Spinners have long held a nostalgic and special place as favorites among children and visitors alongside other playground essentials. From classic merry-go-rounds to modern spinner playground equipment, the thrilling spinning motion provides endless fun and heaping development benefits for users of all abilities.
First gained popularity at the Lincoln school playground as Miracle Whirl in the 1950s, commercial playground spinners are sought by children for their exciting spinning sensation and satisfying dizzy aftermath. Despite initially being deemed unsafe by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they soon became an integral part of the playground movement advocating children's development through play in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. This equipment experienced different designs, safety measures, and innovative evolution to be an important fixture in modern-day play spaces.
Here are several popular playground spinning equipment choices that kids can choose from with their varying interests and spinning limits:
Playground spinners not only provide active play and lasting entertainment, but they also develop children's skills and health in several ways.
Core strength, upper body muscles, and physical endurance are some of the physical improvements seen in kids who actively play with spinning playground equipment. Additionally, spinners that require grasping, maneuvering, and holding refine children's gross and fine motor skills, aiding their overall physical development.
A child's sense of balance, coordination, and spatial orientation are greatly improved with frequent exposure to spinning and engaging their vestibular system. This type of play benefits children with sensory processing needs and allows the exploration of the world of physics, cause and effect, and spatial concepts.
Playground spinners help children learn new sensations and interact with their fellow playmates as they whirl together on these devices. They get to take turns, practice social norms, and step into new worlds as astronauts navigating through space or superheroes testing their speedy spinning powers in training.
Before children can indulge in the fun of spinning, consider the following features to ensure the safety of the playground equipment:
Most commercial playground spinners are made of different elements to ensure durability and functionality. Opt for commercial-grade materials like galvanized and powder-coated steel and HDPE plastic with weather resistance and long lifespans for children to create lasting memories in the play area.
The key to achieving long-lasting spinning fun includes proper spinning playground equipment installation and compliance with the structure limits. Follow the manufacturer's instructions properly and secure a sturdy footing to hold the spinner efficiently. If you are unsure about installing this play equipment by yourself, our expert installers can help ease your worries and get the job done.
While most playground spinners can accommodate multiple children at the same time, it is important to observe the weight and capacity limits to maintain kids' safety and the equipment's longevity.
Impact-absorbing surfaces are playgrounds' defensive measures for reducing fall injuries. Depending on the playground's overall aesthetic and needs, choose appropriate safety surfaces, like rubber mulch, poured-in-place surfaces, and rubber playground turf. Consider placing additional features, such as a special wear mat, under the play equipment to prevent the turf from wearing out and getting damaged quickly due to high foot traffic.
Aside from being an all-rounder playing structure, playground spinners offer inclusive customization to accommodate children with special needs. Inclusive types like wheelchair-accessible, transfer-supported, and angled seating ensure more play areas become accessible and no one is left out from experiencing the thrill of spinning.
Looking for these fun spinning structures to complete your child's play space? At AAA State of Play, we got you covered with our wide selection of spinning playground equipment that is perfect for every commercial playground type, age group, and spinning preference. Contact us today!
Find more about the author: Kim Hart
