How to wow: the new age of playgrounds

How do you design a great playspace that tempts today’s overstimulated kids away from their computers? The good news is that outdoor play spaces can sustain their age-old role in childhood – as long as we raise the stakes on design.

 Playgrounds face competition like never before: from screens, eroding green spaces and escalating risk aversion. What we need is forward-thinking ways to entice and engage today’s savvy kids and adults. It’s time to up the ante – so here are our top 6 considerations for planning a playground to match our modern age.

1. Go outside the square

It’s the age of the destination playground: large, custom built, diverse and exciting playspaces that draw people from near and far. We’ve built groundbreaking examples and we’re proud to break the mould. But no matter what size your playground, it’s time to open up to a world of new possibilities that go beyond the standard slide and two swings. We even make it possible to combine digital fun and physical play to get kids moving outside.

 2. Allow discovery

The more ‘static’ a playground is, the less it invites creativity, engagement and true participation. Think multiple entry and exit points, doors that ‘reveal’ new play areas, different layers, and loads of inspiration for make-believe play. Invite children to navigate the structure, plan their route and be surprised.

 3. Nature of play

As interaction with the natural world wanes, there are many ways to incorporate the colours, textures, contours, curves and movement of nature into the playground. In fact, our latest ranges of rockers and play systems make it easier than ever to use nature as your muse.

 4. Don’t lose sight of side-benefits – for all

Outdoor play spaces have a crucial role, providing physical and developmental benefits at every age and stage. Don’t lose sight of this in pursuit of the ‘wow’ factor. It’s about using research-based methods to stimulate the senses and encourage kids to stretch their bodies, imaginations and social skills. And remember: a huge tower is brilliant for bigger kids but don’t forget mini-tramps or sand play for the littlies – as well as all-inclusive equipment and maybe some fitness training for the young at heart! Target all abilities and generations and you’re onto a winner.

 5. Be off-beat

Don’t stray too far to the ‘safe side’ with activities that are repetitive and predictable (think evenly-spaced steps, straight lines and conservative climbing nets). Injecting off-beat shapes and irregular lines (like wobbly wood), different challenges (like obstacle courses) and great opportunities for self-mastery (like twisting scramble nets) combine excitement with big pay-offs in confidence and decision-making. It’s absolutely possible to achieve the highest levels of compliance and safety, with the creativity and diversity that modern play spaces need if they’re going to thrive.

 6. Get set for game-changing designs

Inspired by nature, Ninja Warrior, fairytales and flying: our new products showcase is packed with never-before-seen ideas for playgrounds to rival the digital age! We up the ante like never before, with imagination and inspiration for every playground.

 > Be the first! Register here to receive a copy of our showcase: The Game-changers!