5 Awesome School Playground Ideas

Introduction

For many children, the school playground is a source of great enjoyment a place to socialise, exercise and learn. It also plays a crucial role in children’s development, helping children develop key skills like strength, balance, coordination, decision-making, conflict resolution, communication and improve self-confidence. In order to provide children, the best opportunity to develop these skills, there are a range of key factors that should be taken into consideration when designing a school playground. Examples of these include equipment safety, accessibility of playground design, equipment variety, durability, seating and the amount of shade. This article will explore 5 awesome school playground ideas.

I. Sensory Playground

Sensory Play is an important part of children’s development and can greatly enhance their play experience. By incorporating sensory play into kids outdoor learning experience, children are provided with the opportunity to explore their different senses. When designing a sensory playground, here are some of our top tips:

• Incorporate a variety of different textured surfaces including pebbles, bark and rubber touch. This allows children opportunities to explore their sense of touch.
• Add in sandboxes and different water features.
• Try utilising interactive features such as buttons and levers to encourage new opportunities for cognitive exploration.
• Optimise areas for quiet spaces with comfortable seating for children to relax and recharge.

II. Nature Playground

By incorporating natural elements and materials into school playgrounds children are provided with an opportunity to learn more about the elements in their natural environment. To create an authentic nature playground try incorporating natural materials such as logs, rocks, and boulders to create different climbing structures and play features. Natural water features such as streams, ponds and waterfalls should also aim to be featured, to create a fun and interactive play area. Different surfaces and textures such as wood chips, gravel and dirt can also be used to create a nature trail. Another fun way to utilise nature within this playground is through using different natural elements to create different art installations such as sculptures and windchimes. Try also incorporating wildlife features like butterfly gardens, to provide an insight into local animals they may see.  

III. Art and Creative Playgrounds

Playgrounds within schools can also involve creating a designated art and creative space. Students can express creativity on an art or chalkboard wall which can be used for painting and drawing. An interactive art and creative playground can also be used through creating a sculpture garden, with a variety of installations that can be touched and explored. Another creative, interactive element that can be used, are creating mosaic walkways that can be arranged and rearranged into different ideas, allowing a physical expression of creativity.

IV. Fitness and Sport Play Areas

Allowing opportunities for school children to explore a range of different fitness and sporting experiences is another key component of play. Ways to encourage this is ensuring your schoolground has grass areas, cricket nets and different sports courts. Play can also take place on outdoor running tracks and play equipment, within lunch breaks and designated outdoor time. An important factor to consider when thinking about these outdoor fitness spaces is ensuring water fountains and shaded seating are in place to ensure children have space for relaxation and don’t overheat.

V. Outdoor Boardgame Space

Outdoor playgrounds can also include areas for kids to learn about competition, playing fairly and socialisation with outdoor boardgames like chess and jenga and checkers. It is important in these spaces to have different comfortable seating options, and shaded structures for hot and sunny weather. Different game selection and storage options are also key to these outdoor playground areas, encouraging students to take part and use them.

Conclusion

Well-designed school playgrounds, provide an opportunity for kids to explore outdoor play, and learn key concepts like conflict resolution and communication. School playgrounds need to be functional, with durable and safe equipment for kids to play on. It is important when choosing the equipment for your school playground you choose high-quality playground equipment to enable the best standard of play. Here at Felton Industries, we offer a range of safe and colourful school outdoor furniture well suited to a variety of different playground ideas for schools. To support a range of playground ideas, our range of school outdoor furniture is comfortable, shaded and has accessibility options.

How Felton Can Assist your School

 Here at Felton Industries, we have a range of school outdoor seating well suited for preschools, primary and high schools within Australia. Some of our most popular playground and outdoor space furniture includes our Park setting, Eco-trend Sheltered Park setting, 4-Sided Pedestal Park Setting and Deluxe Sheltered Park Setting. To explore the best options for your outdoor school playground areas, get in touch with our friendly Sales Team on 1800 834 016.