*2.2. Study Setting*

The study was undertaken in four playgrounds across a range of Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) [28] in metropolitan Perth, WA. The playgrounds included: (i) a fenced playground with several different play areas, built specifically for 6-year-olds and under; (ii) a fenced playground with low-level equipment for toddlers; (iii) an ungated single playground adjacent to a number of BBQ pits, and grass/benches for picnics; and (iv) an ungated single playground. Observations were undertaken on school days between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a time when older siblings have been dropped off at school and a popular time for 0–5 years to attend playgrounds [4,27].
