One of the major challenges of planning a playground is figuring out ways to appeal to kids of all ages. Since play needs to be both age and developmentally appropriate, is it possible for a single playground to cater to every child’s needs? Can you find outdoor play equipment that will engage older children? Infants and toddlers, preschool-aged children and school-aged children require different qualities in their play and bring varying physical, cognitive, and social skills to the playground. Despite the many differences and needs of these age groups, a playground can offer equipment and fun for every child to enjoy.
The best way to design a playground that meets the needs of all children is to include several play structures. Younger children are less at risk of being accidentally knocked down by older kids, and the structures can cater to the needs of each specific age group. As kids get older, they can transition to the other structures and enjoy the same playground through their entire adolescence.
Keep in mind that playground planning for all ages goes beyond choosing the right play structures. Playgrounds also need site furnishings like picnic tables and benches where kids can rest and socialize and adults can supervise them. The ideal amount of seating for your playground will depend on its size. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two benches or seats for each playground structure. It’s also important to make sure there’s seating in each section of your playground.
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Infants and toddlers up to 2 years old display varying levels of mobility. At this age, children will crawl, scoot, pull-up, and walk around their environment. Kids at this age are very interested in exploring their surroundings and rely heavily on sensory exploration using their eyes, feet, hands, and mouths. They require the space to explore, but they also need to be watched closely. Ensure your playground has adequate seating and shade for caregivers and toddlers who need a break.
A few age-appropriate play activities for infants and toddlers include:
Playworld has equipment for many of these activities, including:
Activities for this age group should be kept primarily at ground level and their play area should be kept separate from older children who may accidentally knock them down.
Infants and toddlers still struggle with balance, which makes proper playground surfacing especially important for them. Consider choosing loose-fill or pour-in-place surfacing that will keep kids safe. You’ll also want to consider the shade structures used for this area of your playground. Toddlers can be susceptible to dangers from prolonged exposure to the sun, and they can hurt themselves on playground equipment that has become too hot, so you’ll want shade structures that protect young children and your equipment from the elements. Proper shade structures can provide safety to playground equipment and visitors by:
Since adult supervision is vital for this age group, your playground should cater to the needs of the adult caregivers, too. Include benches and picnic tables under shade structures where caregivers can sit close to the play area and supervise comfortably. Every piece of equipment should be easily visible from this seating area so caregivers can watch their kids at all times.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when designing a toddler area in a playground for this age group:
If you want your playground to cater to the needs and interests of infants and toddlers, we recommend searching through our catalog of activities and components to get started.
Like infants and toddlers, preschool-aged children should have a space of their own that is sized appropriately but also a little physically challenging. Play should promote the development of their fine motor skills and socialization. Because this age group tends to imitate older peers and take risks, they need to be monitored closely.
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At this age, kids move quickly from activity to activity as they tend to have limited attention spans. They enjoy activities that involve climbing, imitation, and dramatic play. A few age-appropriate activities for preschoolers age 2 to 5 include:
With Playworld, you can find many of these activities, including:
These activities can also include ramps with pieces children can grasp, low tables where children can play with water or sand, flexible spring rockers, and low platforms with several access points. Equipment should engage young children’s senses and be inviting and safe. Children shouldn’t have access to equipment that requires them to climb too high and activities shouldn’t be too difficult or complex for them.
To create a playground that’s appealing to children of this age, be sure to include bright colors, fun sounds, animal themes, and nature themes that will make kids happy while they learn. You’ll also want to make sure your equipment is accessible for children of all abilities. Place some activities at ground level and others higher up.
As you design a playground for this age group, keep a few ideas in mind:
If you want your playground to cater to the needs and interests of preschool-aged children, search through our catalog of activities and components to get started on planning your playground.
Skills vary greatly among school-aged children as they quickly learn and build their skills. Play in this age range becomes increasingly complex, and kids continually seek bigger physical challenges. Children around 12 years old are usually twice the size of the younger kids in this group and have almost eight times the amount of grip strength.
Kids in this age range have social skills that are well developed, so social interaction during this age generally involves playing games and competing with peers. Peer pressure and high energy levels can result in aggression and conflict.
Kids in this age range are developing and honing their coordination, balance, strength, and gross and fine motor skills. They need to be challenged to stay engaged physically and mentally.
A few age-appropriate activities for children in this age range include:
Playworld has equipment for many of these activities, including:
Aside from outdoor play equipment, play areas for older children should include open spaces for children to play ball games and run around. A play space should challenge kids at this age physically and mentally to keep them engaged.
As with toddlers and preschool-aged children, you’ll want to use surfacing like pour-in-place or loose fill that will prevent injuries caused by falls, and shade structures to protect children from hot equipment and burns.
No matter how old they get, children still need supervision. Including benches and shade structures for teachers and other caregivers nearby will allow adults to supervise comfortably. You can also use these spaces to ensure your playground is inclusive of all children:
School-aged children have a wide variety of needs and interests, so we recommend taking a look through our many activities and components for this age group to get started on your playground design. Explore some ideas for this age group:
Adolescents and adults can all benefit from using playgrounds. Elementary school students aren’t the only ones who need a break during the day to let out excess energy and briefly rest their minds. Adolescents may not necessarily want to use the monkey bars or play tag, but they may benefit a lot from a break during the day that allows them to get some fresh air and physical activity and engage in socialization outside of the classroom. Anxiety and depression have increased sharply among teens in the past decade, and one in every five students from ages 6 to 19 are considered obese, so adding breaks for physical activity on a playground may help with adolescents’ mental and physical health.
Adults are also beginning to realize that fitness is an important component of a longer, healthier life. Outdoor fitness equipment can be equipped in fitness playgrounds for children and adults of all ages. By emphasizing fitness in playgrounds, older children and adults are more likely to be interested in engaging with playground equipment. Fitness playgrounds also offer additional benefits, such as:
Playground fitness equipment from Playworld is designed to ensure safe and healthy exercises for adolescents and adults.
With fitness playgrounds, adults don’t just have to sit on the sidelines and watch the children have fun. Adults can have fun and get active at the playground, too. At Playworld, we’re proud to be a premier manufacturer and designer of outdoor fitness playgrounds and equipment, and we offer many products to incorporate in your playground:
Equipment in a fitness playground can offer a total body workout, from legs and arms to hips and core. Fitness and wellness equipment is designed for health, so by including this equipment in your playground, you’ll be promoting health and wellness for the entire community.
All age-specific areas should be separated from others using buffer zones, such as pedestrian paths, benches, decorative fencing, landscaping, or picnic tables. All play areas should be equipped with drinking fountains and seating areas and should be visible for caregivers who are monitoring children.
Besides a space to get fit, why else would older children or adults want to visit a fitness playground?
Consider these ideas as you design a playground for older kids:
If you want your playground to be inclusive for all age groups and abilities, you can search through our catalog of activities and components to get started on designing the playground that’s perfect for your community.
It’s also important to ensure a fitness playground area has seating and other site amenities. Older kids still need some supervision, and anyone using fitness equipment is likely to need somewhere to rest between exercises or before heading home. Benches and other furnishings can meet this need while acting as a buffer to separate the fitness area from the parts of your playground designed for younger visitors.
A playground that appeals to people of all ages is a great way to bring families and the community together. An all-age playground is great for socialization and it’s also a great place for everyone to get active and fit. Family and friends can encourage and motivate each other while having fun. Caregivers can keep a close eye on rambunctious infants, toddlers, and preschoolers without interfering in their playtime. School-aged children and adolescents can socialize, take a midday break from school, and get active outdoors. Everyone benefits from a community playground, so why not get started on planning yours today?
Playworld is committed to creating high-quality fitness structures. We help communities throughout America come together every day at our playgrounds. Browse the fitness systems we offer and discover for yourself why Playworld is the right partner for designing your community playground. You can request a quote from Playworld today.
