Planning a School Playground? Here’s all you need to know!

Planning a School Playground: Top Tips for Creating a Safe and Fun Environment

Planning a school playground can be a daunting task. The investment is significant and you want to be sure to make it wisely. Here’s all you need to know.

A school playground is much more than a place for children to expend energy. It’s an essential space for physical activity, social interaction and cognitive development.

Planning the perfect school playground requires careful thought and consideration to factors such as safety, age-appropriate design, best use of space, budgeting, and timescales. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key elements that contribute to creating a school playground that both excites and protects young learners.

Safety – the first priority in planning

The safety of children using the play space is the most crucial aspect of any playground design. It’s essential to ensure that the playground is designed to minimize risk and prevent accidents. Consulting with one of our playground experts is highly recommended for this phase.

Key Safety Aspects to Keep in Mind:

• Safety Surfacing: Hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt can result in injuries from slips and trips. Instead, opt for shock-absorbing materials such as Wetpour surfacing or Artificial Grass with underlay. These help cushion falls and can also contribute to the play area with their colours and textures.
• Free Fall Space: This refers to the area beneath equipment where a child might land after a fall. Make sure that there is sufficient space (according to the height of the equipment) with proper safety surfacing to minimise impact.
• Equipment Spacing: Playground equipment should be spaced out adequately to prevent overcrowding and allow for safe play. Ensure that there is enough room for children to play freely without collisions.
• Barriers and Fencing: If you are creating a public playground, ensure the it is fenced to prevent children from wandering off and from traffic hazards. Consider using gates with secure, childproof locks.

Age-Appropriate School Playground Design

Not all children have the same developmental needs, so it’s important to create a playground that offers age-appropriate play areas. This is particularly of note if your school caters for a wide age-range.

For instance, toddlers and younger children require softer, lower equipment designed to help them develop motor skills, balance, and coordination. Older children are likely to prefer more complex equipment, such as climbing structures or pyramid nets.

Design Tips for Different Age Groups:

• Preschooler & EYFS (2-5 years): Focus on small-scale structures, gentle slides, and interactive elements like sandboxes or water play areas. The equipment should be lower to the ground with wide steps and handrails for easy access.
• School-age children (5-12 years): Offer larger, more challenging equipment like climbing walls, slides, and multi-functional play structures that encourage imaginative play. Additionally, provide space for organised games, like ball courts or open grassy areas.
• Teens (12+ years): If your school caters to older students, consider adding fitness-oriented equipment or spaces for group games such as basketball and volleyball.

Maximise Outdoor Space Usage

Space is often at a premium, especially in urban areas. That’s why it’s essential to design a playground that makes maximum use of the available outdoor space. We’ve created a guide specifically for smaller play areas here.

Tips for Optimising School Playground Space:

• Zoning: Create distinct play zones for different types of activities. For example, designate a quieter area with benches and shaded spots for children to relax, while setting up an active play zone for high-energy games.
• Multi-use Equipment: Choose equipment that serves multiple purposes, like a play structure that combines climbing walls, slides, and balance beams, or an interactive playground that features elements like musical instruments or sensory panels.
• Natural Elements: Consider integrating natural play elements such as trees, rocks, logs, and hills into the playground design. Not only do these add variety to the space, but they also encourage children to engage with nature.
• Flow and Access: Ensure smooth flow between different play areas with clear pathways. Accessible paths for children with disabilities are also essential, so make sure to include ramps, wide pathways, and inclusive play structures. If your play area is primally for users with disabilities, we can share some great examples of spaces you would be interested in.

Budgeting and Timeline: Plan Ahead

A playground project can be a significant investment, so careful planning of both budget and timeline is necessary to ensure that the project is a success.

Budgeting Tips for a Play Area:

• Prioritise Needs: Start by listing the most essential components of the playground— equipment and surfacing. Once those are covered, you can allocate funds for additional features such as landscaping, benches, or shade structures, knowing you have the main aspect covered.
• Phased Implementation: If budget constraints are a concern, consider breaking the project into phases. You can start with the most essential elements and gradually expand the playground as funding allows. We regularly do this for schools, and design the space with clear cut-off points where we know we will be able to seamlessly ‘pick up’ where we left off!
• Consider Maintenance Costs: Most playgrounds and surfaces are minimal maintenance, but do require regular audits to ensure they keep up with safety and compliance requirements. Our playground consultants will be able to explain this in further detail.

School Playground Planning Timeline Tips:

• Planning and Design: Allow plenty of time for the design and consultation process. Work with a professional playground consultant to ensure that all safety, accessibility, and age-appropriate considerations are met.
• Construction Time: Depending on the size of the project, construction can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Be sure to factor in time for weather delays or unexpected issues.
• Inspection and Testing: After construction, the playground should be thoroughly inspected to ensure it meets safety standards. Once it passes inspection, the playground will be ready for use.

Planning a school playground – conclusion

Planning the perfect school playground is no small feat, but with the right approach, it can become an exciting and safe space for children to develop essential physical and social skills.

Keep safety at the forefront of your design, ensure the equipment is appropriate for the age group, make the most of your available space, and stick to a solid budget and timeline. By following these tips, you’ll create a playground that serves the needs of students and provides lasting enjoyment for years to come!