There are numerous reasons why children need outdoor playtime. Other than ensuring good physical health, play is also important for their mental health and in learning crucial social skills. Children find friends, learn to interact with others, and develop confidence in their physical and social skills through outdoor activities. Games also play an important role in stimulating their curiosity and their drive to work towards a goal. They get to work with others, form friendships, and learn about group dynamics. Hence, a playground is seen as an essential component in any residential area. Other than attracting families, playgrounds often double up as socialising spots for parents, grandparents, or other caretakers. 

If your society has just a swing and slide for a playground, it may be time to reboot, refurbish, and improve the playing lot. Here are a few essential steps that you can follow:

Pick a good location

The play area can be situated in the middle of the complex or at any corner, but it’s critical to keep it away from any hazardous places like STP, water tanks, garbage area, cylinder storage, and mechanical or electrical closets. Similarly, it should not be located on a terrace even if you have high fences or railings. Children can be ingenious when trying to overcome such challenges.

Include these 3 essential elements 

Every play area should have active, sensory, and creative elements. Active elements include slides, swings, monkey bars, and other similar equipment. Pick any playing apparatus that encourages children to climb, hop, jump, balance, swing, pull or push. The most common sensory play areas are in the form of sand pits where children can be messy. You can also add implements like toy spades or buckets. 

Creative elements can include blackboards, musical instruments like metal pipes, tree houses, or a play house. These are places that let their imagination take hold. Other than these play areas, see if you can extend the playground into green areas, like a garden with trees where children can spend some time with nature. 

Get suitable flooring

Children can very easily fall prey to a sudden accident. It is advisable to go for rubber flooring in active play areas. The rubber surface protects children from falls and reduces the chances of injuries. Today, you can also get rubber mats with interesting patterns. At the same time, make sure that any hazardous elements like sharp objects are removed from the play area. 

Add benches

While children are rarely interested in benches, their caretakers do find them handy. Add a couple of benches or similar seating areas for parents and other caretakers. They are more likely to linger and let the children play if they also have a place to sit and wait.

Ensure regular maintenance 

Regular maintenance of the play area is critical to ensure safety. Apart from regular cleaning and sweeping of the area, we must also carry out regular inspections of the equipment to check for loose bolts or attachments, broken or jagged edges, or any other apparatus that is coming apart. Sand pits must be raked regularly to check for bits of glass, feces, rocks, and other foreign objects. Any issues like stagnating water or pits in the flooring must be immediately addressed. The same goes for play equipment that has been damaged. Keep in mind that this can directly impact the safety of children. For more details on maintaining a play area, read our article here. 

Play areas are an essential investment for any residential area, necessary for the health and wellbeing of their most precious occupants – small children. The regular improvement and maintenance of the play area are necessary not only for their enjoyment, but also to ensure their overall wellbeing and safety.