Outdoor play is vitally important for children of all ages. It is actually healthy for children in a number of significant ways. Outdoor play invigorates kids, allowing them to get rid of extra energy, tiredness, and laziness, and it helps to promote concentration and focus. Exercise also helps to build muscle and strengthen bones. Playing outdoors on an adventure playground assists in the development of sensory and motor skills in children as well. Socially, it helps children to develop self-confidence, self-control, negotiation skills, and tolerance, and it helps to build different kinds of relationships, as socialization is learned at a young age. This kind of development benefits children as they grow into the adult years.
Outdoor adventure playgrounds involving swings, slides, climbers, sandboxes, and spring riders are all beneficial in helping children develop normally. In this day and age, kids spend a lot of time in front of electronics such as computers, televisions, and hand-held devices from a very early age. When kids have the opportunity to get outside and play on safe and fun adventure playground systems, they should definitely experience this often, if not daily. Many times, it takes the adults being good examples in order to show children that outdoor activities and outdoor play are great fun, together or individually. This type of play should help children develop not only mentally and physically but also emotionally and socially as well.
The school classroom can cause children to feel closed in, and the need to expel energy is usually the cure for a restless group of children. Outdoor play and good adventure playground equipment can alleviate many wiggles and short attention spans that may be lurking in the classroom. The fresh air will benefit the child's health as well; playing outside will allow children a break from recycled air, so they will be breathing less dust and other contaminants while they play outdoors. The vitamin D that they will get from exposure to the sun will also enhance mood, memory, energy levels, and the overall general health in children.
Safety should always be the first priority when it comes to outdoor play and playground equipment. Playgrounds take planning so that safety guidelines can be followed. The area should be examined for anything that could potentially harm a child. The actual equipment should be examined for sharp edges or any bad designs that could potentially injure a child due to bad planning. All equipment you buy should be able to withstand all types of weather, including strong winds, strong rains, and snow or ice. Durability and little to no maintenance are important when the equipment gets used heavily on a daily basis. Playground equipment should be brightly colored, with interesting designs that will draw children in and encourage them to desire to participate and play. Children need all types of equipment that encourage all different types of motor skills. Some of these include sliding, climbing, hanging, balancing, and spinning equipment, in addition to creative play with sand or water. Other great equipment options for kids' playgrounds are rotating nets, basketball hoops, and spider walls that can appeal to older children as well as younger ones. Keeping this in mind, all equipment should also be eco-friendly as well. Commercial equipment has changed in the past few years, both visually and physically. Older playgrounds made of wood are being replaced with other materials that are coated and better prevent bumps, bruises and scrapes.
AAA State of Play is a company that focuses on adventure playgrounds for commercial use. We offer a huge variety of top-notch equipment with a simple way to shop online. We offer to install the equipment or give you the option for a supervised install. When you make a purchase from us, we offer you excellent customer service with representatives who will completely handle your order from start to finish, helping you to decide what adventure playground systems are right for you.
For more important information about commercial playgrounds and the importance of outdoor play for children, see the following links:
Playground Safety (PDF)
Considerations and Regulations For a New Playground (PDF)
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
