Creating a playground, whether for a school, daycare, or any other space where children frequent, requires some planning. There are a number of factors to consider, including the ages of the children playing there, the drainage situation, and how much space you have to work with. However, there are certain things that need to be designed.

Proper Drainage

There’s nothing worse than getting on a swing and having a huge puddle under it – at least, if you’re a child. Poor drainage can create holes and puddles in places where there should be none and makes the playground much less appealing. To prevent this, you need to ensure that there is proper drainage throughout the site.

Challenging Structures

Children enjoy a challenge and that’s what you need to focus on when choosing play structures. There should be at least a few ways to stretch their abilities and their imagination. Climbable structures are ideal for this, but you should include slides, swings, and more.

It’s also helpful to have some open ended structures that let children determine what they’re for. If you make everything look like a fire truck or similar, it limits the imagination. Leave things undefined and children will think up all sorts of fun games to use the structures for.

Soft Surfaces

Of course, while children are exploring their limits, they’re bound to fall from time to time. That’s why soft surfaces have become a normal part of playgrounds. You’ll find that you need to work within local regulations to ensure the ground is soft enough that no one will be seriously injured if they fall. 

Soft surfaces may be anything from sand and woodchip to soft manmade materials. The idea is to cushion the fall and prevent injury where possible.

Add Surprises

Little surprises here and there will help make your park an even bigger success. Tunnels, secret peepholes, and little drawings or details in hidden areas will make your playground even more exciting than the average play space. Children will enjoy searching for the surprises and looking for the places they can tuck their own treats and secrets away.

Incorporate Nature

Nature has already created some pretty amazing additions to any play area. If there’s a hill already in place, make use of it by planting some grass and encouraging children to roll. You could also add a slide that lets them take an alternate route to the bottom of the hill.

You can also incorporate things like stumps and logs into your existing structures, making them more exciting. Look around and see what you can use and what inspires you.

Ready to lay the foundation for your playground? Contact D McCarthy Bros to learn how we can help you with playground surfaces.