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Families Love Thrilling and Sensory Playgrounds

A group of kids playing on a playground.

What does it take to create popular playgrounds?

Promoting physical activity among children is a key concern, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends play as an effective means to achieve this goal. One way for children to reach the recommended level of physical activity, is to stay longer at the playground. So, how do we achieve that?

In this study, KOMPAN Play Institute examined the retention rate of Veteran's Park Playground in Philadelphia over a 7-day period. Following the refurbishment of the playground, park usage saw a remarkable 90% increase. Parents and children attributed this surge in park attendance to the array of sensory and thrilling play activities available, catering to a wide age range.

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Families Love Thrilling and Sensory Playgrounds

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5 design tips

5 community playground design tips

  1. Providing active and thrilling physical play activities (the feeling of speed, height, challenge and rough and tumble play)

  2. Provide play activities that engage the senses (touch, sight and sound)

  3. Make sure that activities are varied in their play functionality (gliding, climbing, spinning, swinging, rocking and sliding).

  4. Provide spaces for children and adults to socialise (high capacity play pieces with social points, as well as seating)

  5. Create a safe and inclusive environment for all ages and all abilities

Play webinars and white papers

Sensory play: The why, how and what of sensory stimulating playgrounds

Play

White Paper

a children's play area with children playing on the playground.

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

Inclusive Public Playgrounds: 10 new, science-based practices for play spaces

Nature play and natural playgrounds

Sensory Play: Science behind child wellbeing in playgrounds

Innovative products - The key to more play

truly inclusive section

Truly inclusive - the reward of thrill in universal play designs

Equality in play - Survey on playground use in children with disabilities

Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

Designing unique playgrounds that match your story and your scene

Tweens love playgrounds: 5 new science-based tips for school playground design

Nature Play: 8 Tips on encouraging outdoor play with nature playgrounds

More play and no conflicts

Play value - The influence of playground equipment

Play value increases with sensory play

The more thrilling playground

Physical activity among preschool children

Tweens love playgrounds

Unique Play Designs - Increase play duration

6 tips to dramatic play outdoors

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school-age playground

The risk-benefit equation of challenging playgrounds

Children playing on a large playground tower made from more sustainable materials in Olins Park

Play for the planet: redefining outdoor design to minimise carbon footprints

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