UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) – Imagine being an 8-year-old and trying to break a world record for visiting the most playgrounds in one day.

Two rising third graders at PS 9 just achieved that goal.

Hannah Bruner and Wilder McGraw set out to visit 40 New York City playgrounds in just 24 hours.

 Discover more local reporting on our homepage 

The rules were to play on at least one piece of equipment at each playground and have a timestamped photo taken at each of the 40.

“One day me and my mom were sitting in the park, we went to five playgrounds that day,” Hannah Bruner, 8-years-old, told PIX11 News. “I wondered what would be the record for playgrounds visited in one day. And we looked it up, and it was only 26,” she added.

Her mother, Jesenia Ruiz Fe La Torre, chimed in: “And I said I think we can beat that record,” she added,

Wilder McGraw, Hannah’s partner in breaking the playground record, added, “It’s really great. I love it a lot.”

So, with help from one parent from each, and pedal-assist E-bikes, the duo started at one of their favorites, River Run, on East 83rd Street and Riverside Drive at 8 a.m.

They used an online tracker to map their progress up to 112th Street and then down to 42nd Street.

 Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Here’s how 

And even got a congratulatory phone call from New York City Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura along the way, “I am so happy that you guys are trying to break this world record,” Shimamura said in a phone call. “How is it going?” the commissioner asked.

“It’s going good,” Wilder said.

So after nine hours, more than 21 miles, lots of water, snacks, and a lunch break, they achieved their goal and then some, actually visiting 41 playgrounds.

“It’s hard to pull kids away from tablets and screens,” Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Wilder’s mother, told PIX11 News. “We live in such an incredible city. It makes you want to get up and go outside, especially in the summer months,” she added:

And while there’s officially some paperwork to be submitted to Guinness World Records, they are confident.

PIX11 News asked Wilder McGraw what’s next for the 8-year-old. “If someone beats us, we’re maybe gonna take it back again,” Wilder said.

Hannah and Wilder are hoping to be recognized in the Guinness World Records book, but even if they don’t officially make it, they’ve already achieved so much. 

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.