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Building a playground is one of the most important things that educators, caregivers and communities can do for their children. A playground is not just designed for enjoyment because the kids also learn vital life skills while playing which are essential for them to keep their mind and body healthy. Experts on child education agree that a playground should combine physical activity with fun, imagination and excitement for the holistic development of the child.

Building a playground is a time and capital intensive exercise if undertaken seriously, so it requires a certain time spent for planning and designing before the plan is executed. A playground has to be designed keeping the age-group of the kids and their safety in mind.

Some of the essential elements that should be considered before building a playground are:

  • Safety has to be the primary consideration for all the playground equipment since many studies suggest that playground injuries are unavoidable and more than 70% of the playground injuries are caused by falls. The heights of the rides, swings and slides should conform to the local rules so that kids are safe at all times. The surface material has to be such that it cushions the fall and saves the kids from unnecessary injury.
  • Since the playground will be for the kids, all the equipment that is required there should be accessible to the kids of that age. Special provisions should be made for the access to each ride or each equipment since many kids will be playing at the same time. Access from the entry of the playground or the park (if the playground occupies a part of the park) to the rides should be smooth enough for the kids to run straight to the rides and swings. If the playground is in a community park, then provisions have to be made to make the playground accessible to kids with physical disabilities too.
  • The playground equipment should help in the kids’ development through free and motion play so each piece of equipment has to be chosen carefully. The equipment should be age-appropriate and functional with minimal supervision to encourage all kids to play.
  • It is especially important since the kids who play in the playground are young kids. Whether the playground is in school or within a community, enough benches or seats should be provided within a short distance of the equipment. In such situations, even if the adults are not on the ground, they can supervise the kids from an approachable distance.

Child development experts and parents agree play is an essential part of childhood. Outdoor play areas can help children develop physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. It is recommended that adults be proactive in selecting age appropriate equipment and request separate play areas for different age groups – 6 months through 23 months, ages 2 to 5, and 5 to 12. These areas should be marked by signage indicating the age appropriate areas. The following factors should be kept in mind when selecting playground equipment in order to help make play areas developmentally appropriate, more enjoyable, and safer for children.

Physical Development

Children are developmentally different in size and ability. Outdoor play areas can facilitate physical development.

  • Ages: 6 months – 23 months
    Play areas for children 6 months through 23 months should offer places where children can have space to move and explore. Appropriate play areas for this group should provide places to crawl, stand, and walk.
  • Ages: 2-5 years
    Play areas for children ages 2-5 should offer areas with smaller steps and crawl spaces. Appropriate play areas for children ages 2 – 5 could include: areas to crawl; low platforms with multiple access such as ramps and ladders; ramps with pieces attached for grasping; low tables for sand, water and manipulation of materials; tricycle paths with various textures; flexible spring rockers; sand areas with covers; and shorter slides .
  • Ages: 5-12 years
    Developmentally appropriate play areas for school-age children could include: rope or chain climbers on angles; climbing pieces; horizontal bars; cooperative pieces such as tire swings, slides and sliding poles; and open spaces to run and play ball.

Emotional Development

Well-designed play areas can help create positive emotional development for children. Appropriately designed play areas allow younger children to explore new ideas. Parents can help nurture positive emotional development by observing, supervising, facilitating, and complimenting.

Social Development

Outdoor play areas may be one of the first social experiences for some children. Good play areas offer children opportunities to play alone or with other children. The playground should allow younger children to easily manipulate items, explore spaces, and begin to interact with others. Play areas for school-aged children should encourage social growth and cooperation. Children of all ages can develop social skills by working together to maintain their play areas. Tricycles, loose parts, and dramatic play parts should be used and placed in designated areas.

Playgrounds are a fun way for children to develop intellectually. Playgrounds offer opportunities to learn problem solving skills, to explore, and to manipulate items. Exploration areas include nature trails, large composite structures, and play houses. Manipulative equipment includes sand boxes, sand diggers, water-wheels, loose parts, and construction materials.

Indoor play equipment is fun and interesting no matter how old you are. This is not only a way to provide enjoyment, but it also allows psychological growth and health. Whether it is the weather or another reason that is keeping a kid in the house, it can get irritating and irk even a child to be indoors doing nothing. Staying effective while in the house at times can be difficult, but not when you have indoor devices.

Lots of variety is available in playing equipments. For youngsters, you can start off with a couple actions that lead to a glide that the child can move or glide down. It can come in different shapes and sizes. Some even offer a football that can be included. What makes most of the devices so well-known is that each item is individual, allowing the kid to build the items into different forms. Normally these are detachable so that they can be set up in different rooms and again packed up and taken out only when in use. You need to select something which is safe and can be placed indoors without scraping the floor or scraping the walls. The edges should be such that prevent any mishap in case of accidents. It should be compact in size and if required can be placed outdoors too.

Board games are a good option; lately introducing fitness for children has been a rage so having a play gym for them is not a bad idea as it improves flexibility and makes the kids active. Although choosing playground equipment is a tedious process, make it easy for yourself by firstly choosing your base structure, your budget and your play size space. See that they are certified safe, most durable and environmentally sustainable. See to it that it is more interactive and there is no compromising on the quality. The best quality material is used and installation done by them is preferred too. Indoor play equipments help the children grow psychologically and should come in a large variety of shades and styles. They should be appealing and most importantly safe so that the children can play without harming each other. Safety is the first measure to be taken and it should be the priority. Maintenance should be on regular basis and if the weather seems good, make the most of outdoors than indoors.

 

Playgrounds and outdoor play equipment offer kids fresh air, friends, and exercise. So it’s important for parents to make sure that faulty equipment, improper surfaces, and careless behavior don’t ruin the fun. Each year, more than 200,000 kids are treated in hospital for playground-related injuries. Many of these accidents can be prevented with the proper supervision. You can make the playground entertaining and safe for your kids and the other benches and grills and tables too by checking them for potential hazards and following some simple safety guidelines.

In the safest playgrounds, play areas for younger children are separated from those meant for older kids and signs clearly designate each area to prevent confusion. Younger children should not play on equipment designed for older kids because the equipment sizes and proportions won’t be right for small kids, and this can lead to injury. Likewise, older kids shouldn’t play on equipment designed for younger ones. Smaller equipment and spaces can cause problems for bigger kids. Because swings, slides, and climbing equipment are so different from one another, each requires a different set of safety considerations. And some kinds of equipment are not safe for playgrounds, no matter how careful kids are. Because seesaw use requires cooperation between kids, they’re generally not recommended for preschoolers unless the seesaw has a spring-centring device to prevent abrupt contact with the ground. Regardless of design, both seesaws and merry-go-rounds should be approached with caution. Seesaw seats are like swings: one child per seat. A child who is too light to seesaw with a partner should find a different partner — not add another child to his or her side of the seesaw. Kids should stand back from a seesaw when it’s in use. They should never stand beneath a raised seesaw, stand and rock in the middle, or try to climb onto it while it’s in motion. Swings are the most frequent source of childhood injuries from moving equipment on a playground. But a few simple precautions can help keep kids safely swinging in the breeze: Kids should always sit in the swing, not stand or kneel. They should hold on tightly with both hands while swinging, and when finished swinging, stop the swing completely before getting off.

Care should be taken that the benches do not rust and no nails are out so that no harm is done to anybody. Proper maintenance is required too. This benefits in the long run!

A church is more than places where people congregate to listen to sermons and pray. Their significance to the faithful is wholesome. This means that going to church as a family is always quite important. It is important for churches to make it easier for parents to attend services by putting up playgrounds. Children can leave their parents to attend services while they play on playground equipment. This is especially great in attracting young families to be part of the congregation. Below we will look at some of the benefits and considerations to keep in mind on church playground equipment.

Attracting Young Families

By installing a church playground, the church has a better chance of attracting young families to their congregation. This is because the parents can take part in the service while their children play in the playground. It is often quite inconvenient to have to look after young children while continuing to be involved in the church service. Children can spend the time occupied at the playground with their friends.

Further Community Outreach

With a church playground set in place, the church-based community outreach programs are bound to have more effect on the local community. For instance, in various communities where regular parks are either unsecure or too far away, a local church playground can be quite useful in such circumstances. Getting the local children together and equipping the playground with the best equipment is bound to attract even more kids, the church can then incorporate other activities in the program.

Now that you appreciate the benefits of having a well-equipped church playground it is up to you to make it a reality. In this endeavor, you will have to consider a few important factors.

The playground’s location is one of the most important considerations to keep in mind when looking to put up a church playground. To be able to reap the above benefits of attracting young families and benefiting the local community, you will need to make sure the playground is always safe and close to the church building. Parents will want to keep a close eye on their children while they play.

Another important consideration would be the cost. The available budget is always a limiting factor in every purchasing decision and project. In this case, you can look to the church members not only for donations but also installation labor. Church members can volunteer through the spirit of fellowship and help in the construction process to lower the labor cost. This is instead of hiring a huge group of specialized laborers.

Molanda Company sells high-quality playground equipment for the best playground experience. You can browse through our website and take a look at the collection of different types of equipment that will help you create a playground for fun and exciting activities.

According to a recent report, playgrounds are very important in the development of a child’s emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development. In order to allow children enjoy and be developed at the same time, it is highly recommended to purchase a slide that meets playground standards.

Commercial Grade Options

Generally speaking, slides are perfect for children regardless of their age. As a matter of fact, even 10-year-old children still love this feature in a playground. A slide is unquestionably one of the most popular features in a playground. They are generally made of metal, fiberglass, plastic as well as composite materials. However, if you are planning to purchase a slide for your playground, it is very important to select slides that are made of safe materials.

Playground slides also come in various sizes, shapes and colors. When talking about the structure, a slide is generally a smooth slope that has a ladder on one edge and a soft landing space on the other. So as to prevent kids from falling over, you may want to choose a slide that has slightly folded sides. You may also find more complicated options in the market. There are some with spiral or wavy shape. If you are interested in having unique slides for your playground, you may want to consider getting customized options for your theme.

The Benefits of Purchasing Slides

According to a report, almost one in every three kids in the United States alone suffers from obesity, and other weight-related disorders. In order to make your children healthy and fit, it is very important to have a regular exercise. While it is quite hard to implement the type of exercise that adults do, allowing them to play with slides is one good way to encourage them to move.

A slide that is installed according to playground standards can encourage body movements to children. They provide climbing exercises which is good for the legs. Some designs also come with bars which can help in strengthening the shoulders and arms. By encouraging children to climb and slide, they can also develop their brains further. Physical exercise is known to release endorphins which can make them feel happy and positive. Playground slides also help in keeping a healthy regime, as well as a positive attitude which is important in the lives of the children.

In line with this, it is very important to make sure of the proper installation of a slide. After all, while enjoyment and exercise is very important among children, safety and security should still be given utmost priority. With this, it is vital to use only commercial grade slides as they come with high-quality materials.

It’s not only about fun and games when purchasing playground equipment especially for children. You have to consider a lot of things including the safety level, the quality equipment standard, proper design, credibility and reputation of the retailer, and many other important things that you should never forget. Moreover, kid’s playground equipment has to be age appropriate and ADA compliant to ensure your child’s maximum safety while enjoying a fun play with other kids in the playground.

Before you are to spend your money for children equipment, you have to ensure that the considerations mentioned above are met. Basically, the first consideration when purchasing playground equipment is the safety level of the equipment facility to be installed in the recreational area. As a playground coordinator or school head, or any other person in authority, the safety of the kids should be the top priority among others. Hence, it pays if you have some knowledge as to what qualify equipment that passes the safety standards.

Equipment safety attributes are directly related to the second consideration which is having quality equipment. In all cases, quality equipment is always a lot safer to use than those equipment that are haphazardly created. That is why; you should always buy playground equipment only from a trusted playground equipment provider just like Molanda Company. This is to ensure that you get your playground installations at the best quality possible.

Another consideration to make when buying your kid’s recreational equipment is the credibility and reputation of the retailer. Playground equipment providers with great reputation like Molanda Company only sell the best quality equipment. Hence, it is best if you read through the company’s testimonials and browse some online reviews generated by real customers. That way, you can use their verdict on your own decision whether to buy or not.

In addition, when choosing a playground facility, you have to see to it that the equipment is age appropriate so that kid’s safety will not be jeopardized. The equipment should also be ADA compliant in such a way that special needs such as wheelchair usage are properly addressed. Hence, proper design of the equipment should also be taken into consideration.

Lastly, one thing to be in mind when purchasing kid’s recreational equipment is your budget requirements. Each company has its own pricing and rates. That being said, it is best that you pick the one that offers quality equipment at a very affordable rate. You can breathe easily in this regard with the presence of Molanda Company whose playground equipment is surely within your price range.

In conclusion, choosing playground equipment can be difficult and time-consuming with the many things needed to be considered. But with proper knowledge and application of the points highlighted above, being able to choose the best quality equipment can be so rewarding.

The playground is a place where children can play and learn about each other. It is an area where they can be kids. A high quality playground should be designed according to ADA standards so that it is universally accessible to everyone. That’s why careful planning is important to achieve the standards. Below are some tips that will help you in designing the perfect playground.

Create a Budget

Setting a budget is important when designing a playground. The price should be reasonable enough so that you can afford high quality products. When creating a budget, you should consider the age of the children who will be using the playground. Keep in mind that there should be separate areas for kids ages six to 23 months, two to five-year-olds, and school age kids.

You should also consider the number of kids who will use the facility at the same time. This will help you determine the number of swing sets and climbers you need, as well as the playground size.

You should also check the ADA standards to ensure that your playground caters to the special needs of children with disabilities. The play area must be accessible to everyone.

Another factor that affects the budget is the type of activities you want to incorporate into the playground. These include the kind of equipment that will be installed in it, such as climbers, slides, and swing sets. You also need to consider the amenities you are going to offer, such as picnic tables, restroom facilities, bike racks, litter receptacles, and more.

The budget must have expenses such as site preparation, equipment, storage, shipping, installation, and playground surfacing. In order to save on the costs, you can find volunteers to help prepare the site. You can also ask local companies to donate materials and/or services for the construction of the playground.

Parks and playgrounds spell fun and enjoyment especially for kids. But for the accompanying adults, these places can be so boring especially if the only thing they could do is just sit and look around. That is why; it is a lot better if parks and playgrounds have something to offer for adults like equipment for physical activity and exercise most especially for those who are into physical fitness. With that, parks will become a lot livelier as both kids and adults are all busy enjoying and having fun with their friends, old-time buddies, or with their beloved family members. As a park and playground in-charge or owner, you can always introduce lots of equipment to offer more options for park visitors to have fun and enjoy.

So, is your park or playground too plain and not attractive enough to entice park visitors to come and stay most often? Then, turn your park into a fitness center by installing several physical fitness equipments. That way, adults can have a healthy body through exercise while kids can experience significant growth while they are on play. If you don’t have any idea where to get quality equipment that promote physical activity among adults, then get them at Molanda. We have a wide selection of physical fitness equipment of which some can help muscles developed while others can help trim down body fats. With the diverse physical fitness needs of the people around the area, our company is geared to provide your park with high standards physical fitness equipment from the simple balance beams, ab station, air walker, high jump station, down to the more enjoyable ones like dual hip station, dual leg press station, and dual abductor station.

To offer more choices for park visitors, you can also add exercise equipment which promotes more physical activity like a hurdle station good for leg muscles, joint use pull bar station that is good for arm muscles, log hop station, knee lift station, and a parallel bar station, and many others. Other than this equipment for physical activity that we provide, we also offer consultations if you need advice as to how such equipment be properly installed. Since safety among users is our priority, we can help you be guided with the installation process. Just don’t hesitate to ask for professional assistance, and we will be more than glad to help you.

So are you a church leader who want to enliven your followers through quality exercise, are you a school administrator who want to give students more exposure to physical fitness routines, or are you a campsite head who want to attract camp visitor, then have some of these physical fitness equipment listed above and turn your plain park into a more enjoyable and health-friendly fitness center.

Outdoor Park and play equipment as well as shade structures make great additions to your park or backyard and also encourage kids to go outside and play. Nowadays, most kids just want to spend the whole day watching television or playing their computer games, and it is becoming harder to inspire them to go outdoors and play. Having some great park equipment like grills whether for schools or apartments is one of the great ways that kids can be encouraged to exercise and help to prevent childhood obesity.

Importance of Shade Structures for Parks

As children play around in the park, parents and guardians also need a place to relax and unwind. That is why you should include shade structures and umbrellas in your park so that people can get a place to escape from the hot sun. Kids can also use these structures for when they want to take a break from their games. This can be a great place for kids to interact and make new friends.

Adding Benches and Tables

If you had come with packed lunch you just want a quiet place in the park, then the tables and benches provided should help you out. Sometimes one is just exhausted after running around with the kids and is looking for a nice cool place to relax as their kids continue playing. You can simply sit down on the park bench and if you have something to eat you can place it on the table.

Considerations When Installing Playground Equipment like Shade Structures

You should first check if you have adequate space for installing the shade structures. This will ensure that kids will still have enough space to play around, and the structures will not limit their movements in any way. Additionally, ensure your park umbrellas are made of resilient materials so that they will last for a long time.

When choosing the benches, tables or grills confirm whether they are age-appropriate for the children who are going to be using them. Ensure that there are minimal protruding objects or dangling ropes in your park that may cause children to trip and fall. In addition, they must also be environmentally friendly and simple to maintain.

When considering the safety of your playground equipment like shade structures and tables, confirm that the manufacturer is fully committed to safety and that they meet the load bearing standards. Ask for confirmation of durability tests and also ensure that the manufacture is compliant with the various industry specifications, like whether the playground equipment requires any parent supervision.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, is an old saying, which expresses the importance of child’s play. As temperatures rise through spring, your children will want to spend more and more of their time outdoors playing. It is important to make sure that you do not hinder your child’s development by denying them the opportunity to play. Playtime allows children to exercise physically as well as learn important lessons to develop their minds. With this in mind, it is important to note that by buying the most appropriate playing equipment, your children will be happy and excited to take part in regular playing sessions.

Below we will look at some of the important factors to consider when shopping for the best playground slides.

Cost

Cost is always an influencing factor when it comes to buying playground equipment, and, in this case, slides. To make sure that you do not overspend take some time to look at different playground equipment sellers. This will give you an idea of the average price for slides. It is important to note that cheap is not always the way to go especially when it comes to playground equipment to be used by young children. Consider buying more expensive options so as to have the highest quality for the safest experience.

Shapes

Playground slides come in a wide variety of designs each with its own appeal. The available variety of shapes includes simple shapes for easier and simpler use, to curved and spiral slide designs for added fun. These shapes come in different sizes, and it is advisable to take time to examine whether the space available will suffice.

Colors

Appearance plays a big role in how much children like an object. Children are attracted to colors and getting their favorite color makes them appreciate the slide even more. This also explains why there is a wide variety of all slide shapes and designs in different colors. Whatever your child’s favorite color you will be able to find a slide, which corresponds to the same. If you are buying a slide to add to an existing playground set, it is recommended that you buy one, which adds color and versatility to the available selection.

Materials

Slides are traditionally made from metal or hard plastic. Although there are other materials used to build slides, these are the most common. They are usually durable and stand up to the elements well when used in outdoor playgrounds.

Sizes

Playground slides also come in different sizes. Buyers can choose the best size depending on the available space where the slide is to be installed. Size is also important when it comes to the average age of the users. The larger the slide, the older the users should be.

Anybody that is planning to purchase playground equipment for an institution or a school should take several factors into consideration before making a decision. Among the things that need to be considered include the age group who will use the playground, the level of fun that it can provide, as well as the type of materials used. Aside from this, there are other things that need to be given attention in choosing playground equipment.

Consider the Age Group

The first thing that need to be done is to break down the playground equipment options into three age categories: toddlers to infant school (1-6 year olds), junior school (7-11 year olds), and teens. One common mistake done by administrators is attempting to accommodate all of these age categories into just one place. Even though it is possible, but it might not be successful and can even pose danger to the children.

These days, a lot of younger children would not want to play at an area filled with teens because they are afraid of reprisal. In choosing playground equipment, it is possible to consider at least one or two of the age groups and focus on these, or perhaps separate the playing area so that the smaller children may feel more comfortable while playing.

Children and their Imagination

It is also important to understand that little children often have very big imaginations. By making good use of playground graphics into the play area can turn out to be an effective way in encouraging the use of imagination, thus keeping children active. Imaginative playing equipment, such as the use of trains, wooden ships and castles can foster the minds of the little ones to travel anywhere they want to be while staying in the safety premises of the playground. Also, choosing playground equipment that moves and rocks, such as, swings and horses can prove to be popular since smaller children feel comfortable playing with things that rock.

Older children at junior school tend to be adventurous. Therefore, it is important to develop coordination and confidence at this age. Adventure trails and climbing frames are perfect in developing all of these skills. On the other hand, the older age category of children may be attracted with a clever combination of high-level adventure trains as well as play sport equipment. This can provide the assurance that even teens that are considered tough will not be able to resist joining the rest of the group at playtime.

Choosing playground equipment may also involve tailor-made equipment. Keep in mind that compromising on low quality and cheap materials like plastics may compromise the safety of the children. Therefore, it is important to choose a reliable provider that can provide high-quality equipment.

“All work and no play will make Jack a dull boy.” The quote is often used by a lot of people to refer to the importance of playing to children. Playing enhances the kid’s mind. It promotes physical activities, and it facilitates learning. These are the reasons why a lot of communities, day care centers, schools and churches started putting playground on their vicinities. Though, despite that these play areas are open to every child, many of them are not handicap accessible.

According to a 2010 census, out of the 53.9 million children aging five to 17, about 2.8 millions were reported to have disability. These numbers include children with hearing disabilities, vision difficulties, ambulatory difficulties, and self-care difficulties. Most often than not, these children are denied to access of many play equipment available in their communities. That is the reason why the U.S. Access Board has developed the accessibility guidelines in the American Disability Act (ADA). The guidelines seek freedom for children with disabilities to play and interact with other children. The guidelines gave the idea of putting ramps and ADA play equipment in playgrounds to give handicap children access to different playground facilities.

Why is handicap accessible or ADA play equipment important?

Promote equality: Despite disabilities, all PWD wants to live normally and do things able persons do. Handicap accessible play equipment enables children with disability to access what other kids enjoy. It normalizes their development and growth despite impairment.

Promote social interaction: Usually, disabled children had inclusive playground where they interact with other children with disabilities like them. It can be beneficial as well if you try to bring them in an accessible play area where they can interact with able person. The interaction facilitates social growth and development.

Develop positive outlook: Handicap accessible play equipment changes the psychology of the children with imparity. Normally, children with disability grow shy and inferior. They always see their impairment as a hindrance to personal growth. It is important that while they are still young, you instill in their mind that they are gifted, but they can do what able children can do. Letting them play in an accessible playground with other children can be a good foundation. It does not only give enjoyment to them but also aids in the development of positivity and self-confidence. 

Develop child’s fitness: Handicap accessible equipment can aid in the therapy of some children with disability. It will allow them to move, use their mind and socialize. Play equipment can enhance their different skills and assists learning something new.

Handicap accessible play equipment under ADA guidelines is very beneficial to the development of children with disabilities. In constructing playground in your community, always consider these gifted kids by putting ramps in the play area. Adding other play equipment especially designed for the handicap is a brilliant idea as well.

Make playgrounds accessible to all so there will be no left out—handicapped or not!

More and more schools, parks and residential properties are making it a point to offer children a place to play. This is a welcome and crucial development because it continues to be more apparent that kids need a healthy amount and variety of play, in order to grow up to be more balanced individuals. A child who is not able to play regularly with others could end up with coordination, social and other issues, that will make later life needlessly difficult. Therefore it is incumbent upon parents, as well as the rest of the surrounding community, to make sure that children get the amount and kind of play that they need.

Climbing is a very important aspect of play, and one which results in a number of key benefits. One of these is the fact that climbing helps children to improve various physical aspects such as strength, endurance, hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and the like. The fact is that it is important for kids to be able to make use of, as well as test their physical capabilities. One of the worst things that can happen is when a child simply stays at home, glued in front of a television or playing on a tablet, during all his available free time. Physical exertion is what helps the child to grow stronger, faster and more capable, and climbing is a form of exertion that does things, which simple walking, skipping or running are not able to do.

Another important aspect of climbing is that it helps a child to conquer his fears. This is particularly important because far too many kids end up pampered and coddled, always told to fear this or fear that, usually with the best of intentions. However, this kind of coddling has the undesired effect of raising kids who are full of fear and are afraid to try things, which are out of their comfort zone. This may still be a tolerable situation when the kids are young, and their parents are always around to see to their needs, but what happens when they need to manage on their own? A child full of fear is someone who will miss out on the many exciting and wonderful aspects of life, and this would be such a shame.

Climbing helps kids in defeating fears because it is an activity that seems daunting at first, but then gradually and over time, with more practice and the application of courage, the monkey bars and other climbing equipment can be conquered by even the smallest or most timid kid.

Whether it’s using net climbers, slides, monkey bars or other equipment, the key takeaway here is that this activity helps kids to develop, both physically as well as mentally. By helping children to become more confident in themselves, and more willing to push their limits in constructive ways, those kids as well as society as a whole will benefit.

A human being will never develop more rapidly than between the age of 0 and 7. That is the time when a child acquires numerous skills, like hand-eye coordination, creative expression, problem-solving and many more. Having the right equipment is crucial if you want to maximize the development process in children. Luckily, we offer just the right range of preschool outdoor play equipment so that children can be physically active, have fun, and also develop motor and cognitive skills.

Not so long ago, preschool outdoor play was considered to be secondary compared to the traditional way of acquiring knowledge, like attending school. It was thought that play only served the purpose of physical skills development through exercise and play (Frost & Wortham, 1988). However, it was overlooked that merry go rounds for instance also encourage social activity, meaning that children not only develop their physical motor skills, but also learn how to interact with other children in an appropriate way.

Choosing the right equipment for a playground even goes so far as to stimulate dramatic play – a crucial segment of a child’s character (Shin & Frost, 1995). So what can you, as a purchaser of playground equipment, do to gain the best value for money when creating a playground? You will be pleased to know that it does not matter whether you are equipping a city park, a church yard, a day care center or an apartment complex. You are at the right place because we have just what you need to create a useful, yet very fun playground.

During the 90s, many reports indicated that playgrounds can be dangerous, in addition to being marginalized. Soon thereafter, designers around the world began to come up with revolutionary preschool outdoor play equipment for children that were safer and cognitively more challenging for children, in addition to being modernized and adapted to tickle every child’s imagination. We have been incorporating old and new ideas and have come up with a collection of imaginative, innovative and fun equipment, which plays a pivotal role in children’s cognitive development.

There is a wide array of equipment to choose from with the most popular being swing sets, slides, and spring riders. Our experts will answer any questions you may have if you have never bought outdoor play equipment for children. There is a wide range of items to consider, but you will get all the help you need in creating a perfect playground for children to explore for hours. All in all, you have come to a world of diverse, intelligent and playfully designed playground equipment that suits every child’s needs.

The generation of kids, today is much different than before as they are hooked with modern gadgets, video games, television shows, the internet, and other activities they can do indoors. This is quite a risk for their health because of the lack of the element of outdoor play. In various researches in the past, a strong link has been exposed with regards to the relationship between play and different aspects of health. In this case, there is no doubt playgrounds are important for children in ways more than one, beyond their physical development. Because of the many benefits of a playground, parents should learn how to give them children the freedom to play outside, but still making sure of their safety while they have fun.

Improvement of Physical Skills

Among other things, playgrounds are important basically because they are a precursor in the physical development of children. According to experts, if the motor skills of children have not fully developed by the time they reach the age of 5, there is a high likelihood they will have mobility problems in the future. With such, one of the best things to do as parents is to encourage them to have fun in playgrounds at such an early age, which will allow them to move and hence, practice their motor skills. This will be instrumental in the improvement of physical strength, balance, and coordination.

Improvement of Creativity

While many of the benefits of playgrounds are focused on the physical aspect, it is also important to point out how they are good in terms of improving imagination and creativity of children. The playground provides opportunities for children to use their creative skills in thinking of the games to play and how they can have fun in ways more than one. They tend to open up their minds into new ideas with regards to how to play. As it improves the creativity of children, it also makes it an essential element in the improvement of their mental skills. They are using their mind as they think of how a game is played and how to have fun.

If there is one thing undeniable in today’s time, it would be the fact that technology has overtaken our lives in ways more than one. It is very easy to just spend the whole day indoors, lying on the couch, and enjoying innovative gadgets introduced year after year. With the internet, for instance, people can just sit all day and play online games or get connected with their social media accounts. With the television, you can spend the entire day watching your favorite shows and eat junk foods. There is very limited physical activity, which is risky for one’s health, especially as it triggers obesity. With this, it is important to make sure to still spend time outside of the house, being engaged in activities that are not only fun, but also good for your health.

Have Other People Involved

In most cases, many people, especially children, decide to just stay indoors because they do not have friends. Watching television or playing video games become a more attractive option because they can be done even on one’s own. To keep the fun in physical activity, one thing that will surely be helpful is to invite more people and make it a group activity. In this way, the activity is not just going to be more physical, but also more social. As we all know, doing anything in a group is always better than doing it alone.

Think of Variety

No matter how fun one physical activity can prove to be, there will come a point you will realize you had too much of it and eventually, will lead into boredom. To keep it fun, it is paramount to discover something new every time. Visit a new park or try a different sport every weekend, if possible. For parents, this is very important as kids can easily lose interest in any activity if they have been doing it repeatedly, or if the activity is simply not interesting at all. If there is variety, there will always be something new for them to do, and they can keep on discovering what they like best amongst the activities they have already tried.

Children develop their minds and muscles during play. It is recommended that you afford your children a lot of play time and access to playing materials and equipment so as to help them make the most of this playtime. Buying a swing set is one of the common ideas that parents stick to in this regard. Buying a swing set may seem like an easy task but in most cases, it is anything but given the variety of shapes/sizes/colors available. Parents have to make multiple considerations in order to ensure that they buy the most suitable design by adhering to some guiding factors. Below we will look at the factors to consider when buying a swing set.

The first and most important factor, to consider before deciding to buy a swing set, is your child’s preference. Take your time to carefully evaluate your child’s activities at the playground to take stock of their preferred play areas. If your child spends a lot of their time on the playground’s swing set then buying a swing set is the right move and is bound to be highly appreciated by the child. On the other hand, if they spend their time with other playground equipment consider changing your decision.

Now that you have made the decision to purchase a swing set, you have even more factors to consider in buying the right set. Swing sets come in a variety of shapes/sizes/colors, enough to make you get dizzy. However, you can follow some guiding principles to identify the right one. You can ask your child their favorite color and use this to choose the best color.

When it comes to selecting one option from the variety of shapes/sizes/colors available, it is important to consider the age of your children and how long you wish to have the swing set for. Younger children including toddlers do not need large swing sets, however if you intend to keep the swing set until your children grow up then a bigger set will stand up to use by growing children. While picking out the perfect sized swing set make sure that you remember to factor in the size of your yard as well.

Swing sets are made of different materials wood, steel and vinyl covered wood are the most common example here. Wood may have aesthetic appeal, but the fact that it stands up poorly to external weather effects and has splinters gives it a poor safety score. Steel is a robust material that can last over a long period of time as well as vinyl covered wood which tends to be the most expensive of the three.

Another factor, to consider when buying a swing set, is the comfort features available, especially for children. Special needs children may require additional comfort and safety features such as harnesses.

Public parks provide an avenue for children for exercise and adults to spend their leisure time. Because of the influence of modern day computers, smartphones, and iPads, active physical activity became not so much of an influence to today’s youth and this can tremendously affect their social, societal interpersonal and physical growth. Public parks are an essential opportunity for children and adults to interact to others and build trusting friendly relationships. Despite this wonderful benefits public parks provide, it cannot be denied that safety might be a concern. Around 80,000 safety issues, were reported annually because of public parks injuries as a result of faulty equipment. These incidents warrant attention. Here is a complete guide on how to choose the right public park equipment from tables and benches for children and adults.

Public Park Safety Standards

Whether it is for a public park or playground, it is an utmost priority to consider the safety of the children. Because of this, the CPSC developed standardized guidelines for public park safety. These include the age of the children that should be allowed to play in the park and general consideration for choosing public park equipment such as umbrellas and benches.

Choosing an Equipment

One factor that needs to be considered is the age. You should accurately determine the age range that the particular equipment includes. It is of worthy consideration to think about children who have physical disabilities that would also want to develop interpersonal and physical skills through play. The park equipment that should be chosen can be generally used by kids and those with disabilities, not to mention adults who would also want to spend their relaxing time in it. It is smart to add different styles of benches and tables with varied levels of comfort.

An example of an age-appropriate equipment are climbing equipment, ramps, single file step ladder, spring rockers, stairways and swings for toddlers or kids who are six to 32 months of age. Preschoolers or those who are two to five years of age are safe with horizontal ladders, merry-go-rounds, rung ladders, ramps, spiral slides of 360 degrees and swings. Grade-schoolers or those who are five to 12 years old are good with arch climbers, chain or cable walks, fulcrum seesaw, ladder, overhead rings, ring treks, slides, and vertical sliding poles. Grills should be added to prevent children from going beyond the public park and into the street.

Equipment Height

This is a number one factor that influences the incidents of playground injuries. The majority of emergencies as a result of playground injuries are falls. The height of the equipment should be reasonably safe for children. For example, climbing equipment for a toddler ages six to 23 months should be at the height of 32 inches high. The dealer for playground equipment that you will eventually choose should provide you with complete information regarding the age-appropriate height of the equipment. Tables and Benches should not be more than 40 inches for toddlers.

Molanda Company provides the best service as a dealer of quality and safe public park equipment such as tables, chairs, benches, umbrellas and grills. They also provide safe playground equipment for kids such as swings, slides and merry-go-round. Come and visit Molanda Company or call them today at 217-855-5477.

As the experts put it, a playground should be a hub for kids to enhance their social, physical and emotional skills. Having an open playground in schools, in parks or in the community will help kids interact and with other kids building social connection. They also note that playground facilities develop children’s flexibility and motor skills. Thus, choosing quality playground equipment is a must.

There might be a lot of considerations in choosing playground equipment. But basically, there are just three important things to consider:

Value of fun and learning: A playground is a fun and enjoyable place. And, the more equipment it has, the more fun it will be for kids. You can have see saws, slides, climbers, swings, play houses and obstacle courses scattered around the place for the kids to enjoy. Colors enhance the fun environment in a playground too. So choose equipments with colorful designs to create a festive mood that kids will like.

Playground equipments should not only be fun. They should also be able to provide and facilitate learning and progress to kids. So make sure that each piece of equipment contributes to the development of the motor and mental skills of your child.

Durability: In choosing playground equipments, make sure that they will last long so you won’t have to buy new ones year after year. Consider the materials used for the equipment. There are playground equipments made of wood, metal, aluminum and plastic. Each has their own pros and cons.

Materials made of Wood are strong but may rot through time especially if the equipments are exposed to drastic weather changes. Metal and aluminum are stronger but may corrode and rust. Plastic are lighter and cheap, but it may fail to support heavier children.

Be careful in looking on the specifications of the equipments you buy for your playground. Choose only equipments made of high-grade materials to ensure quality and durability.

Safety: Safety is the most important consideration when choosing equipments. While you cannot foresee playground accidents, prevent them by making sure that the equipments are safe to use.

Examine the equipments first before buying. If they are pre-made, check the corners and edges as well as the joints to see if they are sturdy enough. For see saws, check sockets and bolts and make sure they are intact. For climbers, check each bar if they are well-attached to their support. For swings, make sure that the ropes or chains are strong enough to support weight.

You should always be keen and meticulous in choosing the right equipment for your playground. Make Think about these three important considerations when you buy see saws, slides and other playground equipments for a safe and long lasting fun and enjoyment!

Building playgrounds for kids is an exciting way to give the youngsters a place to enjoy and play. Playgrounds enhance not only the services but also the value of parks, communities, and schools.

Here are some of the things to consider when building playgrounds:

Area: Basically, the first thing, to look for when building playgrounds, is the area where it will be built. It can be in parks, in daycare centers or a vacant lot in a small community. Survey the area for its size and condition. Identifying and examining the area give you the idea on how many facilities you can put into it and how many children it can accommodate. Think of possible ways to develop it. Will you grow grass on it or leave it as it is? Take note that the bigger the area, the more equipment and facilities you can put into it. And more facilities mean more fun not only for kids but for adults as well.

Facilities: Playgrounds should have great equipment and facilities to make it more exciting. When choosing the facilities, it is important to consider the value of fun and learning they can give to kids. You can put seesaws, slides and obstacle courses in your playground for kids to enjoy. These equipments contribute to the development of children’s motor skills. You can also add some learning facilities like tables with chess and checker boards drawn on it or huge ABC blocks and play houses to enhance the children’s mental and social skills. Playgrounds should also have benches for adults to sit on while watching their kids playing.

Design: Utilize the space well when designing the playground. Be sure to organize playground facilities in a manner that they do not block one another. The design should be methodical. It should also promote safety.

Safety: Playgrounds should not just be fun. They should also be safe. As always, safety should be a top consideration when building playgrounds. Kids are very energetic and playful so they will do a lot of running and climbing. Make sure that the floor is well-kept and not slippery. Also, make sure that the equipments are intact and are properly installed in their appropriate places. Once built, make sure that the playground will have constant maintenance to ensure safety.

Cost: How much is your budget? You should have a budget plan on the amount you will spend in building playgrounds. It will always help you keep track of the financial aspect of the project. To save more, find a supplier that can offer you good deals for the materials and facilities to be used. There are a lot of them whom you can contact and make a deal with.

Keep these considerations in mind to build exciting playgrounds that are fun and safe.