Exploring the benefits of challenging playgrounds

This article explores the importance of thrill in children’s play. Playgrounds are places where children learn how to navigate the world securely. This is an important life skill that children only learn by doing.

Many parents and grandparents find playgrounds too risky. However, existing research shows that good playgrounds are important for developing children’s physical literacy and that physically challenging play actions teach children to handle risk.

Expand your understanding of the benefits of challenging playgrounds by reading this article.

White paper

The Risk-Benefit Equation of Challenging Playgrounds

tips for securechallengingplay

5 Tips for Secure Challenging Play

  1. Take advantage of the natural landscape to create fun and thrilling designs (eg. slopes, streams)

  2. Choose play equipment that is age appropriate and developed with input from children

  3. Make sure that the play equipment you choose is certified to meet safety standards

  4. Make sure that the play area meets space and surfacing safety guidelines

  5. Choose robust, durable technical solutions for equipment that moves

Webinars and white papers about play

Mastery Through Make-Believe Play

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

Unleashing Creativity: Building Unique Playgrounds with KOMPAN Design Studio

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

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

Play value - the influence of playground equipment

truly inclusive section

Truly Inclusive: The Reward of Thrill in Universal Play Designs

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school age playground

Innovative products - The key to more play

The more thrilling playground

Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

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

Physical Activity Among Children in Early Years

Tweens love playgrounds

Nature Play and Natural Playgrounds

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

Play value increases with sensory play

A couple of girls climbing on KOMPAN play equipment.

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

Unique play designs - Increase play duration

More Play and No Conflicts

The cover of a book about playground equipment

Families Love Thrilling and Sensory Playgrounds

Sign up to our newsletter

Get updated with news, inspiration and offers straight into your inbox.