Benefits of trail play
Trail play systems, also known as obstacle courses, whether in schools or public playgrounds, provide children with numerous benefits. In this guide, we highlight the top five advantages of trail play and how it helps children grow, both physically and mentally.
What is trail play?
Trail play, also known as a trim trail, fitness trail, or obstacle course, consists of a series of physical challenges that children must overcome to complete the course. Designed for flexibility, children can start at any point and work their way through the obstacles in any order. Each obstacle presents a unique challenge, engaging different muscles and skills.
Top 5 benefits of trail play
1. Promotes vigorous physical activity in a fun way
One of the standout benefits of trail play is its ability to encourage vigorous physical activity in a playful environment. Perfect for primary and secondary school playgrounds or public outdoor spaces, trail play makes exercise enjoyable. Each obstacle challenges children to use different body parts and abilities—whether they're swinging from rope to rope, balancing on a beam, or scaling a climbing wall. This type of play promotes both physical and mental development.
Did you know: The World Health Organization recommends that children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily.
2. Encourages imaginative play
The layout of a trim trail naturally sparks children’s imaginations. With different types of obstacles, children often engage in pretend play, creating their own games and stories.
They might pretend the ground is lava as they leap from obstacle to obstacle without touching the ground, or imagine they’re adventurers in the jungle, crossing rivers and climbing mountains.
3. Develops life skills and boosts mental wellbeing
Trail play is excellent for building essential life skills. Many of the obstacles challenge children’s gross motor skills, coordination, and upper body strength. It also fosters social interaction, as children collaborate, problem solve, and support each other to navigate the course.
The sense of achievement from overcoming challenges boosts children’s confidence, while the exposure to the outdoors and active play helps improve mental wellbeing. Physical activity is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and improve self esteem.
4. Multigenerational fun
Trail play isn’t just for children—it’s an ideal multigenerational activity. With various difficulty levels, it appeals to people of all ages and skill levels, making it a great way for families and communities to enjoy time together.
Older children, who might not typically be drawn to playgrounds, are also likely to engage with trail systems due to the level of challenge and fun they offer.
5. Enhances motor planning skills
Motor planning is the process of figuring out what you want to do, planning how to do it, and then executing the activity. Trail play enhances this skill through trial and error, as children learn how their bodies move, adjust their approach, and perfect their abilities.
The sequential nature of an obstacle course, with a beginning, middle, and end, helps children understand sequencing, which is especially beneficial for those with autism.
How far will you get with NRG?
Do you want to create a playground tailored to your specific conditions? With the NRG trail play system, you can design a track perfectly suited to your space and requirements. Watch as children challenge themselves and each other, driven by determination to push their limits.
Build your own course
Obstacle courses offer endless entertainment for kids, as they can be enjoyed repeatedly. Creating diverse obstacle courses in public areas for children is a simple task, allowing them to fully engage in outdoor play and make the most of their time outdoors. Investing in obstacle courses for children is truly a worthwhile expenditure.
Sustainable
With limitless potential for creative design, these obstacle courses can be continually updated and refreshed over time. The flexible foundational concept allows for the seamless incorporation of new ideas, materials, and requirements. From the outset, we've ensured that panels, posts, and other components can be easily replaced. This approach benefits the environment and proves cost-effective in the long run.
Quality
The products offered are of exceptional quality and designed to withstand many years of use. HAGS, with its extensive experience in manufacturing play equipment, understands the stringent requirements of a top-notch obstacle course. Public environments, where children interact with these products daily, demand installations of the highest standard.
Why choose an NRG trail play system?
1 Modular and adaptable
NRG trail systems are modular, allowing you to design a layout that fits your space. You can easily add more elements over time, expanding the course and providing children with new challenges. Solo items can also be incorporated for added variety without disrupting the overall theme.
2 Sustainable materials
We prioritize sustainability in our products. Our NRG trail systems are made from infinitely recyclable steel and aluminum. Some components also feature Plaswood, a material made from 100% recycled waste plastic that is itself fully recyclable.
3 Durable and long lasting
Built to withstand heavy use, our trail systems use high quality steel and 6-strand steel fiber core ropes capable of supporting up to 3 tonnes—the equivalent weight of a rhinoceros! Plaswood materials don’t rot or degrade over time and require no chemical treatments, ensuring long lasting durability.
4 Adventure awaits!
Inspired by the wonders of nature, NRG trail systems turn playgrounds into exciting adventures. Whether children are imagining they’re crossing alligator filled swamps or climbing treacherous mountains, they’re bound to enjoy a day full of fun, imagination, and healthy risk taking.
