The children set off for the playground.

The children set off to the playground.

Do they mean the same?

Question

The children set off for the playground.

The children set off to the playground.

Do they mean the same?

Answer

Yes, both of these sentences essentially mean the same thing. They both convey the idea that the children have started their journey or have begun heading towards the playground. The choice between "for" and "to" in this context is a matter of preference and doesn't significantly change the overall meaning of the sentence.