Playground Equipment for Schools: Designs & Safety

Taking on a playground design and construction project for schools in and around Baltimore and the state of Maryland is a daunting task. There are plenty of hurdles to clear just to get to the point where you can pick out equipment and design the space in a way that will serve children successfully for years to come. Of course, the hard work required along the way is worth it when you see the joy and excitement that the finished product can deliver. Let’s take a quick look at some of the considerations you’ll want to keep in mind with regard to playground equipment design and safety.

It Starts with Age

The first point to think about when building a playground for a school is the age of the children who will be attending the school and using the playground. Quite obviously, the equipment needs to be age appropriate for the target audience. Not only does that mean that the equipment needs to be safe based on the age of the kids, but it also needs to be something that will engage them and maintain excitement visit after visit. Of course, many school playgrounds are open to the public when school is not in session, so that should be kept in mind as well.

Balancing the Budget

Every project has a budget, and school playground project is certainly no different. It might take a little bit of creative thinking to balance the desires that you have for the playground with the amount of money you have available. In most cases, it is going to be best to stick with high-quality equipment, even if that means including one or two fewer pieces on the playground in the end. Going in a cheaper direction just to buy as much gear as possible is a choice you may soon come to regret.

Visuals Are Important

From a design perspective, you’ll probably think first about how the playground is laid out and what kinds of equipment will be included. However, at some point you will want to think also about the visual appeal of the space. Using bright colors, or colors that coordinate with the school, is a great way to attract attention and get kids interested. Modern playground equipment is available in a wide variety of colors, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something that works for your needs.

Learning and Playing

More and more, educational opportunities are being built into playground equipment in a way that allows kids to expand their minds while still having a great time. As a school, it is a natural fit to include some of these elements in your design. At the same time, getting to play outside on the playground is supposed to be a break from the focused learning going on in the classroom, so finding a balance between education and play time is going to be important. As long as there is still plenty of space on the equipment for kids to just relax and have fun, you should come away successful in the end.