Learn how to select commercial playground equipment depending on age groups, accessibility needs, and budgets.
Choosing playground equipment for schools can be a daunting task, due to the overwhelming amount of options available.
However, a decision like this is incredibly crucial because it directly affects the school and the student's development during recreation time. It is important to carefully consider each factor that involves playground design to find commercial playground equipment that suits your school's needs and keeps your students safe while they play.
In this guide, we will dive into 3 important factors that must be explored to choose commercial play equipment that will cater to your student's needs, transform your school, and fulfill your vision while staying within your budget.
Let’s create a play space that is engaging, creative, and safe!
First and foremost, it is important to consider what play structures are age-appropriate for your students.
An effective school playground should be stimulating, inclusive, and safe. You will want to choose a challenging structure, yet achievable so children stay engaged—and are never frustrated or bored.
Younger children should have more low-level commercial playground equipment that focuses on sensory development and fine motor skills. Older kids should have more advanced equipment that challenges their coordination, social skills, and stamina levels (with less adult supervision).
Let’s look at each age level, to determine what equipment would be best suited for their developmental needs.
Children 5 years old and younger are in a critical stage of growth for their fine motor skills, physical activity, and cognitive skills.
Play equipment that is perfect for this age includes low, crawl-friendly structures like platforms, tunnels, and gentle slopes that provide opportunities for physical activity and exploration. Swings and slides are also great for this age group, as long as they have appropriate safety features such as handrails, supportive seating, and restraints.
Pictured below is a recent Zoom recreation project for a preschool (0-5 age group). The preschool playground equipment features sensory walls, slides, and a plethora of colors and shapes to stimulate young minds.
The 5 to 12 age group would enjoy more challenging structures like climbers, taller slides, and dynamic net play structures. This kind of play equipment will elevate motor skills, coordination, and self-confidence.
Below is a playground project for an elementary school with a multitude of taller slides and intricate climbing structures more fit for an older age group.
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As children reach 13 years of age, it can be more challenging to capture their attention with play equipment. They typically need more adult-level play that is adventurous and novel.
Zoom Recreation recommends advanced net climbers and rope courses for this age group. This play equipment allows older children to explore, go at their own pace, and play independently or with a group.
Depending on the physical demographics of your students, there must be ADA-accessible equipment to keep inclusivity throughout the school. An accessible playground ensures that all students, including those with disabilities, can participate and enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.
School playground equipment should adhere to accessibility standards and regulations to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility aids, and other special needs. Features like ramps, wide pathways, and adaptive swings should be incorporated.
In addition to selecting the location for your playground, it's essential to take into account the actual land area available for your project. Safety regulations, such as those from the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), require a six-foot-wide safety barrier around playground equipment, which can affect the usable space.
If your land area is limited, consider opting for individual playground structures instead of large set pieces. Arrange them strategically to maximize space utilization while adhering to ASTM guidelines. You can still create an engaging play area in a compact space by including space-efficient options like the funnel ball game.
For those fortunate enough to have a larger land plot, you have more flexibility in terms of design. However, be prepared for a potentially higher budget and increased surface area requirements. On the positive side, you'll have more freedom in structuring the playground and can incorporate open spaces for active play.
Zoom Recreation is often chosen as a favored playground construction company because of the team’s ability to maximize play in spaces that have limited and restricted dimensions.
Zoom can find playground design solutions unique to every seemingly challenging space.
Finally, your budget must be determined before finalizing your playground equipment selection.
Luckily, once the budget is pinpointed after discussing it with your school board you won’t have much else to worry about! Zoom Recreation will do the heavy work to determine which equipment will fit within your budget, while still achieving your desired design for your school playground.
Submit a form with your budget range, project details, and contact information to get building!
Zoom Recreation strives to create efficient recreational spaces and provide exceptional customer service. Superior awarded us their highest President's Award and Gold Club Awards two years in a row.
Contact usAs the exclusive representative of Superior Recreational Products in your local area, Zoom is committed to recommending, providing and installing only the top products for all our customers.
