Physical play constitutes activities where a child swings, spins, jumps and climbs. Most people know this type of play is important for children because it makes them physically fit and keeps them healthier. Specifically, when participating in physical play activities, children increase muscle strength and endurance, strengthen their bones and boost their metabolism. They also refine and develop their motor fitness skills, including speed, agility, power, coordination and balance.
What might be news to many is that the benefits of physical play go much further than just building muscles and burning calories — it helps develop the brain, regulate anxiety and teaches various important skills.
Physical play involves activities that encourage kids to move around and exercise. It encompasses small and large movements, from throwing or kicking a ball to taking a walk. Active play is an integral part of early child development, as it helps kids burn calories, maintain physical fitness, release pent-up energy, reduce stress and socialize with others. It aims to build strong, healthy and happy children.
Some examples of physical play include:
When a child explores a playground, it’s about more than having fun. They can help their bodies and minds develop as they navigate various equipment and play games with other children. Kids of all ages can use play as a way to keep their bodies healthy and establish a positive association with exercise.
As kids grow, their bodies grow and develop with them. During this time, physical play can help keep their bodies healthy, from boosting general mobility to reducing the risk of diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Physical play encourages children to exercise and use all parts of their bodies. Some health benefits of physical play include:
Physical play can help establish healthy bodies in children and can help lower the chance of getting some diseases in adolescence and adulthood. However, playtime can also help develop various muscles and parts of the brain and increase their control over their movements and actions.
Physical activity like playing on the playground can impact mental health as well. When kids exercise regularly through play, they can reduce depression and anxiety and increase their self-confidence. Activities like rocking and swinging have a calming effect and can help regulate anxiety. This benefit allows kids to care for their minds as well as their bodies.
Kids who exercise through play can experience increased academic performance and critical thinking abilities. Kids can focus better when they can regularly play and exercise, allowing them to pay attention in school. Further, exercise in children can lead to increased problem-solving skills. Activities like climbing can help children practice important cognitive skills such as memory, problem-solving and visualization.
Playtime is a great opportunity for many children to practice and build essential social skills. Playgrounds are gathering places for people of different backgrounds, allowing children to learn how to communicate and empathize with other children their age. They can practice teamwork and active listening when they play together, which they can apply to other situations, like school.
The benefits of physical play are so crucial to a child’s development that it is imperative playground designers ensure children of all abilities have the opportunity to spin, slide, roll, swing, climb and jump. Playworld’s Inclusive Play Design Guide is full of ideas for selecting playground equipment and making adaptations that help a designer meet this goal.
Here are a few ideas to incorporate in your playground design:
There are many more ideas included in the Inclusive Play Design Guide. You can download a free copy of the Guide to incorporate ideas that will best fit what you have planned for your playground and the kids that will use it. What ideas do you have to ensure that all children have the chance to play on a playground?
Physical play is an important way that children can exercise, helping them to build strong bones and muscles. However, play can lead to important cognitive and mental health benefits as well, so designing a playground that encourages physical play is essential for childhood development.
Playworld can help you explore the benefits of physical play on the playground. Our playground sets and pieces encourage physical play through dynamic pieces that support many types of moment and motor skills. We also design fitness equipment for playgrounds that older children can use for physical play and better their personal health while having fun.
With decades of experience, we understand the importance of playgrounds for health and social reasons. When you partner with Playworld for your playground equipment, you can trust us to provide you with high-quality, durable equipment.
Request a quote from Playworld today.
