Play is an essential part of childhood. Daycare can be full of structured activities that help kids learn, and so children should also be given the opportunity for some unstructured, self-directed play. As children explore and develop, unstructured play allows them to be creative and discover the world in their own unique way. Free play is an essential supplement to academic learning that leads to full and rich development.
A lot goes into designing an early childhood playground, from choosing the right location to providing essential safety features. You must select age-appropriate play equipment and choose the best layout. However, designing a daycare playground is about more than just designing a physical space — it is about promoting growth, learning and creativity and providing a place where children can enjoy play to the fullest.
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There are two general types of play that children experience — structured and unstructured play. When children participate in classroom activities, gym class or other play that is led and organized by adults, this is structured play. Unstructured play, or “free play,” is what children experience on the playground when they can choose their own activities and explore how they wish. Because it promotes creativity and independence, free play offers benefits for children that structured play cannot. The unique benefits of free play help children develop important physical skills, along with social and cognitive skills.
Your play area can provide children with a unique opportunity for social, cognitive and physical growth when these development benefits are included in your design plans.
Creating the perfect daycare playground means filling it with play equipment that children will love while also keeping safety first. There are many important factors to consider when designing your playground, including the age group of the children playing on it and how many children will be on the playground at one time. You want to choose equipment that promotes growth and exploration while encouraging creativity. Your daycare equipment should be age-appropriate and safe while providing some challenge and risk.
Consider these factors to create a daycare outdoor play area that all children will enjoy.
Consider how many children will be using your playground at one time to determine how large your playground should be. Make sure your daycare playground layout provides adequate space for free and safe play. Include enough pieces of play equipment so that all children have access to join in the fun without equipment becoming overcrowded. Provide a variety of equipment and play spaces so children can stay occupied during playtime.
Whether the playground is in a daycare or preschool, you want to be mindful that the theme you choose is exciting for all ages. Some of the play area themes we offer are:
These themes can make the play area feel cohesive and encourage kids to engage in pretend play. For example, kids can pretend to explore outer space or go on a safari.
When planning your daycare playground design, follow the manufacturer’s specifications for how far apart to place equipment. Be sure to leave enough space between large play equipment so children playing on one piece of equipment do not interfere with children on other play structures. Generally, a 6-foot radius will be sufficient, but you may need more space for some types of equipment, such as swings.
For taller equipment, make sure trees or other overhead structures do not interfere. For moving equipment, such as swings or seesaws, position them on the edges of play areas to avoid collisions. Slide exits should also be located in low-traffic areas.
You may also want to consider placing the most popular pieces of equipment in different areas of your playground to avoid overcrowding in any single spot. Passive play areas, such as sandboxes, should be kept separate from areas of more active play. Your playground should also include some quiet areas for children who want to take a break from play or who may become overwhelmed by too much stimulation.
Be sure that all equipment selected is appropriate for the intended age group. Children of different ages have different developmental needs as well as play abilities. Younger children may enjoy greater stimulation from bright colors and sensory play equipment, while older children will enjoy more active and physically challenging play.
Make sure the size of the equipment is appropriate to the average height of the children that will be playing on it. This includes making steps or ledges small enough for children to climb and keeping the overall height of the equipment low enough to reduce injury from falls. When choosing play equipment for toddlers who are crawling or just learning to walk, it is especially important to include soft surfaces and reduce sharp edges. Little kids may also need things to hold onto when standing up.
In general, play equipment should be different for children under 2 years old, between 2 and 5, and older than 5 years old. Below are a few examples of appropriate equipment for each age group.
Equipment for children under 2 years old might include:
Kids between 2 and 5 years old can play on equipment such as:
Children older than 5 years old are ready for:
Children within the same age group will often develop at different paces, and not all equipment will be appropriate for every child. Your child care center’s playground design should keep all children in mind, providing both active and quiet spaces and varied equipment that offers different levels of challenge and accommodations.
Inclusive design can make all the difference between a negative and positive experience on the playground at a daycare center. A child with autism will likely feel more at ease on the playground when there’s a cozy, quiet space to retreat to at times. A child who uses a wheelchair for mobility will benefit from flat surfaces, wide paths and adequate space between play areas.
In addition to planning the right layout and choosing appropriate equipment, there are a few other safety considerations to keep in mind when designing your new daycare playground. These physical considerations will ensure your daycare playground is safe and comfortable for free play:
With a little creativity, you can create a daycare playground that will keep your children entertained all day and all year long. A great way to direct your design is to pick a theme that will encourage imaginative play on the playground.
Especially at young ages, pretend play is a major part of the way kids like to have fun. Pretend play is more than just fun, too — it helps kids process the world around them and develop critical life skills. Whether they’re playing house or pretending they’re on an archeological dig, acting like an adult can also be empowering and inspiring for children.
Theming can also simply look like a color scheme that makes the playground feel cohesive in its appearance. Fun colors can make a space more exciting to many children.
Let’s explore just a few daycare outdoor play area ideas and themes to get you inspired:
Once you have the big picture figured out, you can turn your attention to the details that will make your playground a great place for everyone at your daycare. Here are a few tips for creating a unique and engaging play space for any age group:
From swings and climbers to benches and slides, Playworld has everything you need to design your perfect daycare playground for any age group. Our daycare playground equipment is designed to encourage social and cognitive development while providing a fun and safe experience for all children. Choose from a variety of colorful and sensory equipment designed with children in mind:
At Playworld, we are proud to offer creative and innovative commercial playground equipment that kids truly love. When developing new equipment, we test each prototype with children and watch how they engage with the equipment. We take their feedback seriously and adjust our products to provide the most engaging experience.
We know that play is about much more than simply having fun — it is a crucial part of a child’s development, including physical, cognitive and social skills. With bright colors, textures and noisemakers, our equipment engages all of the senses to thrill and delight children. Our large play equipment and play stations are designed to promote social interactions. Children can engage in role-playing and imaginative play, allowing playground equipment to transform into castles, cities, mountains or houses.
Physical development is an essential part of play as children learn tactile skills, balance and coordination. They build strength and coordination in their early years that will serve as a foundation for future growth. Children can enjoy a range of motion such as swinging, spinning, sliding, climbing and jumping. Our equipment is also designed for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy. We incorporate cozy spaces for children on the autism spectrum as well as wheelchair-accessible spaces.
All of our equipment is designed by expert play engineers who are trained in child development and architectural design. They study how kids interact with toys and equipment and put that knowledge to work in each piece of Playworld equipment. We are constantly improving our designs to encourage more meaningful interactions and more fun. Manufactured from premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship, our equipment is of the highest quality.
Because we have been in the industry since 1971, we have watched generations of children grow up. We have seen the positive impact that play has on a child’s development and believe in the value of free, unstructured play for young people. We believe that play is a fundamental right of childhood, so we build playgrounds that give children the opportunity for true excitement, joy and wonder.
Playworld offers a wide variety of play equipment that is perfect for any age group and any budget. Whether you want to update your equipment or build an awesome play space from the ground up, our play experts are here to help. Contact us today for more information about building the best playground or to request a quote. You can also browse our daycare playground equipment online to get started designing a dream playground for your daycare.