You can give your kids years of childhood fun with a playground. You’ll have more success enticing families to keep picking your outdoor play space if you keep it in great shape. Besides, summer is an excellent time for playground upgrades, so why not get started now on updating your school playground?
No matter if you want to fix up your playground or make it more appealing to a growing and diverse community, you can make a lot of changes. Keeping the playground an exciting place for exercise and imaginative play will keep kids entertained and adults happy.
Here are some ways to upgrade and update your school playground during the summer:
Create Shade Systems
When kids are outside, they need protection from the sun. The strongest solar rays occur during the day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which typically includes the timeframe that kids will play outside. In fact, 67% of playgrounds are exposed to direct sunlight during these hours.
Children can suffer sunburns or other skin damage, even on cool or cloudy days. Children may also be exposed to more UV radiation on playgrounds if reflective materials are present.
Grass does not reflect as much sunlight as snow, sand, concrete, or water, so kids are more likely to be exposed to UV rays. By shading areas with these surfaces, kids are exposed to less reflected sunlight.
Your playground will also be more welcoming to people with sun allergies or sensitivities due to shade structures. It is common for kids to take medications that increase their susceptibility to overheating and sun poisoning. All kids can play in the shade on sunny days!
Adding Site Amenities
Play structures are the main attraction of your playground, but the accessories help make it more enjoyable for all. A playground can be enhanced by adding several elements, whether part of a larger park or a standalone attraction. Consider these amenities when upgrading your playground:
- Benches – The play area should have benches around it so that adults can watch their children play. Places for kids to sit can also benefit them if they need a break from active play.
- Picnic tables – Provide additional seating around the playground with picnic tables. Pack lunch when heading to the park on a sunny day, and you’ll have a comfortable place to spend the afternoon if it’s a nice day.
- Bike racks – Install bike racks near your playground to encourage families to ride their bikes to and from playtime, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Imaginative Themes
Add themed structures to your playground’s free play areas. Providing a setting for children to create stories based on a theme is the perfect way to spark their imaginations. Children in your community will love these playground themes:
- Rocket ships
- Trains
- Castles
- Pirate ships
- Fire engines
These can all provide children with a fun adventure that’s interactive and educational, plus it encourages them to use their imaginations!
Let Churchich Recreation Upgrade Your Playground Today!
North and South Carolina schools, parks, and landscape architects trust Churchich Recreation’s full-service, turnkey playground solutions as a reliable, innovative, and safe playground partner.
Creating one-of-a-kind play, comfort, and connecting experiences for communities is our mission. Contact us today, so we can get started on your next project!