Inclusive Climbing Equipment For Playgrounds

As most parents already know, children love to climb. Climbing is a valuable activity for kids as it activates the planning and problem-solving parts of the brain and helps kids develop physical strength and develop motor skills. Yet the climbing apparatus in playgrounds is not always easy for children with disabilities to enjoy. Choosing a playground climber with inclusive play in mind can help you create an exciting facility that’s fun and accessible for all.

5 Types of Climbers You Can Use in an Inclusive Playground

 Inclusivity offers as many play options as possible for curious kids of all abilities. Put climbing the playground equipment on the agenda for kids with mobility challenges by providing different difficulty levels. Here’s how you can do it with Playworld.

Climbing playground equipment should offer diverse levels of challenge to allow children who move with effort to participate. Explore five types of inclusive climbers from Playworld below.

1. Climbing Nets

Climbing a net presents a unique set of challenges compared to a traditional metal structure. As the children clamber up the web, the net will move, encouraging them to find imaginative pathways to the top. This type of play helps them develop spatial awareness. A freestanding climbing net like the Denali 4m provides much more climbing space. With this net, up to 15 kids can climb together! You may even envision a larger group, and for that, you could consider a twin set.

Children aged 5 – 12 can enjoy scaling these massive netted climbers or use them as anything they can dream of in pretend play. Younger kids (aged 2 – 5) should hop on the Denali 2. No matter which net you choose, know that it will last a long time. All Denali ropes are made from nylon-wrapped stainless steel designed to withstand harsh weather and endless play. Little ones who require walking aids could crawl underneath or hold themselves upright against the ropes.

2. Tunnel Climbers

If you want to make a playground that’s inclusive for children with ASD or ADHD, you might want to add a few tunnels to the design. Kids with sensory challenges can use the dark safety of the tunnel to escape loud play outside and relax for a while. The tunnel can become a calm zone away from bright lights and colors that eases children away from overstimulation.

When nobody is relaxing inside, a playground tunnel can also be a fun object to climb. Hopping and scaling hollow objects like our log-shaped Lumberjack or space-themed Moonrock are fun for kids of all ages and abilities. All these climbers are reinforced with glass fibers to help them withstand the weight of many kids at once.

3. Climbing Domes

Provide play spaces at ground level with a climbing dome. Kids who use wheelchairs can gain access to the dome from below and join in the fun from the inside. Little ones using wheelchairs can also discover the dome from the outside and move around it comfortably. The Unity Dome allows kids who use mobility support to hold on and move around the toy by pulling themselves up on the bottom rings.

A playground dome climber can also include kids on crutches in the excitement. They can use the sides of the dome to support walking, which helps them build confidence and strength through play. Children who have more opportunities to socialize with kids of different ability levels learn and understand inclusivity from a young age. It also teaches empathy and encourages the child’s natural desire to help others.

4. Climbing Walls

A playground climbing wall enables strength development and muscle toning, plus gaining self-confidence and -esteem. To make your wall available to more, opt for one that allows safe playtime fun for kids of diverse abilities. For example, with the Rock Blocks Stalagmites wall, kids with mobility challenges would love hiding out under the lower ledges or moving around the 360° configuration.

You can make climbing walls accessible for children with visual disabilities by opting for tactile designs with oversized grips, such as the GEO Climber. Another way to provide safe play spaces is to get a three-dimensional climbing wall that protects young bodies from the sides as they ascend. The Quad Junction climber from the Adventure Series does just that.

5. Animal Climbers

Incorporate a few animal-shaped climbers to give kids an imagination boost on your playground. Recognizable forms like bunnies or frogs can be less intimidating to children with special needs. Younger kids or those with mobility impairments may also find low-to-the-ground animal climbers easier to scale. The kids will love the smooth feel and friendly colors of the glass fiber-reinforced polymer—our material of choice for playground animals.

Remember, a good climbing playground should have a mix of equipment that facilitates different types of play. Adding a few animals around the main structure is an excellent way to make your playground more multifunctional and inclusive.

Adding Sensory Elements for More Inclusive Play

Not all kids are equally excited about the climbing apparatus in playgrounds. Those with special needs may be more excited by a sensory experience they can enjoy without others joining in. Textured surfaces or objects that make fascinating sounds can be precious to children on the spectrum.

For example, a Sensory Connections panel adds the element of sound to pretend play and games on the Unity Dome. Kids can use this panel to make their own music and discover different sounds. Textured panels add tactile stimulation, too!

If your playground climbing wall includes a PlayCubes^® Set, the Sensory Kit will provide hours of fun. Kids with ASD may particularly enjoy the interactive spinners and clickers that help them engage with their environment in a safe and enjoyable way.

Why Surfaces and Material Choices Matter in Inclusive Playgrounds

Children with physical disabilities are more at risk of injury on playgrounds with uneven surfaces, so the ground material matters. Make sure you install a sturdy platform of relative hardness (stay away from gravel or grass) under your tunnel or climbing dome. All kids should be able to navigate the playground without assistance from their caregivers.

For the climbing structure itself, choose smooth, kid-friendly materials that provide good grip and don’t get too warm in the sun. Performance plastics like our glass fiber-reinforced polymer are ideal for outdoor playgrounds where durability is a concern.

Add Inclusive Climbing to Your Playground

Make playtime accessible to children of all abilities with Playworld. Our climbing apparatus is available worldwide – find a local representative to get a quote today.

Benefits of Climbers

Playworld offers many fantastic and adventurous climbing experiences for kids of all ages. When you install climbers in your playground, you support childhood development in four key areas: