The next revolution of shipping containers?

In the 1970s, the shipping container revolutionized the transport of goods by sea. The container has become an indispensable part of the transport industry, whether by water or land. Nowadays, these colorful boxes are increasingly seen on land, whether as storage boxes, food stations at markets and festivals, or even as entire children's playgrounds.

Mobile playground concept “KuKuk Box” in downtown Hamburg

A sea container can be almost anything—even a children's playground!

The concept was developed by KuKuk Box GmbH, a company founded in 2014 and based in Stuttgart. It is a very clever idea that combines form, function, and flexibility. The construction of a conventional playground takes an average of 4-8 weeks, not including the preliminary planning phase. The so-called “KuKuk Box” can be set up and ready for play within a day. But dismantling is also quick and easy if necessary, eliminating the need for time-consuming dismantling as with traditional playgrounds. The playground comes in a container, the playground is the container, and can be packed back into the container and transported away. This not only offers enormous advantages, but also additional possibilities for use, e.g., if space is only available temporarily or if play concepts are to be tested for a limited period.

Running around, climbing, sliding, and when you run out of steam, taking a break—that's what the Container playground offers.

Strong competitive pressure on stores in traditional shopping streets

These arguments were also used in Hamburg in 2025 in an attempt to increase the attractiveness of the city center. Brick-and-mortar retailers in city centers in particular have been suffering for years from the growth of online retail and are constantly looking for new ideas to attract people to the city. However, competition for traditional city center stores comes not only from online retail, but also from new shopping centers with covered, weather-independent spaces, which are causing problems for stores in city center shopping streets.

Making shopping streets attractive and family-friendly

Who isn't familiar with this situation when shopping with small children: after a while, they lose interest in wandering around the shops with their parents. The little ones would much rather move around, run wild, and have fun. But a playground in a shopping street—where would you find such a thing? At least this summer, there was one in Hamburg city center at the Mönckebergbrunnen fountain. A small but very well-designed play oasis with plenty of opportunities for climbing, romping, and sliding. But teenagers also took advantage of the new location with its seating areas to take a little break. Many people enjoyed the facility this year. Let's wait and see whether it will be back again next year, or whether the example will catch on and be replicated in other parts of the city center.

Playground container with seating also popular with young people