Playtime is more than just climbing, sliding and swinging

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19th July
Playtime is more than just climbing, sliding and swinging image

When we think of play equipment, it's pretty common to just picture the classics: climbing frames, slides, and swings — and for good reason, these are playground favourites after all — but there's more to the story than just these three. When it comes to designing or picking out your play area’s kit, we always find it's worth considering a few factors before pulling the trigger. 


Firstly, what will the kid’s like now versus when they get older? Or what age demographic do you want your playground to cater for? Secondly, accessible play equipment to match the needs of children who need that extra support is readily available and it should definitely be a consideration. Finally, is this play equipment right for the kids — is it popular? Sometimes it can be difficult to separate what we liked growing up with what kids today enjoy. However, with all that being said, we have been doing this for 25+ years and we have found that the easiest answer to the problem of what they really want is to ask the kids yourself!


As you know, not everyone wants to or can climb, slide and swing on every piece of kit, let's focus on the kids who'd rather sit and hang out with their buddies or use their imagination to play or just want a break. Sometimes, the energetic climbing and sliding can be a bit much, so it's important to make space for those other kiddos too. You can do this by adding little clubhouses or seating within or around the equipment.  When you're thinking about these hang out areas, it's important to strike a balance. Kids need to feel like they have their own space, but it's also crucial for adults to keep an eye on them. So, we avoid creating spots where kids can totally disappear from view. 

Activity Panels are a great way of improving variation of play as they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from classic Tic Tac Toe to fancy ones with moving parts. You can find educational panels with maps or numbers, panels that encourage make-believe play (like shop fronts), and even musical panels that let kids get creative and work together. Plus, they can be built freestanding or incorporated into any part of a structure allowing all kinds of children to enjoy their benefits.


Play Trails are another great way to mix up the flow and expectation of a playground — they are low impact balance focussed obstacles that are less physically demanding than say swings and have less of a commitment bias as opposed to something like a slide. Younger kids and older children both enjoy play trails as the balancing act of getting from A to B is a universal concept loved by all.

Designing a playground with all these elements can be a bit of a juggling act, and sometimes you have to make compromises. But don't forget the needs of all the kids when you're planning. Let's make sure the playground is a place where every child can have fun and express themselves equally.

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