Churchich Recreation Blog

Playgrounds have long been seen as a place for recess and free play, but for many schools, they’re becoming a strategic tool to support overall student wellness. With the right design, a playground can contribute to physical health, mental well-being, academic success, and social development — all while reinforcing a school’s broader wellness objectives.

“The playground offers a unique environment for building skills. There is a lot of development and therapeutic growth that can happen in an environment like a playground,” writes occupational therapist Emilee Shoemaker.

From active design that promotes daily movement to outdoor classrooms and sensory-friendly areas, thoughtful playground planning can help schools turn their wellness goals into reality.

“A whole child wellness-focused approach can lead to improved academic achievement, better behavior, social skills, increased student engagement, and higher levels of student satisfaction,” says the Public Consulting Group.

Why Wellness Matters in Playground Planning

School wellness objectives often encompass far more than physical fitness. They may include:

• Increasing physical activity to combat childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
• Supporting mental and emotional well-being through stress relief and self-regulation activities.
• Encouraging social interaction and teamwork.
• Creating inclusive spaces where children of all abilities can play and learn together.
• Enhancing learning outcomes by integrating nature, movement, and sensory experiences.

Playgrounds can touch all these areas when designed with intention — becoming a touchstone for healthy, active, and inclusive school communities.

Incorporate Active Design Principles

One of the most direct ways to align playground design with school wellness goals is to maximize opportunities for physical activity. Active design is about more than just installing swings and slides; it’s about creating an environment that invites movement and keeps kids engaged.

Tips for active playground design:

• Provide a variety of equipment that supports climbing, swinging, balancing, and running.
• Incorporate challenge levels for different age groups so every child has opportunities for success and growth.
• Create movement circuits with linked play zones that encourage continuous motion.
• Use natural elements like boulders, logs, and berms for climbing and jumping.

Active playgrounds can help schools meet daily activity recommendations from organizations like the CDC, which suggests children engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Add Outdoor Classrooms for Hands-On Learning

Outdoor classrooms are increasingly popular as schools look to connect wellness with academic achievement. These spaces allow teachers to bring lessons outside, where fresh air, natural light, and movement can enhance focus and engagement.

Design ideas for outdoor classrooms:

• Covered seating areas with shade structures for year-round use.
• Flexible layouts that accommodate both large groups and small breakout sessions.
• Integration with nature such as nearby gardens, trees, or natural play features that can be part of science and environmental studies.
• Accessible pathways so all students and teachers can participate.

Outdoor classrooms support wellness by reducing sedentary time, boosting mood, and providing a calming environment that can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Develop Sensory Gardens for Emotional Wellness

Sensory gardens combine landscaping, textures, scents, and sounds to create a therapeutic space for students. These gardens can help with self-regulation, emotional balance, and sensory processing skills.

Key features of sensory gardens:

• Plants with diverse textures and scents such as lavender, rosemary, or ornamental grasses.
• Water features for soothing auditory input.
• Tactile pathways with gravel, wood chips, or smooth pavers.
• Quiet seating areas for reflection or small-group activities.

Sensory gardens are especially beneficial for students with autism or sensory processing challenges but can be enjoyed by everyone. They offer a place to reset during the day, which supports overall wellness goals.

Prioritize Inclusive Play for All Abilities

Inclusivity is at the heart of many school wellness policies. A well-designed playground ensures that every student — regardless of ability — can participate fully and feel welcome.

Elements of inclusive playground design:

• Ramps and transfer stations for accessible entry to play structures.
• Ground-level play features like musical instruments, spinning elements, and activity panels.
• Adaptive swings and harnessed seating options.
• Wide, accessible pathways connecting all areas of the playground.

Inclusive design promotes empathy, collaboration, and mutual respect among students — qualities that are essential to both wellness and academic culture.

Use the Playground to Foster Social Skills

Wellness isn’t just physical; it’s social, too. Playgrounds can be designed to encourage cooperation, communication, and problem-solving.

Design strategies for social play:

• Multi-user play structures that require teamwork.
• Game areas for foursquare, hopscotch, or group activities.
• Circular seating for conversation and group discussions.
• Themed play zones that spark imaginative role-play.

By encouraging shared play experiences, schools can help students build interpersonal skills that extend into the classroom and beyond.

Integrate Nature for Mental and Physical Benefits

Access to green space is linked to lower stress, better mood, and improved cognitive performance in children. By blending natural elements into playgrounds, schools can meet wellness objectives while enriching the play experience.

Nature-based playground features:

• Shaded areas with trees or pergolas to provide relief from the sun.
• Native plants to support local ecosystems and reduce maintenance.
• Loose parts play areas with sticks, sand, and water for creative building.
• Wildlife-friendly elements like birdhouses or pollinator gardens.

Nature integration supports mindfulness and offers a valuable counterbalance to the overstimulation children often face in digital environments.

Align with Curriculum and Wellness Policies

To fully align playground design with wellness objectives, involve school stakeholders early in the planning process.

Collaboration tips:

• Engage PE teachers to ensure equipment supports physical education goals.
• Consult with special education teams to address accessibility and sensory needs.
• Work with school wellness committees to ensure alignment with policies and benchmarks.
• Gather student input to create a sense of ownership and excitement.

When the playground supports both the curriculum and wellness initiatives, it becomes a versatile tool that benefits students daily.

Measuring Success

Once the playground is in use, schools can measure its impact on wellness objectives through both quantitative data and qualitative feedback to demonstrate ROI and guide future improvements.

Key Metrics to Track:

• Physical activity levels during recess using step counts or observational studies
• Participation rates in outdoor PE classes and learning sessions
• Usage patterns of different playground zones throughout the day
• Teacher feedback on student behavior, cooperation, and mood after playground time
• Student surveys about their favorite spaces and sense of inclusion
• Classroom focus and attention levels following outdoor activities

Simple Data Collection Methods: Schools don't need expensive equipment to gather meaningful data. Consider monthly "playground walks" where staff document usage patterns, brief teacher reflection forms after outdoor sessions, student focus groups about playground experiences, and photo documentation throughout the school year.

Establishing Baselines: To measure true impact, establish baseline data before playground improvements, including current activity levels, student engagement scores, and behavioral patterns during recess.

These insights help schools fine-tune their spaces over time, make the case for additional wellness investments, and ensure playgrounds continue to meet evolving educational goals.

Churchich Can Bring Your School Playground Vision to Life

A playground is more than just a place to burn off energy — it’s a dynamic, multi-use space that can advance a school’s commitment to wellness.

By integrating active design, outdoor classrooms, sensory gardens, inclusive play, and nature-based elements, schools can create environments that nurture the whole child.

Churchich Recreation and Design specializes in helping schools bring these visions to life, creating playgrounds that inspire movement, learning, and community connection for years to come. Contact us today for a free estimate of your next school playground project in the Carolina’s.