Gabe” by Lucas Alexander

Submitted to Contest #246

The school bell rings. Finally! We can meet up at the park. Derrick, Jacob, Philly, and Gabe are going to meet me for a Pokemon card trade. Also, Gabe said he had a Pikachu Illustrator, but none of us believed him. I didn’t say anything when he told me that. I mean, it's the rarest Pokemon card, and it costs a fortune. There's no way he has it. I meet the group at the park, but I realize Gabe isn’t there. Derrick says, “He’s late again.” He probably flaked on us. It’s not like him, though. He really cares about us. I know because of his tigh...

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“When I Come Undone” by Amy B

Submitted to Contest #246

Trigger warning:this story discusses the topic of miscarriage and pregnancy loss and the anger that comes with it When I Come Undone The sun seemed too bright as I exited the hospital. “Shit,” I say, staring too long in the sky. A single tear drips down my cheek and I quickly slash it away. “Get it together, Delilah.” I inhale a deep breath willing my body to calm. Almost impossible at this point. What a disaster of a day. Logan, I need to text Logan. I find my way back to my shitty car, the handle rusted away. Someday I will buy a n...

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“Forever and Always” by Haley Hartman

Submitted to Contest #246

Mentions death and dying, also hints at suicide. Reece comes into view as I walk around the park’s bathrooms. He’s sitting on one of the four empty swings, looking down at his phone. He hears my footsteps as I get closer and he looks up at me. A faint smile plays on his face as he nods to the swing next to him, silently prompting me to sit. “Not suspicious at all,” I playfully say as I begin swinging slowly. I glance around the empty city park, the sun bleached purple dinosaurs bouncing back and forth in the wind. If I believed in ghosts, I...

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“The Swings” by Deborah Elliott

Submitted to Contest #246

We’ve laughed and played and had a great time. It’s almost time to head home. I sit still on the swing and draw circles in the dirt with the toe of my tennis shoe. “I tell Chuck, “I hate that we aren’t living together anymore. I miss you.” He reaches out to hold my hand. His hand feels as warm and strong as ever. He softly says, “I know what you mean, but my leaving was unavoidable. It’s a job that I couldn’t turn down. I helping a whole lot of people.” I nod my understanding, and after taking a deep breath, I chang...

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Set your story in a playground: two characters are having a serious conversation while on the seesaw/in the jungle gym/on the swings.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 82 stories

“Charlie” by Jean Hyde

“The Swingset” by Neva Valdez

“On the Trail” by M B

“That Night” by Shea Jakubowski

“One Night on the Jungle Gym” by Fern Everton

“A Playground Confession” by Lesley Spence

“Vicky” by Mark Ready

“Playground” by Shawna Burge

“Ups and Downs” by Charli Adams

“Swinging with the Blessing of the Sun” by Keelan LaForge

“Chute” by Kim Meyers

“Gabe” by Lucas Alexander

“When I Come Undone” by Amy B

“Forever and Always” by Haley Hartman

“The Swings” by Deborah Elliott

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that includes the phrase “It’s all fun and games…”

Write a story about someone participating in a seemingly innocent game that suddenly takes a turn.

Write a story about someone who takes a joke way too far.

Write about a character who treats everything like a game and struggles to be serious when they most need to, or vice versa.

Contest #246

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

245

Contest entries

99

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: