Offer a place for children and adults who seek fun and break. By letting children play in the playground, parents can take a break from the brief separation from their children. Parents can also get mental relaxation while their children enjoy the fun of games. For kids, playgrounds are much more fun than visiting attractions.
Attract more visitors. Installing amusement equipment in scenic spots can attract visitors, especially families with children. They will consider this point when they choose places to visit. And if there is a large playground in one scenic spot, teenagers who like fun can also be attracted.
Benefit children’s growth. Firstly, playgrounds offer children a place to do exercise and make them move, thus can help children stay healthy and stay away from obesity. Secondly, in the process of contacting with other people, children’s skills can be developed, such as social skills, imagination, problem-solving, memory, connecting, reasoning, collaborating, sharing and compromising others.
Different from building an outdoor playground in a community, playground in a scenic spot must fit the theme of the scenic spot and help enhance the image of this place. Besides, the playground must be full of fun so that it can hold children, otherwise they would just pester their parents to leave here.
Swings. Swing is one of the most popular and common playground equipment. While it may seem like a simple activity, it offers a wide range of physical, social and cognitive advantages. By keeping the swing swinging, the children will discover the regularity of the swing and find a way to make the swing swing. In addition, swinging usually requires two people to cooperate, which can exercise children's social skills. There are may types of swings, such as 5000 series swings, Hedra swing frames, multi-user inclusive swings, single post swings, arch swings, tire swings, toddler swings and swing seats.
Slides. Slides are also one of the most popular facilities in playgrounds. Children need to use stairs or climbing frames to reach the top of the slide, which builds coordination and strength of the arms and legs. The process of sliding down also requires the participation of the vestibule, which allows children to feel how the body moves in space and resists gravity, thereby improving children's awareness of bodily functions. Waiting in line can also exercise children's patience. Playground slides can range from rumbling, bumpy, sensory-filled playground slides, to spiral, loping playground slides.
Climbers. Climbers can exercise children’s arm, leg and back muscles. As children climb up, they have to think about where to step on to help them reach the top, which also develops their hand-foot coordination and problem-solving skills. Climbers vary in shapes and sizes, including rock climbing walls, DNA climbers and net climbers.
Crawl tubes. Crawl tubes make children explore and discover a new environment. Playground crawl tubes also vary in all shapes, sizes and colors, ranging from straight crawl tunnels to curved and themed tubes.
Merry go round/whirls.Merry go round is fun for children of all ages, it allows children to experience the feeling of weightlessness and arouses their boundless imagination. It calls for interaction among the children, together to make the whirl turn and enjoy the fun of spinning. The merry go round includes various shapes and sizes, including inclusive whirl, space whirl, merry go all, one-piece platform whirl and miniature whirl.
Balancing. Balance beams can exercise children's balance, concentration and strength. It's safe and fun for kids of all ages. Crossing a short balance beam may seem easy, but it turns out to be a bit difficult in practice. Children need to think carefully about each step, and at the same time control the muscle force. There are various balancing beams, such as forked long balance beam, square boulder, inchworm, walk the plank, curved balance beam and graduated balance beam.
Ziplines. Playground ziplines allow children to experience the feeling and excitement of flying. It attracts every little adventurer to challenge himself and discover his potential abilities. Playground ziplines not only promote athletic ability, but also improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and provide opportunities for creative and social interaction.
Sand& water. They are designed for pre-school children who are not fit for engaging in other equipment with elder children.
Envision your playground.
First, determine which age group the playground is intended for. Children of different ages have different safety and developmental needs. Generally speaking, playgrounds are divided into three different age groups: toddlers, preschoolers and school children. You need to choose playground equipment of the right size and difficulty based on this. If you also want to appeal to adults, fit in the gym equipment. Second, you have to consider the size of the playground and how much traffic it will accommodate. Third, determine the theme of the playground, which will be related to the raw materials of the playground equipment. For example, if you want to design a playground that is close to the theme of nature, then the equipment is best made of wood.
Access your site.
You’d better ask for a design consultant to finish this step. First, make sure there is at least six feet of distance between each device. There needs to be more space around the swings and slides for the kids to move around. This determines the size of the playground. Second, check whether the ground structure of the playground is safe to ensure that there will be no collapse or water accumulation. Also, keep in mind that the grounds of the site are not wells or cables. Third, examine the environment around the site. Remove vegetation that attracts mosquitoes or is toxic, and incorporate shade-providing vegetation as part of the playground. If the site is next to a busy street, river, or other potentially dangerous area, consider adding a guardrail to the playground to keep children in a safe area. Playgrounds can be set up near restaurants or restrooms, which will be extremely convenient for parents. Of course, if you want to create a refreshing environment for the children, you can also set the playground on the grass surrounded by greenery. Fourth, consider sun exposure. Parents won't approve of children playing in playgrounds under the scorching sun, especially in the suffocating summer months. Keep metal equipment in as cool a place as possible, especially metal slides, to prevent children from getting burned. If this is not possible, shading equipment needs to be added according to the actual situation.
After completing the playground idea and site survey, you can make a playground equipment list. First of all, you need to know that according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), children of different ages are suitable for different sports equipment:
Toddler (ages 6 to 23 months): Climbing equipment under 32 inches high, ramps, spring riders and bucket seat swings
Preschool (ages 2 to 5): Rung ladders, stairways, tire swings and merry-go-rounds
School-age (ages 5 to 12): Belt swings, sliding poles, a variety of climbers and spiral slides
Secondly, regardless of the age group, playground equipment needs to include the following 4 categories as much as possible: physical play, sensory play, imaginative play and inclusive play.
After you've identified your equipment, start budgeting. The budget scope mainly includes the following parts: playground equipment cost, playground pavement, installation fee, and site preparation fee.
In this process, you need to turn to professionals to design the placement of specific equipment. When installing the equipment, pay attention to the precautions in accordance with the product manual. Pay attention to time control. According to PTO Today, a typical playground project lasts six to nine months, not including the time it takes for fundraising.
Maintain your playground.
Make a schedule.
Check whether there is broken equipment, missing hardware or loose anchoring.Once you spot any damage, make repairs quickly.
Clean trash and disinfect the equipment by following the product manual.
Scenic Play Equipment: Factors to Remember
Playgrounds need to be inclusive. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), newly designed or constructed play areas must meet certain accessibility guidelines. At least one of each type of ground play component in the playground must be on an accessible route.
Safety is the first. Checking the playground equipment regularly is necessary.
Make sure the playground contain age-appropriate equipment.
Make sure the playground contain open-ended equipment. Muti-purpose objects can promote children’s imagination.
Fundraising Ideas for Your Scenic Playground Equipment
Turn to the government. As it is a scenic spot and all positive investments in this scenic spot will benefit the government, so you can try to apply for funding from the government.
Recycling. As there are many tourists in the park, this is a good opportunity to call on everyone to protect the environment together. Parents can lead by example and set an example for their children. The funds raised after recycling are used to build playgrounds for children, which motivates children to participate in activities.
Host marathons. It would be great if the attraction had a lake, and you could plan a parent-child marathon around the lake to involve the surrounding residents and tourists alike. Let the children promote the dream of building a playground while enjoying the joy of sports.
Fundraising directly on the official website of the scenic spot.
