Playgrounds offer children a safe space to have fun as they develop emotional, physical, cognitive, and social skills. As children grow and develop, their needs tend to change. Inspire Play commercial playgrounds can be built to accommodate such changes. This information can help manufacturers design play spaces that cater to a specific age group.
But a lot o settings such as churches, daycares, and elementary schools must make playgrounds that fit the needs of children of all ages. When making a playground for several age groups, it’s important to think about the equipment that must be included in the design.
Why Invest in Age-Appropriate Playground Equipment
Choosing age-appropriate equipment for a playground is essential when designing a playground that caters to kids of different age groups. Every age group approaches play differently because of differences in their abilities, size, and mental development.
Children need playground equipment that fits their physical and mental abilities for maximum fun and benefits. A piece of playground equipment that is too big or too hard for a child won’t encourage kids to play. Also, equipment that is too challenging can pose a risk to a child’s safety as they may not be physically capable of navigating the equipment.
Playground Design Features that Must be Taken into Account
When building a playground for kids of varying age ranges, the kind of movement every age group will develop must be considered. Also, the playground’s aesthetic appeal and the way a selected feature will fit into it must be taken into consideration. Deciding on a playground theme can help guide toward the choices of features and accessories that will be used to complete the play space.
- Playgrounds for infants. The best equipment for these playgrounds must allow for full-body movement such as crawling, walking, rolling, or dancing. Also, it has to be touch-friendly and low to the ground. Infants can benefit from small slides, crawl tunnels, and ground-level activity panels.
- Playground for preschoolers. Elements that cater to children in different stages of play are vital to building an age-inclusive playground.
- Playground for elementary schoolers. These children like to take part in dramatic play, constructive play, and competitive play. A playground must have equipment that activates the imagination of this age group such as themed play panels and interactive clubhouses.
- Playground for middle schoolers. To target middle schoolers successfully, a playground must have equipment that forces them to engage with an object physically. For instance, overhead climbing events, rock walls, and high-thrill slides can encourage these children to take part in outdoor play.
