Playgrounds are where kids go to learn, grow, and become stronger. From developing better interpersonal skills to physically developing their muscles and joints, there isn’t much that playgrounds can’t do for kids. But when it comes to figuring out exactly what it is that entrances a young imagination and keeps them hooked weekend after weekend, it can be a challenge. This can especially be the case with plastic playground climbers.
Kids love some kinds of climbers, while others will sit unnoticed and unused. Why? What’s the secret?
Today, we’re going to crack the code of what makes for a successful plastic playground climber, and how to choose the right one for your playground.
Attach a Slide
If kids aren’t necessarily fond of climbing to begin with, or if they’re a bit wary of the challenge that a playground climber might present, then an incentive – like a plastic spiral slide – might be just the inspiration they need to start climbing. No matter whether it’s a small slide for toddlers or a taller challenge for older kids, a slide transforms a plain old climber into a part of a larger, more exciting system – and that’s something universally appealing to kids of all ages.
Place an Activity or Tunnel at the Top
Suppose kids aren’t really interested in a slide, or they become bored with it once they’ve gone up and down a few times. In situations like these, it can be beneficial to make your plastic playground climbers part of a larger climbing system. Instead of being a singular activity, make your plastic climber the middle part of an internal play structure: a challenge that kids must overcome before they can progress to the next level. This way, it’s not just a single piece of playground equipment they’re looking for; it’s the larger quest they’ve created in their imagination, and that’s something that always stays new and fresh.
Keep It Themed
If you’ve designed your playground around a jungle theme, why would you have a boring, basic climber when you could have one that looks like vines or jungle bugs? Climbers are as much a piece of decor as they are a plastic playground component, and a well-designed one can easily become the defining feature of your playground. If you can’t find a climber that fits the bill, consider a custom-made plastic playground piece. For example, SPI Plastics operates our own in-house rotational molding design & production division, which means our customers are able to create almost anything they can imagine.
Plan for the Age Group
Ideally, your playground will be a welcoming space for kids of all ages. Accordingly, you’ll want to make sure that your plastic playground climbers are designed to embrace many different skill levels. Low, easy-to-navigate climbers can help build confidence in younger visitors while angled, steep climbers present a new challenge for the older, bolder demographic.
Explore Plenty of Plastic Playground Climbers
Plastic playground climbers are a versatile enough piece of equipment that it’s worth taking your time to make sure you’ve found the right one. Is the indoor variation you’re admiring customizable enough to be installed on an outdoor facility? Is the construction of the climber solid enough to provide your guests with years of safe fun? If you have questions, ask them up-front – once your climber’s been installed, it’s usually too late to make changes. If you need some starting inspiration, check out online catalogues that provide a detailed description of what you can expect. With some time, consideration, and a little imagination, you can help create an environment that kids will remember fondly for the rest of their lives.
If you’d like more information about our selection of indoor and outdoor plastic playground climbers, call SPI Plastics today at 1-800-269-6533. You can also contact us online.