How to Design a School Playground

This year, the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed their position that recess is essential for childhood development. Along with the many physical benefits associated with recess, the school playground is where social skills are learned, executive function improves, and children develop a sense of self. 

That’s a lot of responsibility for a school playground! Designing a school playground requires thoughtful planning to create a space where children can play, learn, and grow. For many children, school playgrounds are their primary place for outdoor play, providing essential opportunities to stay active, socialize, and unwind after a long day in the classroom. Read on to learn some of the ways you can design a school playground to support childhood development, encourage healthy habits, and foster a sense of community and connection for all students.

Play On! is a physical education program developed by our parent company, PlayCore, and designed around SHAPE America's National Standards and the six essential elements of play. This standards-based curriculum provides educators with 125 engaging playground activities, as well as assessment tools, playground design considerations, funding resources, and more. 

Play On! provides a practical approach to integrating playground equipment into existing physical education classes and programs, helping schools create dynamic, active play environments. By using Play On! as a guide, schools can foster a more active and engaged school community, promoting overall wellness and physical activity across all grade levels.

Playgrounds that adhere to the design guidelines within Play On! could qualify for National Demonstration Site (NDS) status, a recognition that highlights exemplary design and implementation practices. This endorsement serves as a valuable reference for stakeholders, showcasing a commitment to creating play environments that promote physical activity, development, and inclusivity for all children.

According to Play On!, the six essential elements of play (swinging, sliding, spinning, climbing, balancing, and brachiating) create healthier, more engaging playgrounds. These activities support physical fitness, coordination, and social development, all while contributing to a child’s overall well-being and academic success. By incorporating these elements, schools can design play spaces that inspire movement, creativity, and inclusive play for all students.

Swinging

Swings provide more than just fun—they help children develop balance, coordination, and upper body strength. The rhythmic motion of swinging teaches energy transfer and supports motor skill development, while also encouraging imaginative and dramatic play. Whether soaring high or gliding gently, children engage in a sensory-rich experience that enhances their physical and cognitive growth.

The Expression Swing is the first playground swing designed specifically to promote intergenerational play. With both the Expression Swing Tandem and Expression Swing Universal,  children and adults can swing together, fostering social interaction and creating opportunities for bonding between students, teachers, and families. These swings encourage inclusive play that brings all generations together for fun and meaningful connections.

Sliding

Playground slides offer more than just thrills—they support core stability, dynamic balance, and spatial awareness. As children slide, they engage their leg and hip muscles, improving flexibility and coordination. The sensation of moving quickly down a slide also enhances body awareness, helping children develop essential motor skills while having fun.

Spinning

Spinning does a whole lot more than just making us dizzy and laugh. Spinning play on school playgrounds is essential for child development, as it enhances both kinesthetic awareness and postural control while also improving children's understanding of speed, force, and direction.

The Aurora Spinner is a fantastic addition to any school playground, encouraging collaborative play and social interaction. As children spin together, they develop teamwork, coordination, and balance, all while experiencing the joy of movement.

Climbing

Climbing offers a wealth of benefits for children, from increased strength and improved coordination to enhanced problem-solving skills and boosted confidence. It promotes spatial awareness, encourages social interaction, and supports overall physical fitness. Climbing challenges children to push their limits, helping them develop resilience and a sense of accomplishment as they overcome obstacles.

The Vista Nova series invites children to climb up, down, and all around, creating endless laps of fun. Designed with our innovative WeaveTech® cabling system, this climber offers unmatched strength and durability, supporting high-capacity play and maximizing play value.

Balancing

On a playground, it's essential to incorporate play elements that help children develop balance and coordination, which are foundational motor skills. These skills serve as building blocks for other physical and cognitive abilities, while also supporting social and emotional development. Play elements that challenge balance help children grow in both physical and emotional resilience, fostering overall well-being.

Brachiating

Brachiating, or overhead climbing, is an activity that engages both the mind and body, making it a powerful developmental tool for children. As they swing and climb, children build coordination, agility, strength, and confidence, while also honing essential motor skills like depth and distance judgment.

PrimeTime playground equipment is affordable, high quality, and a great solution for schools working with a tight space or budget. These play systems are built to be more compact in comparison to other product lines, which allows them to require less safety surfacing and cost less overall.

PrimeTime Odyssey

PrimeTime Odyssey is a pod-shaped enclosure that adds a distinctive look to your playground. Its modular design offers many customization options, letting you select from a variety of panels, slides, and climbers to create a play structure that aligns with your unique vision.

Catalina Climbing System

GameTime's Catalina Climbing System is a versatile play element that can serve as a dynamic attachment, linking element, or freestanding climber. Its innovative design opens up exciting possibilities for creating custom play systems, allowing you to craft a playground that encourages active exploration and skill development in children.

When you design your PrimeTime playground with the Six Essential Elements of Play, you’re creating a space where children will stay active, healthy, and engaged for years to come. Contact a GameTime representative today to learn more about the Play On! curriculum and start building an active, fun, and developmentally enriching environment at your school.