Building preschool playgrounds that will keep toddlers safe while engaging their imagination should be the number one goal of parents and designers. It takes time and planning to build a preschool playground. It’s important to choose age-appropriate playground equipment, have enough space for each area, and have playground components that encourage engagement and imagination.
This article will help guide you through all the important details to think about when you want to build a custom playground for preschoolers or toddlers.
Setting & Budget
The location of the playground must have the potential for future growth and development. Building a playground on school grounds means the rules and regulations of the school district must be followed. Parents and teachers need to work together to find the most appropriate and safe location for a preschool playground. Suppose the playground is outside of a school area. In that case, the ideal location may also be near a community center or church so that families can walk to different activities within the community.
The next thing to consider is the budget before you start. This budget should include the cost of construction materials and supplies that will be needed for the new playground. It should also include funds for playground installations. Once your budget is complete, you can begin to plan the exact size of the playground you want to build.
Once you have established these two critical factors, you can begin to work on layouts and incorporate other elements such as safety features and what playground components you want.
Safety First
The safety of the children also has to be taken into consideration during the planning. It is vital to consider age-appropriate outdoor play equipment rather than inappropriate equipment because most accidents in outdoor play are caused by inappropriate equipment. This will help to avoid any injuries and accidents that could have been prevented if the equipment was used on the appropriate equipment.
In addition to safety measures, there are other factors to consider when planning the design of a preschool playground. Playground surfaces must be safe for toddlers and appropriate for their size and abilities. Sand play areas and softer materials are better options than hard, rough surfaces.
Promote Engagement & Imagination
A playground should include playground components that are engaging and challenging. The very same activities that engage toddlers in the classroom can be incorporated into the playground settings. Toddlers are also social beings. They need both the companionship of other children and the sense of play that young children require to maintain their development. Building preschool playgrounds that provide opportunities for young children to play are ideal. After all, by engaging the imagination of toddlers, they will be able to use their imaginations to learn new things and to develop skills that they need to succeed in life.
Another skill toddlers learn on playgrounds is the physical education they receive from playgrounds which prepares them for kindergarten. They will also be able to learn about the different parts of a playground set-up, such as the slides, simple climbers, and so forth. And just like learning about all of these activities, toddlers will also be able to develop social skills like communicating with others, cooperating, and sharing.
Building a preschool playground with active play in mind has many benefits. Educational activities help children develop essential social and communicative skills. In developing these skills, children also acquire essential developmental aspects of physical education.
Ready to build a custom preschool playground? Contact SPI Plastics today