Many of us still fondly remember our time in playgrounds, running sweaty and laughing with our friends, making fun and unforgettable memories. No parent wouldn't want the same experience for their children.
Playing together is how kids learn to socialize and develop the physical and cognitive skills necessary for their development. Spending time with peers promotes creativity, communication, and collaboration, all important skills to have while growing up.
However, in a time when many spend the majority of their day indoors and looking at screens, it's become a rare sight to see kids enjoying activities under the sun.
With the right equipment, you can provide an attractive space for children to play and grow—yes, even with a limited backyard space!
Below we'll discuss safe, small commercial playground equipment and solutions to suit your family and community's needs.
Maximizing Play Value For Smaller Areas
A limited area can pose challenges when creating a safe and fun environment for children to play. But it doesn't take an acre to create memorable experiences. Even small spaces can be transformed into a kid's haven.
To maximize the play value of your limited play area, you want to focus on play equipment that serves multiple functions.
Structures combining several activities, such as play towers with integrated slides or climbing walls and play panels, would be excellent starters.
These multi-purpose structures will save space while letting children enjoy various activities without hopping between separate pieces of equipment.
Modular systems are another superb choice when dealing with incredibly tight areas without compromising your kids' enjoyment.
Many of these systems come with interchangeable components you can move around to fit any layout. They let you rearrange, add, or take features to accommodate the users' needs.
Defining your goals for what you want your small playground to be would help, too. Think of the age of the players, the type of activities they enjoy, or whether they prefer educational games.
Of course, you can do much more with two or more heads thinking together.
So, don't hesitate to work with your community (schools, churches, parks, etc.) to gather more resources and provide a safe and nurturing play environment for your children.
How to Utilize Small Spaces For Playground Equipment?
Limited space is a common issue when building children's playgrounds. Fortunately, this hurdle isn't something you can't solve with a little bit of strategic planning and innovative thinking.
Let's explore some practical tips when installing play equipment to kickstart your kids' most memorable experiences.
Assess Layout and Surroundings
You don't want to buy a piece of equipment only to realize it's too large for your yard.
Measure the available area accurately. Using a tape measure, write down the width and length of the space. Keep note of the available vertical space.
Consider potential obstructions as well.
Are there low-hanging trees, boulders, fences, or utility lines that may limit your project? Knowing the terrain will inform your design and the play equipment you can install early on.
Age is a massive factor when assessing the layout and type of structures you want.
Younger kids tend to favor colorful and multisensor equipment while older children typically prefer playgrounds with structures that challenge hand-eye coordination.
Build Up Instead of Out
Thinking vertically is the secret to utilizing smaller areas more efficiently. Building upward instead of outward can solve many of your room problems.
Domes and cubes, for instance, are a favorite pick for schools and churches. They don't take as much ground area, which makes them suitable for indoor or narrow settings.
You can take it further by incorporating ropes or walls older kids can climb. For toddlers, fun vertical activity panels with multi-sensory and educational features would be fantastic.
Playground towers are another popular option among parents. Besides the superb view from above, kids love the fulfillment of scaling the top!
Use All Space
Every nook and cranny is important when dealing with limited space.
So, take note of any irregularly shaped spots and areas. You can still put these unconventional shapes and corners to good and interesting use.
Don't stop at just using tall structures, either.
You can save ground space by installing wall-mounted panels or free-standing climbers. Overhead loopers and monkey bars are also great for minimizing floor use.
Or think of elevated decks and platforms. These installments can accommodate slides, playhouses, or a lookout base for kids, adding a touch of visual interest to the playground.
Besides optimizing a tight area, these structures provide challenging physical activities for the children, which can help develop important motor skills.
Create Zoning Areas
Zones are differently-themed sites in a playground that cater to varying ages and play styles. This way, you can create an inclusive playground anyone can enjoy.
Here's where you want space-efficient pieces of play equipment most. Looking for structures that combine more than one purpose could save you money and room.
Luckily, many traditional playground implements now come in small, compact versions. Or better yet, pick small playground sets, installed with everything a child will need for outdoor fun.
Typically, we divide the play site into three: active, quiet, and social.
The active zone consists of activities and structures that require plenty of physical energy. Climbing structures, swings, seesaws, and monkey bars go in this spot.
On the other hand, a quiet zone consists of low-energy activities like reading, drawing, or other sensory plays. Here, consider mixing equipment that appeals to different sensory levels (touch, sight, and hearing).
The social zone is where you want to promote interaction between children. Placing benches and cozy seating will allow them to practice their social skills and establish bonds.
Incorporate the Landscape
Incorporating the landscape instead of treating it as an obstacle can be a great way to optimize a narrow space.
A good example of this is if you have a small garden. Adding natural materials like boulders and logs can make it an excellent extension of your playground.
Trees work well, too! Besides a source of shade, you can install fun trails children can explore or a tree house where they can appreciate nature from above.
Consider Safety and Surfacing Features
Safety should be among the foremost considerations when building playgrounds, regardless of the size. So, ensure to install proper surfacing to cushion falls during plays.
Apart from preventing injuries, though, the right surfacing material can also spruce up your playground like no other.
Common choices for protective flooring include unitary surfacing like modular tiles or loose-fill materials like rubber mulches. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Mulched rubber is a low-cost safety feature that seamlessly absorbs impact well. This flooring material typically comes from recycled tires shredded into bits to make a cushiony layer.
Pour-in-place (PIP) rubber is an aesthetically appealing alternative to mulch. It comes in a variety of patterned colors and is easier to handle and install.
Modular tiles are synthetic ground surfacing solutions shaped into squares. They're usually inexpensive, pleasing to the eyes, and easier to maintain than rubber mulch.
Other fantastic flooring alternatives include synthetic turf, consisting of artificial grass and rubber fillings. Engineered wood fibers (EWF), which are processed wooden mulch made specifically for playground use, are ideal near tall structures as well.
The Best Playground Equipment For Smaller Spaces
You can start purchasing equipment after you've made your layout and decided on the themes for your play area.
EcoPlay equipment is made from sustainable materials that don't rust or rot and are safe for children of all ages, even for teething toddlers!
Here are some of the best outdoor play equipment for small spaces and why you should install them in your playground:
Compact Slides
Can you imagine any playground without a slide? We can't either.
Take a kid to a park, and the first thing they'll most likely head first is a slide. However, with limited space to work on, you may want to get a more space-optimized version.
A slide, no matter the size, is a surefire way to inspire fun interaction with their peers. For children, as simple as sliding down its twisty turns can inspire social skills and boost confidence!
EcoPlay offers a range of slide designs to fit any space. From straight and wavy to curved and twisty; you'll surely find the right structure for your kids.
Vertical Climbers
Climbing is necessary for children to test and explore their environment while growing. Preschoolers in particular love the sense of danger of being on higher grounds.
While climbing seems like a standard pastime, it offers several physical and cognitive benefits, presenting healthy opportunities where kids can freely take risks.
Scaling climbing structures and pulling their body weight using the hands and feet serves as a low-impact physical exercise for the kids' developing bodies.
Done in a safe environment like a playground, climbing can bolster gross motor movements, nurture hand-eye coordination, increase lean muscle, and improve balance.
Depending on the players' age, consider adding EcoPlay rock walls, overhead loopers, and other interactive climbers to encourage their cognitive abilities.
These structures offer challenging tasks, allowing children to practice decision-making, solve low-risk problems, and build focus during activities.
Interactive Play Panels
Interactive activity panels incorporating educational features can be a great learning experience for children of any age.
Touch is how children make sense of the world because it's the first sensory skill they develop. That's why they love feeling and experiencing new sensations with their hands.
Many panels include interactive math, science, and musical features in their designs that require direct use of hands and limbs.
Some involve fun puzzles and mazes children can work together to solve. Others teach practical knowledge, such as braille, sign language, and the alphabet.
Besides tactile development, activity panels provide plenty of opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. These interactions facilitate creative thinking in children while nurturing empathy and emotional intelligence.
Taking on simple tasks presented on play panels and solving them is also an excellent confidence booster for a kid. Just don't forget to give praise where it's due!
Freestanding Equipment
Opting for standalone equipment is another smart move to address space problems. Many of these structures come in all shapes and sizes.
Think of classic swing sets, carousels, seesaws, and free-standing climbers. EcoPlay Structure's toss 'n fun balls, gaga pit balls, and hurricane spinners also make a superb addition to encourage group enjoyment.
EcoPlay offers reliable freestanding structures for different builds and measurements featuring fun and challenging designs that will surely attract the children's eyes.
Shade Structures
Playing outdoors and under the sun is a normal and healthy activity for kids. But you may want to add EcoPlay shading structures around the play area to protect them from the hottest days.
Shading a playground allows longer playtime without overheating. Shaded areas tend to stay 15 to 20 degrees cooler, providing cool relief after long periods of activity.
Having shaded structures can minimize UV exposure for children prone to sunburns and reduce cancer risk later in life. Not to mention they help make the equipment last longer by shielding them from the elements.
Final Thoughts
With over 18 years of experience, EcoPlay Structure has provided safe, sustainable, and eco-friendly playground equipment and amenities for homes and communities. We take your needs and schedule seriously, ensuring transparency and on-time services.
Don't hesitate to reach out and get a quote today!