Here are the best playground surfaces to lessen the chance of major injuries:
- Wood chips
- Mulch
- Sand
- Pea gravel
- Shredded rubber
- Rubber mats
- Poured in place rubber surfacing
What should a playground be made out of?
Improper ground surfaces: Surfaces around playground equipment should have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. Playgrounds should be free of exposed concrete footings, rocks or tree stumps.
What are the safety requirements for a public playground?
Public Playground Safety Checklist Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment.
How do you make a playground safe for children?
Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment.
How do children learn on the playground?
Children learn through play, making playground activities an extremely important part of their day. On the playground, there are seven elements of play that help children not only develop physically, but also help in the areas of cognitive, adaptive, social, and emotional development as well.
What type of playground equipment do I need?
How big is your play space?
What age groups are using it?
What are the benefits of a playhouse?
What is composite play?
What age do kids ride on the playground?
What is swinging for kids?
See 2 more
What should every playground have?
All playgrounds should have elements like slides, swings, climbers, tunnels, and activity panels. These components have excited and challenged kids for years. Today, these classic elements have new and improved twists that make playgrounds even more engaging.
What makes a good playground?
Playspaces should be accessible to everyone. A great playspace will provide play at ground level; multi-sensory play opportunities (sight, sound, touch) and a safe surface for everyone. Look for soft groundcover that can cushion a child's fall. Avoid equipment that stands on dirt, concrete, asphalt or artificial grass.
What do you think are the 3 most important things to have on a playground?
5 Things Every Playground NeedsSurfacing. Playground surfacing is something that can often be overlooked when designing a playground. ... Rest Areas. Rest areas such as picnic tables and benches may not be the most exciting part of the playground but they are important. ... Amenities.
What types of items are found on a playground?
Playground equipmentActivity towers.Climbing frames.Slides.Swings.Carousels.Spring rockers.Balancing products.Sand play.More items...
What are the 10 principles of playground design?
The designs the team at Playground Ideas creates are shaped by these ten principles:Design for different types of play. ... Create a sense of place. ... Trust children's creativity. ... Make room for secrets and surprises. ... Consider the “flow” of the space. ... Create zones for different energy levels.More items...
What are at least 4 items that can help make or keep a playground safe?
What does it take to make a playground safe? Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment.
How do you make a playground interesting?
Ways to Enhance Playground FunStart With the Basics. ... Allow for Creativity. ... Prioritize Accessibility. ... Create Designated Quiet Areas. ... Cater to All Ages. ... Add Rest Areas. ... Add Shade Structures. ... Make Space for Additional Toys and Activities.More items...
How do you plan a playground?
6 Steps of Planning a PlaygroundStep 1: Core Factors. During this step, you need to determine the purpose of this playground. ... Step 2: Design. Once you know your core factors, you can start looking at the design. ... Step 3: Budgeting. ... Step 4: Placing the Order. ... Step 5: Installation. ... Step 6: Maintenance.
What is a unique feature of playgrounds?
Inclusive playground equipment involves a wide range of features that make it possible for everyone to get involved in play. From accessible swings to double-wide ramps, inclusive play structures make it safe for children with disabilities to access the equipment and enjoy playing with their friends and family members.
What is the most common playground equipment?
The most popular equipment on school playgrounds includes swings, slides, seesaws and music and game panels.Swings: Perhaps the most popular piece of playground equipment is the swing. ... Slides: Slides are a playground staple. ... Seesaws: Another popular playground item is the seesaw, also known as the teeter-totter.More items...•
What is the most popular piece of playground equipment?
Merry Go Rounds - Merry Go Rounds have always been extremely popular. Kids love running with it and hopping on to spin around in circles. From the traditional design to the more modern styles, Merry Go Rounds are a playground staple! Swings - Swings are the perfect piece of equipment for a fun time.
What kind of things should not be there in the playground?
Avoid playgrounds with non-impact absorbing surfaces, such as asphalt, concrete, grass, dirt or gravel. Recommended surface materials include: sand, pea gravel, wood chips, mulch and shredded rubber. Rubber mats, synthetic turf and other artificial materials are also safe surfaces and require less maintenance.
How can I make my playground better?
Below you'll find some tips on how to make your current playground more inclusive.Install Modified Swings. ... Include More Ground-Level Activities. ... Create Wide Even Spaces. ... Consider Other Modified Equipment. ... Add Park Amenities for Parents and Caregivers.
What is a unique feature of playgrounds?
Inclusive playground equipment involves a wide range of features that make it possible for everyone to get involved in play. From accessible swings to double-wide ramps, inclusive play structures make it safe for children with disabilities to access the equipment and enjoy playing with their friends and family members.
How do you make a playground interesting?
Ways to Enhance Playground FunStart With the Basics. ... Allow for Creativity. ... Prioritize Accessibility. ... Create Designated Quiet Areas. ... Cater to All Ages. ... Add Rest Areas. ... Add Shade Structures. ... Make Space for Additional Toys and Activities.More items...
What is the most functional shape for a playground?
The most commonly chosen shape is circles, however squares, triangles or even stars aren't out of the question!
Free Complete Playground safety checklist
Playground Safety Inspection Checklist. As part of the standards in California you must periodically inspect your playground and document it. All playground areas and equipment should be inspected for excessive wear, deterioration and potential hazards.
Playing it safe: preschool playground guidelines | Parenting
A licensed preschool is required to meet state safety requirements for its playground. But smaller family-run programs may not be licensed or follow current guidelines for play yard safety.
What is the importance of playground layout?
Playground layout is another important factor to keep in mind during the designing stage. For example, you do not want to install a swing set with another piece of equipment placed closely behind it. Proper spacing is important! Here are the top things to think about regarding layout:
Why is it important to have a playground?
Playgrounds offer countless opportunities to grow, laugh and develop important skills. Remember spending sunny afternoons gleefully climbing, or swinging high into the sky alongside friends or classmates? Every child deserves the chance to create happy playground memories they can cherish for life. A safe, fun playground makes that possible.
How deep should a playground be?
Loose-fill surfaces like wood chips should be at least 30 centimetres deep for equipment up to 2.4 metres high. Playground surfacing should extend at least 1.8 metres beyond the equipment. The higher the equipment, the deeper the surfacing should be.
How to increase fall protection on playground?
By reducing the height of playground equipment and increasing the depth of protective surfacing, you greatly boost your playground’s fall protection. 2. Spacing and Design. When choosing a location for installing your playground, the right spot can make a big difference when it comes to safety.
Why is it important to have age appropriate play areas?
Age-appropriate play areas help prevent injury to young children who have not developed the skills or strength for larger pieces of equipment, and they also keep older children from getting stuck or injured on small playground equipment. Consider the following types of age-appropriate play equipment, and see how they differ:
What happens if a playground is unsafe?
If a playground is unsafe, children are limited in what they can do and enjoy, and they might get hurt. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to prevent playground injuries. With the right knowledge and equipment, you can bring joy and play to the kids in your community without worrying if it is done right.
What is the best surface for a playground?
Mulch. Sand. Pea gravel. Shredded rubber. Rubber mats. Poured in place rubber surfacing. Playgrounds on hard surfaces with a fall height aren’t compliant.
How to make a playground safe?
Public Playground Safety Checklist 1 Make sure surfaces around playground equipment have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, or pea gravel, or are mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. 2 Check that protective surfacing extends at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar. 3 Make sure play structures more than 30 inches high are spaced at least 9 feet apart. 4 Check for dangerous hardware, like open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends. 5 Make sure spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs, measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches. 6 Check for sharp points or edges in equipment. 7 Look out for tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks. 8 Make sure elevated surfaces, like platforms and ramps, have guardrails to prevent falls. 9 Check playgrounds regularly to see that equipment and surfacing are in good condition. 10 Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they're safe.
What is the purpose of carefully supervise children on playgrounds?
Carefully supervise children on playgrounds to make sure they're safe.
What are the skills that children learn in the playground?
On the playground, children may still be learning social skills such as conflict resolution , so setting rules which help with this skill can be very useful in keeping the play area more welcoming and in teaching kids an important life skill. Sharing. Playgrounds mean sharing play spaces, equipment, attention and time.
Why do playgrounds post guidelines?
Increase Playground Safety. One of the big reasons why many playgrounds choose to post guidelines is to promote safety. Not everyone may know how to use specific equipment safely, so having rules can help inform everyone about what to do and what not to do.
How does inclusive play equipment help kids?
Moreover, inclusive play equipment is designed to be used by kids in different ways, ensuring children can use more of the play equipment on the playground. With more fun equipment to choose from, kids may not be crowding around the few same activities, which can reduce wait times and lineups and the resulting frustration. Kids get to play more and have more options to explore. Not only is this more fun, but it can mean less problems with lines and sharing.
Why do playground rules need to be implemented?
The right playground rules, implemented correctly, can promote safety, inclusiveness and good manners at the playground.
What does "sharing" mean in a playground?
Sharing. Playgrounds mean sharing play spaces, equipment, attention and time. Rules such as “no pushing” or “no staying on a piece of playground equipment for more than ten minutes if there is someone waiting” set clear limits and help turn the general ideas of “sharing” into something kids can understand.
What are the behaviors that teachers, parents and other caregivers should encourage?
When creating the rules for your playground, you will want to create regulations which promote certain types of positive behaviors, such as: Communication . Good communication can help encourage inclusivity and is important for childhood development.
Why are rules posted?
In many cases, having rules posted can help children feel more comfortable about reporting bullying and wrongdoing. Posted rules mean children are given a voice of some authority. They can feel confident knowing when someone does something wrong and can giving voice to that issue.
Written by OwnPlayground Team
While playgrounds are fun and exciting for the kids, they should also be safe for the children to truly enjoy various playground activities. Here are the top 10 critical factors to consider when purchasing playground equipment for your little one.
Common Types of Playground Equipment
Before discussing some of the crucial things you need to look for in playground equipment, let us have a quick recap on some of the most common playground equipment available.
Crucial Things You Should Look for In Playground Equipment
Now let us talk about some of the crucial factors you should look for in playground equipment.
Final Thought
When you’re in the market for playground equipment, it can be difficult to know what factors are most important. With so many options available, finding an option that works best at your site and within your budget may seem like a daunting task.
What should be on the ground around playground equipment?
Improper ground surfaces: Surfaces around playground equipment should have at least 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel, or mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials. Playgrounds should be free of exposed concrete footings, rocks or tree stumps.
How many children go to the emergency department for playground injuries?
Staying Safe on Playgrounds. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to U.S. hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment.
How big should a head entrapment space be?
Head entrapment spaces: Openings between rails, bars, rungs and even ropes of cargo nets should be less than 3 1/2 inches or more than 9 inches. Sharp points and edges: Playground equipment should be free of protruding bolt ends, “S” hooks, and other sharp points and edges.
How far apart should swing sets be?
Overcrowded play areas: The area under and around play equipment should be a minimum of 6 feet in all directions while swing set areas should be twice the height of the suspending bar both in back and front of the swings . Structures more than 30 inches high should be at least 9 feet apart.
Can kids play with ropes?
The American Academy of Pediatrics cautions that children should not wear or play with anything that could get caught on equipment and become a strangulation hazard. Never attach or allow children to attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines or pet leashes to play equipment.
What are some ways to make a playground more fun?
You can use this checklist to ensure your playground helps children have lots of fun as well as be more successful in the classroom. Swinging. Kids love that sensation of flying on a swing, developing coordinated movements, and strengthening their arms, legs, and trunk. Plus, swinging: Relaxes and soothes.
What are the elements of play?
On the playground, there are seven elements of play that help children not only develop physically, but also help in the areas of cognitive, adaptive, social, and emotional development as well.
Why is swinging important for children?
Improves the brain’s ability to process sensory information. Swinging is a great activity to help develop a child’s vestibular system. Children who have an underdeveloped vestibular system may not have a sense of balance or don’t feel grounded.
Why do children swing?
Swinging is a great activity to help develop a child’s vestibular system. Children who have an underdeveloped vestibular system may not have a sense of balance or don’t feel grounded. Often, their equilibrium is off and they may need activities like swinging to help develop their vestibular system.
What is swinging for kids?
Swinging can relax a child and put them at ease. A child who is quiet and introverted may get on a swing and then start singing or talking. He or she might engage in pretend play, like imagining what it is like to be an astronaut in space.
Why is play important in preschool?
Since children in preschool learn through play, playground activities are extremely important in our day. Playground activities not only help a child develop physically but also help in the areas of cognitive, adaptive, social, and emotional development as well. Different elements of play are great for early childhood development, ...
Do preschoolers go on swings?
Some of my preschoolers have not spent much time on a swing. You can see their excitement as they start to realize how it works; “this is what happens when I move my legs back and forth, I keep going higher and higher.”
What type of playground equipment do I need?
Every child and every facility is different. What works in one community may not work in yours. We have gathered together some of the most common pieces of playground equipment with a list of each of its benefits to help you decide on what works for your children.
How big is your play space?
Oftentimes the first most defining quality will be how much space do you have. You can have all of the money in the world and still be unable to add a playground to your school if there is no space. Measuring the space will determine which items can be placed in your play area. Our Design Services page walks you through what to look for when evaluating your space.
What age groups are using it?
Splitting it into two main groups that are often covered in what some might call the preschool age fits children with the most appropriate playground equipment:
What are the benefits of a playhouse?
Playhouses bring multiple benefits as they are intimate settings that encourage socialization, group play, parallel play and imaginative play while working on key developmental skills such as fine and gross motor skills, cognitive thinking and sensory awareness. Nature themed playhouses in particular can create a seamless transition from their play area to the space around them.
What is composite play?
Composite structures are more traditional play systems that incorporate slides, climbing and many other physical skills into a single area. Composite structures often times allow the largest combination of activities for the most condensed space and price. We have separated our structures by 6 - 23 months, 2 - 5 years, 2 - 12 years and 5 - 12 years to make searching for the right playground even easier.
What age do kids ride on the playground?
A classic piece of playground equipment that allows children between the ages of 2 to 5 to work on their balance. Spring riders have been a playground favorite for generations. Children use their cores to generate the power to move their ride.
What is swinging for kids?
Swing work on a child’s vestibular sense which is sometimes simply referred to as balance. Children use gross motor skills as they learn to pump their legs and swing on their own. Bucket seats are a good choice as they provide back support while helping them to sit upright. For playgrounds with limited space, a T-Swing can be an excellent option allowing for two bucket seats in a smaller area. Belt seats can be used in play areas designated for ages 2 to 5 on 8-foot top rail or higher swing sets.
