Continuing Education

Our Continuing Education courses help you design dynamic play solutions that will unite your entire community. Access pre-recorded, on-demand courses through our online learning management system, or join our live webinars. Both types of learning experiences are available for everyone, at no cost.

Note: if you are interested in participating in our Inclusive Play Training Program, more information can be found here.

On-Demand Courses  Live Webinar

Accreditation

All courses are free and approved through ASLA’s Landscape Architecture Continuing Education System (LA CES) for LA CES 1.0 PDH/HSW accreditation*. Landscape architects and other professionals are welcome to use these courses to maintain their accreditation.

*To receive accreditation, you must pass the quiz at the end of each course.

Live Courses

Sign up for one of our upcoming live Continuing Education courses below.

Playful Curb Appeal: Industrial Design 101 – March 21st @1PM ET

When you drive by a playground, what makes you take a second look? In this course, you will learn what allure draws observers, dissecting aesthetics’ impact on emotions and design. We will explore the impact of color, line, tone, texture, scent, sound, and image. Dive deeply into the elements that explain why the visual impact of your play pieces is as important as the equipment itself.  Learn to harmonize visual appeal with child development and community engagement in playground design. Elevate your skills to create captivating, well-balanced play environments.

Upon completing this course you’ll be able to:

  • Define the 3 fundamental layers of design and how they correspond to the end-user experience.
  • Describe how color affects our perception of a product.
  • Describe how industrial/aesthetic design impacts an overall play experience and, ultimately, your (or your client’s) brand.

REGISTER

On-Demand Courses

With unlimited access to on-demand courses, our learning management system allows you to learn on your own schedule, and at your own pace.

For first-time visitors, choose “Sign Up” to register. (Please note there is a multi-step process for registering.) For returning visitors, choose “Log In”, and enter your saved username/password. Select “View Course Descriptions” to browse our available courses..

SIGN UP  VIEW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS  LOG IN

Instructions to Sign-Up to our On-Demand Learning Program

On-Demand Course Descriptions

Addressing Ableism Through Inclusive Playground Design

After decades of design shortcomings, playgrounds that account for the presence and diversity of childhood disability are on the rise. This course explores how to…

Read More

10 Steps to an Autism-Friendly Playground

According to the CDC, about 1 in 44 children has autism. This number has been on the rise over the years, and it’s estimated that…

Read More

Best Practices for Design and Specification of Fabric Shade

Never before have human beings been so sedentary, nor spent so much time indoors. One obstacle to being outdoors is sun exposure – healthy in…

Read More

Combatting Trauma with Playful Spaces

All children deserve to grow, play, and thrive in a safe environment. Unfortunately, the society within which we all live is filled with places, conditions,…

Read More

Community Engagement: A Case Study

Kids Cove—a beloved community playground in Marquette, Michigan—showed clear signs of deterioration after two generations of service. A group of volunteers identified the need for…

Read More

Creating A Unique Playground Using Hill Slides

More and more landscape architects are exploring using hills and mounds to create height on a playground, but it isn’t always simple.  While there are…

Read More

Creating Extraordinary Playgrounds

What does it take to create an extraordinary playground?  What strategies should you put into place so your new playground is visited by families from…

Read More

Creating Intriguing Outdoor Playspaces

The design of outdoor space influences how children use their environments for play, exploration, and learning. Outdoor spaces and places that children have access to…

Read More

Creating Outdoor Environments for Young Children

Magic happens on a well-designed early childhood playground, allowing for stimulating and challenging play experiences that meet children’s ongoing developmental needs. The first five years…

Read More

Designing a Nature Playground

Nature play has been a hot topic for many years. You’ve probably seen some wonderful natural play spaces and some that make you wonder how…

Read More

Designing Inclusive Playspaces

Regardless of ability, kids should be able to experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits that come with developmentally- and age-appropriate play activities. This course…

Read More

Designing Social and Engaging Playgrounds

Social and engaging elements are critical components of an inclusive playground. Some children are capable of playing with their peers without any prompting, but others…

Read More

Explore Inclusive Playgrounds

This course will examine successful inclusive playgrounds around the USA—from New York to Nevada. We’ll identify common design elements that help make these playgrounds inclusive….

Read More

Fundraising and the Landscape Architect

This course will enable you, a landscape architect, to provide ongoing advice and direction to customers undertaking the complex and time-consuming task of raising funds…

Read More

Increasing Play Value with Surfacing

Safety and accessibility surfacing is required in all public playgrounds. It’s also true that surfacing consumes a significant portion of the playground budget. So, how…

Read More

Piaget and the Playground

The benefits of playing on a playground are well known. Children get exercise, build up their core gross muscles, and practice balancing as well as…

Read More

Power of Play

Play is an elusive concept to define, and it happens in ways that are often difficult to quantify. Yet, play has the power to bring…

Read More

Swings in the 21st Century

Swings stimulate a child’s sensory system and help with brain development, but they take up a lot of space in a playground design. Are they…

Read More

The Schoolyard Playground—Inclusive, Active, and Fun

By the time students complete elementary school, they will have spent as many as 1,300 hours on the school playground. Children play differently on a…

Read More

Urban Playground: Child-Friendly Planning and Design

What type of cities do we want our children to grow up in? Car-dominated, noisy, polluted and devoid of nature? Or walkable, welcoming, and green?…

Read More

Youth Participation in Playground Design

Engaging youth in the playground design process can empower youth and create a more meaningful design. But, most of all, it’s fun! This course will…

Read More