Play
Supernova, carousels and spinners
What are playground spinners?
Commercial playground spinners are pieces of spinning playground equipment that spin clockwise and counterclockwise. They come in various shapes and sizes and thrill children in parks, schoolyards, and playgrounds. Spinners and carousels are the perfect vehicles for physical development, building muscles and bone density. They also develop nervous systems into new areas, and the sense of balance, a vital life skill, is further enhanced by just spinning.
Our spinners and carousels add innovation to the joy of spinning and attract children of all ages and abilities. With options ranging from stand-up Spicas and Supernovas to Spinner Bowls or the Tipi Carousel, our spinners allow a variety of play while creating opportunities for socialisation and practising the life skills of making friends, taking turns and thoughtful sharing. Let’s spin!
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Benefits of playground spinners
It's natural for children to want to spin. Even without play equipment, they love twirling around, getting dizzy and feeling the thrill of spinning.
And spinning is vital in child development. Children actually need the dizzying feeling from spinning, as this is an important movement experience that helps the child’s nervous system mature.
Other advantages of commercial spinners are:
Gross-motor skills
Like balancing/climbing and swinging equipment, spinning playground equipment improves children’s gross motor skills, the ability to balance the device, and the strength used to spin other children around.
Sensory stimulation
The spinning motion of playground carousels provides sensory stimulation, helping to develop children's awareness and promote social interaction and cooperation. Children must play together and take turns using the equipment since they need others to spin them around.
Communication
Spinning playgrounds provide an opportunity for children to communicate and learn to work together.
Versatility
Spinning playground equipment of various sizes accommodates different age groups and skill levels, making them a versatile addition to any playground.
How to choose the right playground spinner
In the past, more explicit safety guidelines for rotating playground equipment were required. They were often made with varying standards and qualities, reducing the children's safety on a playground.
Nowadays, modern playground spinners come with 1) ways to limit the speed at which a child can spin, 2) have requirements for commercial-grade quality and durability, 3) have proper distancing between the different equipment pieces, 4) have mandatory safety surfacing.
Enjoy the thrilling joy of Supernova, carousels & spinners
Children cannot get enough of the sensation of speed and spinning. A great way to create a variation on your playground is to accommodate spinning equipment with graduated rotation options. Spinning is something for every child, but only some enjoy super fast spinning. Whether you are interested in the Multispinner Carousel, the Spinner Bowl or the Starsurfer, our play experts are here to help you decide on the correct type of spinning equipment for your user group.
Combine spinning options for all ages and abilities
Playgrounds with spinning equipment are very popular. Research suggests that playgrounds with spinning equipment have more use and physical activity. Spinning not only enhances children's sense of balance but a great sense of balance is also closely connected to mathematical skills. Make sure to offer spinning playground equipment for all ages and abilities – the younger and the older children. Combining spinning equipment that offers individual spinning and equipment that can hold groups spinning is also a great way to create spinning options for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the spinny things on a playground called?
The freestanding playground 'spinny thing' is called a spinner, carousel or even a merry-go-round or roundabout, depending on where you live.
What happened to merry-go-rounds?
Many older merry-go-rounds have been removed from playgrounds and replaced with newer, safer ones. Today, commercial playground equipment must comply with stringent safety standards, such as AS4685 in Australia.
How do playground spinners work?
Spinning carousels work by using your body weight to set them in motion. For spinning items fit for more users, children can hop on and off while the item is spinning; they generate movement by pushing against the ground to create momentum and use their body weight to slow down or accelerate the spinner.
Are playground spinners inclusive?
Spinning equipment facilitates inclusive play more often than not. Just make sure that surfacing allows accessibility to the playground spinner. The right spinning equipment is especially beneficial for children with autism. Learn more about inclusive playgrounds here
Are playground spinners safe?
Many things can be done to ensure a child's safety on a spinner playground piece. Firstly, ensure that your spinner is made from commercial-grade materials with industry-leading warranties. This will prevent the equipment from breaking and causing accidents. Comply with height regulations to prevent falls from high up. Also, ensure the spinner has safety handles and flooring to prevent falls and slips. Ensure spacing between the surrounding playground items and create a no-running zone around the spinner to avoid accidental hits.
Do modern playground spinners limit the speed?
Yes. Nowadays, modern playground spinners come with ways to limit the speed at which a child can spin.