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?

The KOMPAN Play Institute conducted a study on the retention rate of Veteran's Park Playground in Philadelphia over a period of 7 days. The study found that after the playground was refurbished, there was a remarkable 90% increase in park usage. Parents and children attributed this surge in attendance to the variety of sensory and thrilling play activities available, which catered to a wide age range.

White paper

Families Love Thrilling and Sensory Playgrounds

The cover of a book about playground equipment
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

Webinars and white papers about play

Mastery Through Make-Believe Play

Tweens love playgrounds

Unique play designs - Increase play duration

Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

Unleashing Creativity: Building Unique Playgrounds with KOMPAN Design Studio

Play value increases with sensory play

6 Tips to dramatic play outdoors

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school age playground

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

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

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

Sensory Play: Science behind child wellbeing in playgrounds

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

8 ways to encourage nature play in playgrounds

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

The risk-benefit equation of challenging playgrounds

Play value - the influence of playground equipment

truly inclusive section

Truly Inclusive: The Reward of Thrill in Universal Play Designs

Innovative products - The key to more play

The more thrilling playground

A couple of girls climbing on KOMPAN play equipment.

Climbing activates tween girls - How to increase tween girls' physical activity

Nature Play and Natural Playgrounds

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

Physical Activity Among Children in Early Years

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