Literature survey, image acquisition, plane mapping and field observation were employed to investigate children's activity areas in 24 community parks in shanghai.The results showed that:(1)33.3% children's activity areas had poor accessibility and 87.1% had small scales.(2)The main interface elements of children’ activity space were plants and roads.The boundary shapes of children’ activity space were monotonous with only pocket-like shape and concave-like shape.(3)There was no explicit sectorization.There were only 4 types of activity facilities, which were combined slide, bunkers, trojans and climbing frame.(4)The pavements were simple and lack of landscaping and entertainment, which were only made by elastic, tile and concrete.In addition, optimal design strategies were putted forward as follows:(1)Children’s activity area should locate nearby the main entrance of the park, tending to natural area, and relatively isolated from surrounding areas.(2)Children’s activity area should be more abundant by regulating the opening degree through the boundary morphology and the interface elements.(3)Natural, entertaining, landscaping and safe activity facilities and related activities projects should be introduced into children’ activity areas to improve the multi function of space, which should be reasonably sectorized according to psychological and behavioral characteristics of children at different ages.(4)The environmental factors should be diverse, colorful, safe and reliable.This study provides reference for planning and reforming children's activities areas of community parks in Shanghai and the similar projects.