Sensory Play: The Why, How and What of Sensory Playgrounds

In outdoor playgrounds, the natural surroundings - from the choice of surfacing and planting to the actual play equipment - can provide rich sensory play.

For play equipment, consider surfaces that provide varied structures, temperatures and densities in materials.

Think of play details and equipment that respond to movement, for instance rope nets or smooth scoops that run in grooves.

Combine the tactile input with the visual or auditive. Moiré patterns, dichroic effects or rhythm. Sound and tonal equipment is great for this.

Responsive surfaces such as rollers, or textured surfaces such as turf or rubber flaps, stimulate the sense of touch,. This is especially true for Special Educational Needs playgrounds.

Pay attention to the soothing or invigorating effects of body pressure with varied textured hammocks or other moving surfaces to lie on, both in busy and quiet corners of the playground.

Tactile and visual play elements that can provide both movement, tactile response and creative play are fantastic. This is where the roller log panels and hammocks come into play: children can create patterns or form messages with them.

Sensory play in sensory motor integration: stimulation of the vestibular and kinesthetic systems can be created with bouncy nets, swings, spinners, slides, seesaws, etc.