What Makes A Great Playground For Kids

By Author: Bill Dunbar
Total Articles: 4762
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One of the most exciting things for kids to do in their own neighborhoods is go to the park and play. Parks can be a fun and safe way for the entire family to grab some fresh air and get the kids outdoors for the day. Not only do parents want to know that the playground that their kids are enjoying is fun but they also want to know that the equipment they play on will help to stimulate them so that they are also getting the most of what play time has to offer. Playgrounds come in all different shapes, sizes and colors these days and they offer many fun and exciting things to explore for children.

Children are attracted to colors and textures. The more a playground incorporates these elements, the better. Playgrounds have come a long way from older models that were made of wood and metal and were not as safe as the playgrounds they have now with safer, softer plastics. Parents should take their children to parks that have been updated and meet the standards of safe, healthy play environments.

There are many key elements that you can look for in order to assure that it's a great play area for your children. These ...
... include:

Incorporating Nature
An overall great play area should always incorporate nature. There should be natural elements such as grass, sand, water and trees. This gives children a dynamic environment that allows for them to use their manipulative skills.

Interesting to Look At
The playground should have interesting sounds, texture and colors. A good playground will always excite a child's imagination and entice the senses.

Motion
The right play area should encourage your children to run, slide, jump, climb and move. The playground equipment should also have moving parts like swings, merry-go-rounds and movable parts.

Balance
This is an important skill for children to develop and master. They usually have a great time practicing it and a playground will usually include balance bars that will allow a child to practice their balancing skills.

Multifunctional
A good play area will incorporate different areas for the entire family to use. There should be benches, picnic areas and plenty of shade. Everyone should want to utilize the area, not just the kids. Some playgrounds come equipped with built-in barbecue pits, too. This can be a great way to get the entire family out for a day at the playground, while enjoying some good food at the same time. Some playgrounds and parks even allow you to bring your own barbecue equipment as well.

Friendly Competition
Children are stimulated by friendly competition with other children. Play areas should offer subtle opportunities for friendly competition with their peers. There should be parallel bars where children can compete to see who climbs across the fastest. Double slides are also an important element and good additions to any play area. Look for additional areas that include tetherball and basketball, as well.

Accessibility
Playgrounds should be accessible to everyone. A good playground will provide play at ground level a safe surface for everyone, multisensory play opportunities as well as sight, sound and touch areas.

Ground Cover
Make sure that the playground has a safe ground cover that would cushion a child's fall. Try and avoid equipment that stands on asphalt, artificial grass, concrete or dirt.

Overhead Events
This is equipment that allows children to use their upper bodies, such as monorails, monkey bars, chain ladders and other components that will encourage upper body development. Playgrounds with gymnastic types of structures are a good way for children to practice their balancing, while strengthening the upper body at the same time.

Toddler Play
If you are a parent with younger children, then a park that has a toddler play area is going to be ideal. These areas will include toddler swings, smaller slides and toddler-friendly activities. It should be colorful with lots of sight, motor skills and hands-on activities as well. This makes the play area a great place to learn and helps a toddler to develop all those necessary skills.

Playgrounds should be entertaining for children because they are a way for them to escape to somewhere fun and out of the ordinary. Playgrounds helps children open up their imaginations and explore new possibilities as they continue to grow and learn.
About Author:
Orca Coast Playgrounds builds the best soft-playgrounds available. Safety, quality, durability, creativity, value; all key components that make Orca Coast a trusted name in commercial playground equipment manufacturing and installation around the world.