Playground sign: what it means

Playground sign: a fluorescent yellow-green diamond with two children on a seesaw
Drawing: Drivoku, based on MUTCD sign W15-1. Simplified; real signs follow the FHWA Standard Highway Signs specifications.

The Playground sign warns that a children's playground is next to the road ahead. Children may run into the street.

Take the free road signs quiz

What does the playground sign mean?

MUTCD Section 2C.56 says the Playground sign may be used to give advance warning of a designated children’s playground next to the road, and that it may have a fluorescent yellow-green background.

Quick quiz

What does the sign at the top of this page mean?

  1. A school area, zone or crossing is near.
  2. A children’s playground is next to the road.
  3. People may be crossing ahead.

Show answer

B. A children’s playground is next to the road. Advance warning of a children’s playground next to the road (MUTCD Section 2C.56). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.56, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA

Where will you see it?

Next to parks and playgrounds in towns and neighborhoods.

What should you do?

Slow down, watch the sidewalks and parked cars, and be ready to stop for a child or a ball in the road.

What do people get wrong?

Thinking it only matters at school times. Playgrounds are busiest after school, on weekends and in summer.

Common questions

Why is the playground sign yellow-green?

MUTCD Section 2C.56 allows a fluorescent yellow-green background, the color used for school and playground warnings (Section 1D.05).

Is there a crosswalk at every playground?

Not always. Section 2C.56 says crosswalk markings should be considered where children cross to reach it.

Compare with

Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.

Sources

Checked on 3 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Sections 1D.05 and 2C.56.

  1. MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2C, Warning Signs and Object Markers: Section 2C.56, FHWA
  2. MUTCD 11th Edition, Part 1, General: Section 1D.05, FHWA
  3. MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025

Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.

This text was written with AI help, checked against the MUTCD and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .

Last checked against the sources: · Report a mistake