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Deep Cleaning Astroturf Sports Surfacing Maintenance

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Deep Cleaning Astroturf Sports Surfacing Maintenance is an annually ongoing maintenance schedule set up with schools, leisure centres, colleges and universities. The deep cleaning is carried out once a year or twice a year preferably which basically will help keep the sports pitch keep its playing performance and lifespan of the carpet. This deep cleaning of the infill will prolong the life expectancy of the pitch and the amount of time before a refurbishment, restoration, revitalisation or sports pitch rejuvenation is needed.

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The maintenance visit includes sweeping the surfacing, removing any surface debris from the area prior to the deep cleaning process. The deep cleaning machine decompacts the silica sand infill to a depth of 5-7mm, lifts and opens the carpet fibres and as it sucks up the sand infill it cleans the silica sand trapping any moss, algae and algal squidge and redistributes the new cleaned sand which is normally Garside 2ew or Chelford 30. While on-site during this maintenance process we will test and check on seams and joints repairing any damaged lines but this may be at an extra cost if it is failing in several places.

The deep cleaning is carried out throughout the UK on full-sized hockey pitches to smaller multi-use games area ball court MUGAs. This process is carried out mainly to the sand-filled synthetic turf which is normally a 22-24mm artificial grass carpet ideal for sports like football, hockey, basketball, tennis and multi-use.

For further details on the deep cleaning maintenance please get in touch with us through our contact form and send us the details of your project including an area size and location for the works. Alternatively, you can visit our website here which will explain the process, product sheets, case studies and details of the different works we can carry out.

Floodlight All Weather Sports Pitch

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Floodlit all-weather sports pitches are now an integral part of sporting play in the UK. The construction of the all-weather pitch is dependent on many factors. Design, specification, dimensions of the court and location can all have an impact on the final budget. Although funding can be achieved through funding websites and government initiatives.

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Sports Floodlighting Experts

Have floodlights at your sports facility can increase its usability and create opportunities for more revenue. It is common for schools to have floodlit all-weather pitches which they can rent out during the evenings. This doesn’t just limit them to using the area in the daytime for lessons and after school clubs. We often carry out sports pitch construction work at various UK locations and we can include floodlights into this.

All-weather sports pitches are often constructed with floodlights and this lighting will allow the facility to be open at night and increase turnover. The kickabout ball court can be made with numerous different specialists surfacing. Some of the common specifications include:

  • 2G synthetic turf
  • 3G artificial grass
  • Porous Macadam
  • Polymeric MUGA

We offer various design options when installing these facilities. Our team would be happy to discuss costs and offer a quote that suits your budget. You should also consider any maintenance requirements when installing a new sports facility.

All-Weather Pitch Accessories

Adding floodlighting to sports facilities is becoming increasingly common in the UK. It maximises the features of the area and ensures it can be used even after daylight hours. Another common accessory for all-weather pitches is fencing. There are many types of perimeter fences we can supply with one of the most common being sports rebound fencing. This helps keep the area secure when it’s not in use as well as preventing loss of equipment from the facility.

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You should have a regular cleaning schedule for the facility to prevent future costs in repairs or resurfacing. You can purchase various tools and equipment to keep the surface clean and in top condition. We would recommend carrying out routine brushing and jet washing of hard court surfaces. For synthetic turf facilities, drag brushing should be done to evenly distribute the infill.

The different surfaces will have different maintenance costs and these can include resurfacing, cleaning and anti-slip applications. Soft Surfaces Ltd are a turnkey contractor who is a specialist in this sector.

Padel Tennis Court Surfacing Installers

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Padel tennis is an exciting sport that has been rapidly increasing in popularity over the last two years and now over 2 million people play it worldwide. Originating in Mexico in 1969, padel tennis is played and scored in a similar way to squash and tennis. However, it is always played in doubles and the players use perforated paddles instead of racquets.

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Padel Tennis Court Surfacing

A padel tennis court is built to smaller specifications than a tennis court at 10m wide and 20m long, with more simple gameplay line markings. These padel courts are similar to squash courts in the sense that the padel tennis court surfacing is surrounded by glass or concrete walls which the ball can bounce off.

There are a number of different flooring materials which we use when constructing tennis court surfacing. Some of the options include:

  • Macadam
  • Polymeric rubber
  • Artificial grass

All of these provide great performance characteristics for the game. These surfaces are all porous, allowing for efficient water drainage which reduces the risk of water damage and flooding. This also helps to make the court an all-weather surface suitable for use all year round.

Higher Demand for Padel Courts

As padel tennis is now the most popular sport in Argentina and Spain, the demand for the sport is on the rise across the rest of the world, and with this, the demand for good quality padel tennis court surfacing is also increasing. Schools, leisure centres and sports clubs are all looking to expand their sports facilities by installing padel tennis courts. This could be part of a MUGA sport facility which is an area with line markings for multiple activities.

Soft Surfaces Ltd are specialists in the installation and maintenance of these padel tennis courts, with over 15 years of experience in the sports and play surfacing industry we can offer you an outstanding professional service from quote to project completion.

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We can provide more information about the installation, maintenance, costs and specifications of padel tennis courts. Please fill in our contact form to speak to one of our experts. If you would like details about any of our other products or services please visit our website at http://softsurfaces.co.uk

We hope you found this article helpful, please share it if you did. What do you think about padel tennis? Is it going to be the next big thing? Let us know in the comments!

Playground Activities for the National Curriculum

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A lot of schools want to meet the National Curriculum’s requirements when it comes to activities being useful for children. There are several different games children can play to help with learning a variety of subjects and skills.

Keep reading to see some of our ideas on the best playground activities for the National Curriculum that you could include in lessons and playtimes.

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National Curriculum Play Area Equipment

When it comes to National Curriculum play area equipment, there are certain definitions when it comes to physical activities being performed on school playgrounds, these being:

  • Running – This helps children build up their fitness levels and gets their heart rates pumping.
  • Jumping – A key part of physical development for young children which encourages strength and agility.
  • Dancing – Kids can be creative and make up their own dance moves so they can have fun while staying active.
  • Balancing – Another important part of development for kids during their early years, walking along bridges and beams, and climbing different structures can help improve balance.

If a piece of equipment can allow children to perform these types of actions, then it is deemed to be effective in playground activities for the National Curriculum. However, it is important to know that these are just the physical aspects of things. Certain equipment might require more thinking than acting, improving skills like problem-solving, strategising, logical thinking, social skills etc.

See our different options for playground equipment here to find out more about what’s available.

These types of activities are often great for helping kids engage with subjects more frequently and enjoy them more than usual. Ofsted and the National Curriculum often appreciate when schools also provide equipment for students to improve their mental skills alongside physical, so it’s important to remember to balance your playgrounds with a mixture of both.

Having a playground storytelling area is one way of engaging children mentally and encouraging imaginative play. There are many different designs and types of seating you could choose for these facilities.

Key Stage One Games

When it comes to creating games for key stage one pupils, it’s important to keep in mind their skills and attention spans. Kids at this stage can easily be entertained but are very energetic. Physical activities are perfect for kids of this age. On the other hand, at this point, kids learn a lot quicker than any other age groups so introducing them to a few educational games and outdoor learning would also be beneficial.

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Introducing classic competitive games such as football, netball, basketball, cricket and rounders are great ways to build up an understanding of competition and how to be polite with good sportsmanship. Obviously, it will build up a lot of physical skills, but alongside this, it will build an understanding of teamwork, leadership and strategising. With this combination of skills, it’s a great way to appeal to the demands of kids at such a young age, whilst giving them benefits. Have a look at this post if you are interested in different maths games which can be incorporated into the playground.

In the video below you can see an installation of play area surfacing at an Early Years Centre in Uxbridge:

Movement and motif boards are a great method to get children dancing and understanding the importance of planning a routine. Again, this type of activity combines both physical and mental prospects and really benefits them on both sides. Encouraging this type of activity is great as it also provides a taste in music as well and introduces them into creative subjects.

Outdoor Games for KS2

Children in Key Stage 2 have matured a lot more and therefore start to become a bit harder to entertain and start to show distaste towards certain lessons and will lack engagement with them if they do not feel any interest. On the other hand, they still do keep the energy they had and still prefer play over work and learn at an accelerated rate through this method. There are plenty of playground designs for schools which you can use to help encourage children’s development.

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Climbing equipment can be installed during this age group due to the children’s muscles being a lot more developed and therefore allowing for more complex movements. Activities like climbing hugely boost muscle growth and fat burning whilst also improving good mental attitudes of not giving up. The best bit about this certain activity is how much energy it requires and how it can tire students quickly, meaning they become a lot more relaxed in lessons.

Graphic markings can be developed towards this age group as well, mainly by introducing more complex outdoor games for KS2 (whilst keeping it simple to understand). Compasses are incredibly popular for this age group as they start to understand geography and numeracy. Another great graphic is a dartboard. Requiring some strong maths and hand-eye coordination, this graphic can really wield some strong benefits for everyone who participates in them. See more about the floor marking designs on this page if you are interested in these.

Primary School Curriculum Activities

By introducing a mixture of physical and mental activities, you can really improve your students’ performances in and outside of school. Ofsted usually see playgrounds and activities as a major deciding factor for primary schools’ ratings, so it’s vitally important to introduce some great ones if you are aiming to improve your rating.

The governing bodies also suggest that having playground activities for the National Curriculum which challenge both physical and mental aspects is incredibly important. By meeting both organisations’ standards, parents will see your school as a much better option for their children to go and stay compared to your competitors.

Soft Surfaces are more than happier to help with any playground queries and/or ideas you may have. Simply send us a message and one of our team will get back to you quickly with some brilliant advice that you can’t find anywhere else.

Expressive Arts Playground Ideas

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Expressive arts make up some of the most important factors of children’s early development in any learning environment. While the classroom may be used to help pupils understand basic concepts, any child from 0 to 5 can engage in creative activities thanks to expressive arts playground ideas from an early age.

This type of play forms part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, for children up to 5 years of age. Therefore, playground equipment and associated modules can help to encourage preschool kids to express themselves through a variety of means. Drama, art, creative play and music all come together to form the arts, and these can be introduced to children early on in development.

Whether or not your child goes on to be an amazing artist or musician, it is a great idea to encourage creativity in pre-schoolers so that they can easily express themselves in the years to come. There are so many different options for Early Years outdoor play that you could incorporate into your playground facilities.

Many expressive arts playground ideas are making their way to school and preschool settings to help encourage early expression – here is a small overview of what to expect from such playground additions.

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Creative Outdoor Play Equipment

Children are amazingly imaginative and creative, and while plenty of standard playground equipment will help to bring out the explorer or the performer in your little ones, creative outdoor play equipment will help to develop expression even further.

Whether it’s making a mess, composing a tune or working with others to create something unique, the right expressive arts playground ideas will allow kids to explore worlds of sound, art, performance and more with little encouragement. For very young children, guidance is of course a must – but many types of creative play equipment can be simply supervised in order for kids to explore expressive arts in their own time.

Outdoor musical instruments are a great way for children to come together to make music and to understand how tunes are composed. Performance stages are a brilliant idea if you are aiming to encourage your kids to embrace drama and to show off their acting chops. You could also include den building equipment which children can use to make pretend houses and structures.

Activity play panels and messy play areas – that’s mud, sand, water and more – will delight youngsters of all ages, but will especially encourage those early developers to create, imagine and roleplay at their leisure. These outdoor play ideas and installations are easy to set up and are well-loved by kids up and down the country – and your pupils will need little encouragement to give them a go!

EYFS Expressive Arts and Design

EYFS Expressive Arts and Design, or EAD, is all about encouraging children’s curiosity. Creativity and curiosity should never be stifled, and revisions to EYFS now encourage teachers and guardians to help younger children explore various media and tools in order to easier express themselves with a wealth of creative materials and toys.

It’s all about imagination – while some children will be able to create worlds and characters through music, others will dive into drama. Some may simply prefer to sculpt and explore with mud and sand – there are no rights or wrongs! Plenty of these activities can be used to increase exercise levels, view this post for more details.

Artistic expression is encouraged from an early age purely to introduce children to the idea that it is healthy to question the world around them and to be curious. Encouraging young children to make choices, to explore ideas, and to create stories with a variety of toys and tools is a great way to help them understand that it’s fun and healthy to be creative and to explore with their imagination.

Playground ideas and expressive art tools can help pupils to develop healthy confidence in a variety of skills and abilities, as well as to pursue creative endeavours if they wish to in later life. These tools and practices are designed and introduced to help children think and act creatively from an early age, so that they may put such confidence to use in later life.

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Early Years Musical Instruments

In early years musical instruments are developed and provided to allow children to explore a wild world of sound just waiting at their fingertips. Some of the commonly installed ones include:

  • Xylophones
  • Drums
  • Bells
  • Horns
  • Keyboards
  • Wind Chimes

Every musical instrument makes a different noise in a variety of tones, and while not every child may grow up to be Mozart, it’s healthy for them to explore and to understand the beauty of music and the different ways in which they can create tunes and sounds that appeal to them.

Instruments introduced as part of a wealth of playground ideas also make for brilliant collaboration. Encouraging children to work together from an early age is a fantastic idea – and making music together is not only exciting, but it also offers something new each and every time they play.

Along with other outdoor play installations, musical toys and games can be supervised with ease, particularly with younger children, while older ones can explore various sounds and instruments in their own time. Encouraging children to explore music in their own way is a great idea – these creative playground standards are here to be enjoyed, not to be regimented!

Nursery Dance and Drama Equipment

Dance and drama are two fantastic ways to help children express themselves. Many creative playground ideas, including specialised nursery dance and drama equipment, can be used to help youngsters explore characters, ideas and stories that their imaginations can brew up. As children grow older, their imaginations will, of course, develop and grow stronger – and it is in these early years of development that they should be encouraged the most. You could also incorporate imaginative play ideas into your outdoor space.

Outdoor drama stages, themed props and equipment can be fully supervised for a variety of games and productions, though older children can again be encouraged to work together to perform stories, musicals and more. See our full range of options for nursery play facilities here.

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There are many brilliant expressive arts playground ideas that can be put to use to help children to express themselves. Imagination and creativity are powerful tools that should never be stifled – and there’s never been a better time to start encouraging creative play for younger kids.

Ofsted Requirements for Outdoor Play

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Meeting Ofsted’s expectations can be incredibly stressful for a school due to how important it is. Getting a great rating can easily boost your popularity and gain you more students. Believe it or not though, one thing both Ofsted and students look for when picking a school is the playground.

There are many ways you can meet Ofsted requirements for outdoor play with various types of equipment and a range of games. View this post as well to learn more about play activities to meet the National Curriculum objectives.

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Key Things Ofsted Look for in Playgrounds

Inspections by Ofsted can be incredibly confusing for a school if they don’t know what kind of stuff to do to meet their expectations. Luckily, Ofsted release tips which schools can focus on to improve their overall rating and outdoor play provision and playgrounds. Some points made by them include:

  • Outdoor learning is fun – The outdoor environment should be enthralling and stimulating, whilst also being thought-provoking.
  • All seasons – Schools should extend all-year-round opportunities for learning outdoors and finding adventure.
  • Good usage – Teachers should know the right time to bring children outside to learn and try to avoid excessive use or minimum use.
  • Limitations to outdoor learning – Certain subjects/activities cannot be done since the school does not have a suitable learning environment.
  • Lack of focus and purpose – If a playground has too many unrelated; the playground can end up losing its effect and therefore, has no clear purpose or focus.

From these few points, you should be able to see how important playgrounds are and how much they can affect the rating of a school. Following the key things Ofsted look for in playgrounds will really help your rating and will also create a highly effective environment for kids to learn whilst having fun. You can also find out how to prepare your playground for winter to make sure it’s safe for the children to use.

Improving Your School Play Activities

Improving your playground can be a hard experience to undertake since you might not understand how it could be improved. However, there is always room for improvement regardless of how good it may be. There’re a few different things you can do to make your playground even better and raise that rating you have.

Thermoplastic graphics are a great way to improve the playground. With the imaginative graphics and bright colours, kids can end up becoming entertained by them due to the requirement of imagination required. Mix with textures and bright colours and the flooring becomes a lot more enticing and interesting to look at. View this page to learn more about these graphics.

Another thing which can be done is including new equipment. Variety is then added to the playground and therefore, children won’t find themselves getting bored as quickly. The key thing is to try to avoid any kids getting bored throughout their time on the playground as this is a very clear indicator that your playground lacks any interesting activities/equipment.

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Ofsted Recommendations for Primary School Play Areas

Ofsted look for certain factors and features in playgrounds to see if the school promote a healthy lifestyle in both physical and mental aspects. Looking at some of the reports Ofsted have released, the points they have made include:

  • Variety of experiences – playgrounds shouldn’t just focus on one main activity, instead they should cover a wide range of different activities. With this, children will start to understand more about the world around them and therefore will have a stronger concept of certain topic areas.
  • Outdoor learning – some resources should be constructed to assist with outdoor learning due to the benefits it can carry with it. Especially in the early years, outdoor learning can help with physical development.
  • Promotion of literacy and numeracy – regardless of the playground, if it has some sort of activities/promotion of English and Maths skills then Ofsted believe the playground to be more beneficial for the children engaging with it.
  • Imaginative play – creativity and imagination should be used by children when playing on the playground so any equipment/activities that promote this type of thinking is seen incredibly positively by Ofsted.
  • Outdoor learning should be as effective as indoor learning – even though indoor learning is a lot more common and well-known, Ofsted believe the outdoor learning is equally as important and should be focused on equally as indoor learning.

It might not seem like much, but these are just a few recommendations which seem to be the most important, so you should try your best to make sure your playgrounds meet the expectations set by Ofsted. By doing this, you can increase your rating by a considerable amount, so it’s always important to keep these requirements in your head.

The video above shows our team installing an outdoor play surface for a primary school in Fulborn. This included the installation of wetpour safety flooring and an artificial grass lawn along with various types of equipment.

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School Playground Design Specialists

When it comes to designing your playground to meet Ofsted’s expectations, there’s no better company to call than Soft Surfaces. Creating a playground like this requires a strong knowledge of what children want and Ofsted’s criteria, which can be incredibly frustrating and confusing for a lot of other people. There are many types of primary school play equipment which you could consider if you want to make the outdoor space more interactive.

However, with over 20 years of experience and countless installations as school playground design specialists, Soft Surfaces are prepared to help you with every step of the process. Whether it’s design or installation, our team will be more than happier to talk you through each step to make sure that you are fully understanding of what’s happening.

Ranging from EYFS activities to KS2 playgrounds, our group of professionals will make sure that the installation is carried out with the utmost efficiency. Again, our strong knowledge of this industry makes us one of the best companies to go to for these types of jobs. If you have any queries about Ofsted requirements for outdoor play, send us an enquiry today!

Best Playground Equipment for Primary Schools

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Finding the best playground equipment for primary schools isn’t just about finding options which are cost-effective to your budget! The most fun kids can have is with equipment and toys which have been specifically designed to help with their development, and which allow them to outwardly express themselves while having fun at the same time.

As I’m sure we all remember, school isn’t always about the lessons and the learning – it’s about break times, making friends and having fun. The best playground equipment for younger pupils is that which has been specifically designed with children in mind – and not as a means to an end.

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Playground toys and standards come in all shapes and sizes, and have evolved over the years to become safer and more eclectic for growing kids’ tastes. Swing sets, hopscotch, seesaws and more are still well-loved and are great ways for you to really encourage your kids to have fun – but there’s plenty to be said for variety, too! Let us show you some of the brilliant ways you can help to create a safe, healthy and fun primary school playground for kids aged 4 to 11 to really enjoy.

School Play Area Equipment

School play area equipment can arrive in all shapes, sizes and colours, and while you may wish to move towards more traditional equipment which you know works well for kids of all ages, there’s also plenty to be said for new and exciting playground standards to help your school stand out from the rest!

Our vast selection of recreational games and features will allow kids to play safely with friends on an autonomous basis – while you’ll always have a guardian keeping watch over your children, our play area essentials come with peace of mind guaranteed. We can also provide playground safety surfacing to help prevent injuries from trips and falls.

The best playground equipment for primary schools is that which genuinely inspires kids. While frames and slides and swing sets of old will still be great fun for kids of various ages, children need more of a variety in their playground to help keep their minds active and willing to play. See this post on how active play can help improve children’s mental health.

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Kids of all ages need a healthy and varied stimulus – and with a variety of games and installations available to you, there’s no reason why you can’t build your own unique school playground space at a minimal budget.

Children’s Playground Activities

Many children’s playground activities revolve around physical exertion through gentle play – which is why you will need to look for playground standards which are well-reviewed and thoroughly tested for safety and fun before you opt for any installation!

As a provider of playground activities and games to hundreds of schools up and down the country, it’s our job to make sure you have access to a huge range of games and outdoor activities which will inspire your kids to come away from their screens and to get some good old-fashioned outdoor fun into their schedule once in a while! A variety of inclusive play area designs are available so you can create a space that suits children of different abilities.

Play needs to be encouraged throughout each and every primary school day – it’s a time when children can be at their most creative, and some of the playground standards we provide not only help children to keep fit in a safe, orchestrated manner, but also to allow kids to enjoy playing with their friends and to develop creatively from day today.

Mazes and traditional playground marking games will help to encourage mental play while rope ladders, slides and soft play areas will encourage physical play that helps youngsters to exert themselves in ways that the classroom may not be able to ask of them.

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Primary School Play Apparatus

No two pieces of primary school play apparatus are quite the same, though it’s safe to say that you’ll be able to mix and match a number of brilliant games and activities together to create that perfect package. Check out our top 5 playground trends to get some more inspiration from popular designs.

Safe outdoor playground equipment such as roundabouts, climbing frames or even extensive outdoor adventure zones will allow you to easily encourage your pupils to have fun outside the classroom. Some of the common pieces we see are:

  • Tricky infinity trails
  • Play panels
  • Musical games
  • Sandpits
  • Water tables
  • Tunnels and channelling
  • Rope bridges
  • Den building kits – More info here.

These will stimulate the mind as well as encouraging physical play – meaning that learning never has to stop inside the classroom. Check out this post to find out more about how climbing benefits primary school children.

Multi-skilled games and trim trails, too, will encourage your kids to really step out of their comfort zones and into a world of safe play that you can rely upon day in, day out. Our equipment is brought together by a number of trusted brands and suppliers, meaning we are proud to offer some of the best playground equipment for primary schools throughout our area and the country beyond.

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From safe and soft flooring to protective fencing and even ‘chillout zones’ for kids to congregate in, there’s a wild array of choices for you to pick from – why not take a closer look at some brilliant games and activities which may await your children in the near future?

Kids Outdoor Fitness Equipment

Keeping an eye on kids’ fitness levels has never been more important, and through the careful use of outdoor playground equipment and sports standards, you’ll be able to encourage your pupils to get stuck into regular outdoor play sessions with very little effort.

Kids’ outdoor fitness equipment such as climbing walls and frames, obstacle courses and adventure mazes are great ways for any school play area to really bring out the fitness fanatic in any pupil. Once again – you can mix and match a variety of classic outdoor play standards alongside cutting-edge and contemporary ideas to really get your kids up and moving.

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The best playground equipment for primary schools is right here to be marvelled at – take a look at some of the wild ideas we have lined up for break times and we’re sure you’ll find an eclectic and affordable mix to inspire pupils of all ages. Getting your pupils up and moving – while still learning and developing outside of the classroom environment – just got a whole lot easier. Explore, create, climb, dance and more!

Sand and Water Play Activities for Kids

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Many playgrounds today have a wide range of activities that kids can take part in for fun and for learning. Some of the most popular examples of certain equipment which can perform both of these requirements are sand and water play activities for kids.

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School Sand and Water Activities

Schools often have access to sand and water activities for the younger years due to how positively they are thought of by children. Messy play is one of the most favourited forms of play for younger kids and so these types of activities are often requested and wanted. A combination of them both is usually the best as kids can then experiment with mixing the two together. Read this post as well to find out more about outdoor learning activities kids can do.

Sand activities are the most common utility. Installed in a variety of parks and playgrounds, they gain a lot of attention with the younger children. These activities are often set inside a simple box and filled with sand. In many cases, you can slide a lid over the top of the box to protect it, and this also then doubles up as a stage or podium.

Water activities can be set out differently, however. Commonly, these types of activities are held in a simple table with an incredibly shallow depth. Parents can be assured that children won’t hurt themselves on this type of activity. Alongside this, sometimes pipes and channels are used. Kids can see the water transport from one point to another and even move them around to create a circuit.

Learn more about the benefits of playing with water and sand here if you are interested in how these activities can help children.

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Benefits of Sand and Water Play

Sensory activities like these ones can benefit children in a wide amount of ways. Some of the benefits of sand and water play include:

  • Improvement of coordination skills – Development of arm and hand muscles, gross motor and cognitive skills. Alongside this, kids also gain a stronger understanding of mathematics, balancing and weighing.
  • Group and independent play – Taking part in these activities encourage children to explore group activities, as well as focusing on personal projects. It helps give a better idea of the difference in both styles. There are many benefits of outdoor play which enhance children’s development.
  • Enhances social skills – Whilst taking part in these activities, children will be thrown into situations where they must communicate and act with others. Sandpits and water stations are great for interactions like this as they don’t only improve social communication, but actions like sharing and defusing arguments.
  • Promotion of creativity and imagination – During their interactions with the sensory stations, children often become a lot more imaginative and creative in these situations. Considering Ofsted want to promote the improvement of imagination and creativity, these stations are vital for it.
  • Understand more about properties – Knowledge of colour, size, capacity, measurements, weight and time become more improved whilst kids interact with sand and/or water. A better understanding of the world around them is constructed.
  • Relaxing whilst entertaining – Sometimes children don’t want to take part in full-on activities which many playgrounds offer and may instead just want to chill out and relax for a bit. Sensory stations like these have this effect on kids and therefore can be incredibly beneficial for them.

As you can see, there are loads of benefits to sand and water play that a child can gain. The popularity of these types of utilities makes sense once you understand how beneficial and successful they are in most playgrounds.

School Playground Sand Pits

Sandpits in school playgrounds are incredibly common. These are usually installed for much younger age groups as they are designed around the main concept of fun and introducing kids to different materials and feelings. This can be done as part of independent learning activities where children are able to discover new things for themselves.

The sand in these pits is usually just dry and clean so the children can enjoy using it safely. Being soft and light, it helps children feel more comfortable within the actual boundaries. On the other hand, some areas of the pit can be made into wet sand. This is the material used for building so kids often interact more with this type of over the other, whilst dry sand is better for relaxing areas or first introductions to the material.

Lessons can be done with the sandpit as well with the material being mouldable and having interesting reactions with water. It helps kids understand a lot more about the material and its applications in the modern world, overall creating a more effective lesson. Find out more about National Curriculum play activities if you are interested in using the playground in lessons.

Water Table for Kids

Usually said to be the more uncommon one out of the two, water tables can be installed in any key stage (like sandpits) but often find themselves being mainly used in the younger age groups. Water has many interesting properties and when kids interact with it, they start to become fascinated by it.

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As the key stage increases, water tables are often used for teaching science (mainly physics). As kids can see the theory being put into actual practice, it will make a lot more sense than explaining something that they have no clue about and how it applies to real life. It’s a great method to combine the real world into lessons.

Benefits of Climbing in Primary School

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During the fun and exciting years of primary school, children will develop much quicker than at any other time of their life. They have the opportunity to socialise and develop skills that will carry them through into adulthood and the playground equipment that they are introduced to and allowed to explore has a very big impact on how their core strength, stability and motor skills evolve.

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There are so many structures that have been designed to enhance different areas of physical and mental development and for many years, schools that have had climbing equipment fitted in their play areas have seen numerous benefits for the children that play on them.

The short-term change is noticeable and children will challenge themselves and tackle greater equipment as they build their confidence. See our range of options for school playgrounds here to find more ideas. Apart from the strength-building benefits, climbing equipment encourages the sturdy development of gross motor skills such as hand-eye and foot-eye coordination, along with leadership and problem-solving skills.

There is a lot of research that shows the impressive benefits of climbing in primary school and therefore many schools all over the country are turning to these exciting structures to help with many aspects of their pupil’s development.

Playground Climbing Frames

Climbing frames and apparatus was first introduced in Germany back in the 19th century, and they have come on leaps and bounds since. Starting from simple old metal frames and evolving into the array of cleverly crafted masterpieces seen across primary schools today.

By exploring these varieties of climbing frames, a child’s cognitive development will excel thanks to the range of problem-solving experiences that they will encounter. It will also help improve memory, and by feeling a sense of fear, but the motivation to complete the task will also benefit children. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Physical development
  • Improving strength
  • Agility skills
  • Confidence boosting
  • Encourages controlled risk-taking

Many playground climbing frames will utilise a variety of inclines, levels and distances between platforms which is a great way of increasing the child’s awareness to their own body position and movement; an ability that is necessary for life! These are all great for improving children’s exercise levels through play instead of just PE lessons.

As mentioned previously, working memory can be improved by doing these activities and the evidence for this is apparent. In 2015, a study was published whereby children that had spent just two hours climbing had increased their capacity for working memory by 50%.

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Outdoor Agility Games and Activities

Many specially designed climbing frames have been created to encourage the child to play around with agility and puzzle-solving skills. Recommendations for outdoor agility games and activities are often provided by the manufacturers upon installation, but many more games can be created by children and teachers alike to encourage optimal use of the climbing frame.

Many frames can be accessed from every angle which keeps the structure exciting and like a new challenge each time it is used. Activities that focus on teamwork and team-building challenges are great for children and help develop social skills that will be utilised throughout their lives. When a child climbs to the top of a frame, celebrating the accomplishment with others is a brilliant confidence booster. There are many ways to maximise the value of play equipment if you are trying to get the best results.

By working as a team to reach the top, children have the chance to learn valuable teaching, listening and communication skills – the same skills that kids will use with their friends at home, or in the classroom and later in life, at work. Remember, the skills that are learnt in these important years of development are not skills that will just simply disappear or not be used – they are skills that will remain with them for the rest of their life.

Climbing Equipment for Young Children

Many companies which design and build this equipment have researched and often taken part in research, that helps create the perfect climbing equipment for pupils of various ages. The climbing apparatus created for younger children, will certainly not keep a 10-year-old entertained, and a piece of equipment designed for a 10-year-old will be much too dangerous for a 4-year-old.

Height and distance will increase as the child’s age increases, so be sure to have a solid idea of who will be using this equipment before purchasing.

Calculated risks are what all children must learn how and when to, or not to, take. Yet it is the adult’s duty to ensure that the equipment is suited to the child’s age, and no serious injury shall occur. Climbing frames allow kids to constantly assess the risk of falling and hurting themselves, but of course, this does not mean that children should be put in dangerous situations.

With the correct, age suited equipment, kids can assess and navigate risk by themselves; an extremely valuable skill that would be difficult to teach.

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Boosting Physical Development in School

Climbing is something that children learn from a young age, whether climbing a set of stairs at home or pulling themselves up onto a couch or chair. It is an instinctive behaviour that dates to our evolutionary ancestry and, although we do not spend 24 hours a day traversing trees and heights anymore, it still has its important evolutionary advantage.

Climbing frames in schools help improve fitness levels as well as balance and agility alongside spatial and directional awareness. The stretching, reaching and swinging works children’s muscles so that they can grow and strengthen as they should. Not only is it aiding muscle development, but it is also providing cardiovascular exercise and boosting physical development in school.

In an era where many children spend most of their day sitting down in classes, having that freedom to explore in a safe environment not only benefits the psychological development but also provides them with the opportunity to stay fit in an extremely fun, and natural, way. Playing outdoors and by or within green spaces offers benefits for a child’s development.

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Shockingly, fewer than 10% of children play in woodland areas, this is down from 50% just one generation ago. Fresh air and nature are important and can not only help reduce stress and behavioural issues in children, but it is much healthier than sitting in front of a computer screen, both mentally and physically.

Outdoor Play Area Ideas for Kids

Posted on by Elliot

Outdoor play can be fun by itself but sometimes it can become stale and uninteresting if its repeated to often. This blog will explore some common ideas which you can apply to your playground to make it more interesting and engaging.

You can find plenty of outdoor play area ideas for kids here and see which equipment and features you might want to install.

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School Playground Design Ideas

Coming up with the school playground design ideas can be tough work. People make it seem easier than it is but it can end up being difficult to do it by yourself. Picking the surfacing can be confusing as you may not know the difference between rubber mulch and wet pour, equipment can seem really overwhelming and even if you pick all of this, you’re still not guaranteed that the kids will enjoy it.

We at Soft Surfaces can help you understand more about the whole process and give you some of the best recommendations and advice the industry can offer. Over 20 years of experience makes us one of the most knowledgeable when it comes to these types of jobs.

A recommendation we offer is creating a playground that is built from different things. Through this design, you’ll be gaining the attention of pupils using it and allowing them to learn more about the world and what different things are on it. Or, you could make it bright and full of unique patterns. Doing this also has the same effect of gaining attention but proceeds to trigger their imaginations.

Have a look at this post to find out more about wetpour graphics for nurseries.

Play Area Activities for Children

Creating play area activities for children to take part in on the playground can really get them a lot more active and interested with it. Vibrant and colourful playgrounds can make pupils engaged a lot quicker and mixing them with activities can make the play area even more interesting. Activities can include:

  • Old-fashioned games – Thermoplastic markings in schools can make games like ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf’ a lot more interesting and popular than just other regular games. It can also help keep people entertained whilst they wait for equipment to be free so it’s a brilliant way to keep kids from complaining about being bored.
  • Target games – Creating a target somewhere in the area will allow for the creation of games amongst the pupils. Ranging from who can hit the bullseye to who can jump the furthest, this type of graphic can really get engagement and interest.
  • Be creative – Let the kids have full control over what the activity is and let them create it. Provide the tools and necessary equipment to them and let them go wild! Pupils will start to feel free to do what they want and through that, they become truly creative.

Simple yet effective, these activities are just a few outdoor play area ideas for kids that you could put into action in your playground to get full engagement from the users. Whether it is one of the old-fashioned classic games or more modern adapted games, creating activities like the ones listed above can really help create a brilliant atmosphere amongst the play area.

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Types of Equipment for a Nursery Playground

Children in nursery aren’t as energetic as kids in primary school, however, they are a lot more curious and explorative in nature. Key pieces of equipment are things that capitalise on these traits and try to interest whilst teach kids new things about the world around them. Some more popular types of equipment for a nursery playground include:

  • Sandpits and water tables – Due to the properties of both substances, kids absolutely love interacting with these pieces of equipment as it captures their imagination and creativity. Sandpits allow for teamwork and social activities to occur as kids start to build houses and other such things for playing with. Water tables get children thinking about how things work and introduce them to different states of matter.
  • Sensory stations – At this point in time, all five senses are experiencing new things and surroundings which slowly helps children build a better knowledge of the world around them. Sensory stations are made up of different musical instruments, materials, patterns and such to give kids a chance to explore new things and really learn more about their environments.
  • Obstacle courses – Many may think of obstacle courses as being physically intensive, but this isn’t always the case. Obstacle courses can be made to be more explorative and get kids imagining that they are on some wild adventure through the Amazon or anything they want. Linking to the previous point, by creating the course out of a wide range of different materials; kids will become a lot more imaginative and therefore will feel a lot more enticed to explore around the course and try to complete it.
  • Outdoor rooms – Sounds a bit weird but by creating an outdoor kitchen, office or shop can really get kids thinking. Role-playing is a huge part of a child’s growing up and it helps them build a solid understanding of the society we live in. Encouraging them to create relationships and communicate, role-playing should be highly encouraged throughout schools and this type of equipment is a great method.
  • Stages and platforms – These are perfect for expressive arts playgrounds as they give kids the option to put on their own plays and performances.

Pieces of equipment like these are a great way to get kids to explore the world and get a better understanding of how everything works, whilst not being boring or tiring. At this point, pupils learn the best through play as they can enjoy it whilst seeing the application of the subject/topic they are being taught in real life.

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Have a look at this video below which shows our team installing a wetpour play surface and graphics at a primary school.

This particular design involved a green wetpour background with different shapes including footsteps, a sun and splats. We also installed the wetpour safety surface around some timber equipment to help enhance the safety.

Garden Play Area Ideas

Encouraging kids to get involved with gardening is a brilliant idea as you can teach them a wide number of things ranging from patience to responsibility. There are loads of outdoor play area ideas for kids which can still apply to domestic gardens at home. Some may find it boring as it involves a huge amount of repetition, although there’re ways to make it more interesting for those kids through simple activities.

Building dens is another good activity which children can do using a variety of different equipment. Have a look at some of our den making ideas to find out more about what you can do.

Insect hunts introduce pupils to something incredibly interesting. Teach them about insects and everything about them and then give groups certain insects to find in the garden. Letting kids discover these insects for themselves creates a stronger idea of how there are other creatures that inhabit the earth and how they should be treated fairly and right.

Nature trails link incredibly well to the previous points and can be great as part of play area ideas. Take the class for a walk around the playground and explain to them more about the plants, creatures and equipment they encounter. Giving them a physical example really solidifies the point/information you are giving to them and may spark a strong interest in gardening. Maybe get them involved by helping with the gardening, improving organisation skills. Offering these activities in nursery can help improve school readiness for children and make them feel more prepared.

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A final recommendation which I think is incredibly relevant and fun is a scavenger hunt. Before starting, start hiding items around the garden. It’s up to you what you hide, you could make it educational and hide numbers around the garden and give your class maths problems to solve and for them to go find the answers. Once you have chosen the items to hide, gather the class and let them go on a hunt! Group work or individual work can be promoted through this activity, its all up to you.