Guide to Playground Equipment for Schools
Playgrounds play a vital role in the physical, social, and emotional development of children and young people across all age groups. When designing playgrounds for schools, it is important to consider the different needs of students at each stage of their educational journey.
This guide will provide an overview of playground equipment recommendations for early years, middle school, special education needs (SEN) schools, and higher education. By focusing on accessibility, safety, and engagement, schools can create playgrounds that inspire and support the growth of all students.
Playground equipment for Early Years (ages 3–7)
Playgrounds for early years students should focus on safety, sensory exploration, and basic motor skill development. At this age, children are developing their gross motor skills, learning how to interact socially, and discovering the world around them through imaginative play.
Key considerations:
- Sensory play areas: Equipment like sand and water play tables, textured climbing walls, or musical instruments engage young children’s senses and help them explore through touch, sight, and sound.
- Low-level climbing and crawling: Low climbing structures and crawl tunnels help build coordination, balance, and strength in a safe environment.
- Inclusive play elements: Features such as swings with harnesses, ramps, and easy-to-access spinning elements ensure that children of all abilities can play together.
- Imaginative play structures: Playhouses, pretend vehicles, and interactive panels encourage children to use their imagination, build narratives, and engage in role-play.
Popular outdoor play equipment for Early Years
Our range of multi-play structures for younger children provide stimulating learning opportunities, plus the many different play activities included contribute positively to their physical and mental development.
Helping to develop fine motor skills, communication and language through roleplay, our Playhouses are an essential part of any Early Years educational setting.
UniMini Obstacle Courses are tailored for younger adventurers aged 3 to 12. These courses are designed to safely challenge and develop essential physical skills such as strength, balance, coordination, and agility.
HAGS' broad range of play panels offers both fun and educational options for playful children. A natural way to engage children in imaginative and fun games.
Our sand play range offers non-prescriptive activity options which encourage children to challenge themselves and use their imagination.
Through interactive features that allow exploration of water volumes and weights, children can grasp basic mathematical concepts while engaging in play.
Our in-ground trampolines for playgrounds provide a thrilling and ageless activity that combines fun with exceptional exercise.
Highlighting literacy outside is a fabulous way to bring those favorite stories to life. Your budding entertainers will embrace your story telling area.
Playground equipment for middle school (ages 7–12)
As children enter middle school, their play needs evolve. They seek more physical challenges, opportunities for teamwork, and outlets for creative and independent play. Playgrounds for this age group should offer engaging and stimulating activities that develop strength, coordination, and social skills.
Key considerations:
- Challenging climbing structures: Rope courses, climbing walls, and jungle gyms give children the physical challenge they need while encouraging problem-solving and perseverance.
- Adventure play elements: Zip lines, obstacle courses, and trim trails provide a sense of independence, risk-taking, and adventure in a safe setting.
- Sports areas: Basketball courts, soccer fields, and other sports facilities help students develop teamwork, coordination, and physical fitness. Multi-purpose courts allow flexibility for various games and activities.
- Group play equipment: Swings for multiple users, large rotating spinners, and seesaws foster social interaction and teamwork.
Popular outdoor play equipment for middle school
These playground multi-play structures are perfect for school children and are designed with different levels of challenge for children of all abilities.
Need a space for children to "hang out" with their friends? Our climbers can be used for more than just physical development.
The NRG playground trail equipment is designed for children aged 5 years and up, focusing on enhancing balance and coordination through a variety of challenging activities.
Ziplines offer dynamic movement from one platform to another, captivating children of all ages.
We offer a wide range of swing frames and swing seats for playgrounds. With our durable and innovative designs you can create a variety of play opportunities for children of all ages.
Roundabouts and spinners offer a thrilling whirlwind of speed and motion, making them perfect additions to playgrounds.
PlayCubes offer a versatile and engaging play system for playgrounds, designed to enhance climbing and crawling abilities for children.
Multi Use Games Area arenas are a high performance multi-sport court systems suitable for a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
Playground equipment for higher education (ages 12+)
For students in higher education, including secondary schools and early college settings, playgrounds serve as spaces for fitness, socialization, and stress relief. Older students require playgrounds that challenge them physically and provide opportunities for relaxation and connection with peers.
Key considerations:
- Fitness-focused equipment: Outdoor gym stations, pull-up bars, calisthenics areas, and fitness circuits encourage physical exercise and help older students stay active and healthy.
- Sports and recreation zones: Basketball courts, soccer fields, volleyball courts, and other sports facilities promote teamwork, competition, and recreational play.
- Adventure play and parkour areas: Zip lines, climbing walls, and parkour courses give older students an opportunity to challenge themselves physically in an engaging and fun way.
- Social and chill zones: Outdoor seating areas, picnic tables, and quiet green spaces provide students with places to relax, socialize, and unwind from the pressures of academic life.
Popular outdoor play equipment for higher education
These playground multi-play structures are modular and can be designed to cater for older chilren, with varying levels of difficult activities, so they can find them physically challenging and fun.
A fun way to exercise outdoors in a natural environment while improving upper and lower body strength, dexterity, balance and coordination.
Agito playground equipment captivates older children from first glance, with its rhythmic flow that naturally encourages children aged 5-12 years to climb, discover, and explore.
Physical activity is essential for the health and wellbeing of children and young people. To address physical inactivity, obesity, and preventable health conditions, it is important to provide equipment for various sports.
Flexible and adaptable, the Rosenlund furniture series is a modular system that makes it easy to plan an attractive outdoor environment. Combine the products and colors that suit your environment.
Ideal for boosting fitness levels, our selection includes robust park exercise equipment for cardio workouts and versatile exercise stations for low-impact and calisthenic training. Only suitable for ages 14+.
Parkour encourages people of all ages and abilities to creatively navigate their environment, continuously seeking new challenges and personal growth.
Playground equipment for Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools
In SEN settings, inclusive playground equipment is crucial to creating environments that cater to children with a variety of needs, including those with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. The playground should provide both therapeutic benefits and opportunities for fun and engagement.
Key considerations:
- Accessible design: Ramps, wheelchair accessible swings, and equipment with wide access points allow children with mobility challenges to play alongside their peers.
- Sensory play elements: For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, or sensory processing disorders, equipment such as sensory panels, textured surfaces, and enclosed spaces help to create calming and engaging environments.
- Therapeutic equipment: Swings, spinners, and balance boards are often used in occupational therapy to develop balance and core strength. These pieces can double as both play and therapy equipment.
- Quiet zones: Create calm, sensory friendly spaces where children can retreat when they feel overwhelmed, while still being part of the playground.
Popular inclusive equipment for SEN schools
Spring Toy Tini is an inclusive spring toy that offers play for children between 2-5 years. With two easily accessible handles, children can hold on firmly throughout the experience.
It is designed with a primary focus to help children enjoy play with a wide range of development challenges. Unlike other inclusive seesaws, this is not just for wheelchair users – everyone can have fun together.
Accessible to those with mobility impairments as well as wheelchair users. Its rotating base is flush with the surrounding safety surface allowing for easy transition.
An ergonomic swing seat specifically designed to cater to children with disabilities. With its focus on safety, ease of use, and comfort, the Mirage swing seat provides an inclusive swinging experience for children of varying abilities.
The three-child ride is suitable for children of all abilities, but the specially developed ergonomic seat provides ideal support for children with reduced mobility or balance difficulties.
Our range of play panels includes an exciting selection of colourful outdoor musical instruments which allows children of all abilities to be creative and experience the joy of music.
Our in-ground trampolines for playgrounds provide a thrilling and ageless activity that combines fun with exceptional exercise.
Our sand play range offers non-prescriptive activity options which encourage children to challenge themselves and use their imagination.
HAGS School installations
Build playgrounds that promote growth and wellbeing
By designing playgrounds that are tailored to the specific needs of different age groups and inclusive of all abilities, schools can create environments that promote physical health, mental wellbeing, and social development. From the early years to higher education, outdoor play spaces are crucial for fostering creativity, confidence, and community.
By considering global standards of accessibility, safety, and engagement, schools around the world can ensure that every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and grow.
