Looking for new ways to spruce up your playground equipment? You’ve come to the right place! Below, we take a look at 27 pieces of essential playground equipment for various grade levels. From installing monkey bars to facilitate strength building to using picnic benches to promote social interaction, there are quite a few considerations that go into playground design. Dive right in to break down a few of those considerations with us.
1. Swings
Picture the scene: A line of swings dancing in the breeze as laughter fills the air. The simplicity of a suspended seat, swinging back and forth, offers children a delightful experience of freedom and childlike bliss.
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2. Slides
Slides are an iconic part of any playground. They provide kids with a burst of speed and thrill whilst teaching them about gravity and motion in the most enjoyable way.
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3. Monkey Bars
Remember the exhilaration of swinging from bar to bar? Wasn’t this just the ultimate test of upper body strength as a kid!? Monkey bars aren’t just fun, they provide exercise in the departments of muscle building and determination.
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4. Jungle Gyms
Welcome to the wild! Jungle gyms, also known as climbing frames, underpin a complex web of adventure and exploration. They allow children to unleash their inner monkey as they collectively enhance their motor skills, coordination, and problem-solving abilities.
Learn More: Eastern Jungle Gyms
5. Seesaws
Up, down, up, down. The classic seesaw, a longboard that has been balanced in the middle, offers a firsthand experience of weight distribution and balance.
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6. Spring Riders
Imagine riding a horse, or maybe even a dragon! Spring riders offer your kiddos the opportunity to revel in these types of magical adventures. Mounted on springs, these playful riders offer the joy of movement and imagination whilst enhancing balance and motor skills.
Learn More: Commercial Playground Equipment for Sale
7. Climbing Walls
With a climbing wall to fortify your playground, your kiddos will truly be able to reach new heights! These features turn any playground into a mountaineer’s paradise and are a fun and engaging way to boost children’s confidence, strength, and resilience.
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8. Balance Beams
Beam walking isn’t just for gymnasts! Balance beams provide a narrow, raised pathway that does wonders for enhancing our kiddos’ coordination and balance.
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9. Sandbox
A beach in the schoolyard? Yes, please! By installing a sandbox, you offer your littles an open-ended play space in which they can dig, build castles, and even bury treasure. Furthermore, they’ll be developing their fine motor skills, creativity, and social interaction.
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10. Spinners
Spinners provide a fun whirl of excitement. Your learners can either sit or stand on these spinning pieces of equipment to experience a rush as they spin around and around.
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11. Merry-go-round
Like a carousel ride, the merry-go-round offers a delightful spin in the playground! Similarly, your kiddos can stand or sit as they experience the joy of circular motion and cooperative play.
Learn More: Willy Goat
12. Tunnels
Tunnels offer a different perspective for children to enjoy; encouraging them to navigate through a new and exciting space. They’re perfect for facilitating imaginative play and developing spatial awareness as well as gross motor skills.
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13. Playhouses
These miniature buildings invite pretend play amongst our kiddies as they work to foster their creativity and social skills. Playhouses are also great for instilling some early lessons in responsibility as our children learn to take care of their space.
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14. Dome Climbers
Geometry meets fun in these dome-shaped climbers. Invite your kiddos to weave themselves in and out, up and over these interconnected bars to improve their spatial understanding and problem-solving abilities, and engage them in physical activity.
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15. Hanging Bridges
Hanging bridges add an element of excitement to the playground. Whether they’re pretending to cross a crocodile-infested river or escape from a castle, these bridges will certainly enhance your kiddos’ balance and imagination.
Learn More: Playdale
16. Tetherballs
Tetherball is a playground game that promotes hand-eye coordination, strategy, and friendly competition. It’s the perfect game for helping your littles work on their swinging and aiming abilities! It’s sure to provide hours of entertainment as your kiddos whack the ball back and forth to one another.
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17. Hopscotch Pads
Get your kiddos to hop, skip, and jump their way to learning numbers and letters! Find a flat area and mark it with a traditional hopscotch design before inviting your kiddos to play. As they hop from square to square, they’ll work on their letter and number recognition as well as their counting skills.
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18. Fitness Stations
Welcome to the open-air gymnasium where physical activity is encouraged! Design and install a playground fitness station that’s equipped with a variety of equipment to promote physical health, participation, and strength.
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19. Basketball Hoops
Basketball hoops add a sporty touch to any playground! By engaging your kiddos in a game of basketball, you can promote teamwork, hand-eye coordination, and a spirit of healthy competition.
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20. Soccer Goals
Here’s an idea that your learners are bound to love! Install soccer goals to nurture a sense of teamwork, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness. Host monthly matches to up the fun factor!
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21. Stepping Stones
Leap, land, leap again! Stepping stones can be used to facilitate a host of energetic games that will help youngsters hone their balance, coordination, and timing.
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22. Play Towers
Play towers, better described as tall structures with multiple levels, offer your students a multi-level play experience. As they climb and explore, they’ll enhance their spatial awareness and motor skills. Let’s see how high they can climb!
Learn More: MRC Recreation
23. Benches
Ah, another playground essential- benches serve as rest areas for kiddos and make perfect supervision spots for teachers. They provide a comfortable place for students to relax and socialize, or for teachers to oversee activities.
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24. Picnic Tables
Here’s another playground staple- picnic tables. These tables often provide a base for fostering social skills as pupils eat lunch at them or use them when craving a change of scenery when wrapping up classwork.
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25. Splash Pads (water play areas)
Splash pads invite learners to cool off by standing under water sprays and fountains. Better than this- these water play areas offer a fun way for our kiddos to learn about water properties whilst staying cool during the warmer months.
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26. Sensory Play Panels
These interactive panels are designed to engage children’s senses. Whether they provide textures for our learners to touch, sounds for them to make, or visuals for them to interpret, sensory panels promote sensory development and explorative play for students of all ages.
Learn More: Red Monkey Play
27. Bicycle Racks
Finally, bicycle racks encourage students to bike to school by providing secure parking. Apart from promoting physical fitness and environmental consciousness, these racks help to teach students about responsibility and the importance of safety.
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