One of the biggest mistakes you can make in designing a play-space for children is to view it from an adults perspective. That themed playhouse or pirate ship just looks fantastic to your eyes and you can't resist buying it...but is it really what the children NEED?
Sure, they'll WANT almost every picture you show them, but that doesn't make it an essential for long term development, durability or enjoyment. If you've ever read the 'My Naughty Little Sister' story where she plays with the push horse as a pram and the oven as a coal train will know what I mean!
What you really do need is a space that can be as large as the child's imagination. By making it a 'specific' space, you are confining the child and limiting their choices. When what you really want a space to do is empower the child, not confine them!
So opt for a design that is based soundly on the principles of child development, make sure EVERYTHING is there for a good reason, not just to waste money, or to be on the tip by next summer. So always have these questions in mind - why is this included? what will it do to enhance the child's experience? will it still have play value in 5 years time?
You need equipment that promotes bi-lateral movement, this is an essential and I'll include a post that focuses just on this at a later date for people who are unsure of why this is so important. So consider how can you include elements to promote problem solving and creativity, how can you include focal points because these create talking points.
It should be aesthetically pleasing, because why should children be patronised? We all like to be in nice places, it enhances the self-esteem to know people value us and helps build respect...we want to keep beautiful places beautiful.
I have been to places where they have spent a fortune on planters, sounds reasonable, children engaging with planting and growing is fantastic! But the wood is unsuitable for purpose being flimsy with splinters and it rots within a couple of years and the fittings are not to safety standard and can easily be tampered with. After a couple of winters, they're more of a hazard than a resource and you see this all the time in outdoor equipment. So before you buy, or design, think it through and decide what is really going to help your child or children learn and develop while they're having fun!
Sure, they'll WANT almost every picture you show them, but that doesn't make it an essential for long term development, durability or enjoyment. If you've ever read the 'My Naughty Little Sister' story where she plays with the push horse as a pram and the oven as a coal train will know what I mean!
What you really do need is a space that can be as large as the child's imagination. By making it a 'specific' space, you are confining the child and limiting their choices. When what you really want a space to do is empower the child, not confine them!
So opt for a design that is based soundly on the principles of child development, make sure EVERYTHING is there for a good reason, not just to waste money, or to be on the tip by next summer. So always have these questions in mind - why is this included? what will it do to enhance the child's experience? will it still have play value in 5 years time?
You need equipment that promotes bi-lateral movement, this is an essential and I'll include a post that focuses just on this at a later date for people who are unsure of why this is so important. So consider how can you include elements to promote problem solving and creativity, how can you include focal points because these create talking points.
It should be aesthetically pleasing, because why should children be patronised? We all like to be in nice places, it enhances the self-esteem to know people value us and helps build respect...we want to keep beautiful places beautiful.
I have been to places where they have spent a fortune on planters, sounds reasonable, children engaging with planting and growing is fantastic! But the wood is unsuitable for purpose being flimsy with splinters and it rots within a couple of years and the fittings are not to safety standard and can easily be tampered with. After a couple of winters, they're more of a hazard than a resource and you see this all the time in outdoor equipment. So before you buy, or design, think it through and decide what is really going to help your child or children learn and develop while they're having fun!
image from an Appleyard Designed and installed play area in Lancashire.
Hand made sculptures were added to create a focal point, with beaten copper leaves to change with time and seasons.
Totally agree! Places should be beautiful and bought children's equipment is just so patronising!! Children should be allowed the freedom to express themselves creatively, doesn't happen often enough!I personally hate those 'themed' boat water tray type things and that kind of outdoor play equipment! Those shop-tills with McDonalds signs on irritate me too!! AAARRGGG
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