School Playground - Soft Surfaces

Playground Surface HIC Safety Flooring

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Playground surfacing is installed throughout the UK to protect children on play equipment. Playground surfacing has progressed year on year and there are several different types of safety surfaces available to be installed all of which are designed for the children’s safety. The most common type of safety surfacing within the UK is wetpour surfaces. This is a two layered system of SBR base course rubber crumb which is basically recycled truck tyres, and then EPDM wearing course rubber crumb.

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Children’s Safe Play Areas

The safety of the children using our play areas is our top priority. This is why we always aim to use the best quality products and offer the best standards of installation. The two tiered wet pour system offers impact absorbing properties to help reduce injuries if children fall on it. These properties make it much safer than other playground surfaces like tarmac and concrete.

This is particularly important if you have any outdoor play equipment like climbing frames or trim trails. Children playing on these could fall from a height, and impact absorbing surfacing is crucial in helping to keep them safe.

What is Head Injury Criterion (HIC)?

The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is a measure of the likelihood of head injury arising from an impact. The HIC can be used to assess safety-related to vehicles, personal protective gear, and sport equipment. Normally the variable is derived from the measurements of an accelerometer mounted at the centre of gravity of a crash test dummy’s head when the dummy is exposed to crash forces. – Sourced from Wikipedia

When it comes to children’s play areas, avoiding head injuries is obviously a big concern. All pieces of outdoor play equipment will have a Critical Fall Height (CFH) which determines the depth of surface required. The greater the CFH the thicker the rubber surfacing we will need to install.

Design of Rubber Play Flooring

The wetpour safety surface is available in a range of colours but the most common are red, blue, green and yellow. Check out our range of wet pour colours to see which options we have available. Many people will choose to have graphics inserts added to the flooring to make it much more vibrant and exciting. These can include a range of shapes such as:

Numbers
Letters
Words
Animals
Maps
Compasses
Roadways

The different coloured wet pour graphics come pre-formed in the desired shape. Our team simply place them onto the area and install the EPDM rubber wearing course around them. We can create a bespoke design for each playground based on a number of themes. In addition, these graphics are made from the same shock-absorbing surface as the rest of the flooring to ensure safety.

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Our experienced team have completed work like this in various locations around the UK. We regularly work with schools, nurseries and local councils to install safe and exciting play spaces. A variety of products and designs are available and we can make the surfacing bespoke to suit what you need.

Check out the video below showing the installation of a wetpour surface. This show the full process of installing the different coloured shapes as well:

Feel free to get in touch with our team if you would like some more details on what we can do. We can offer quotes and pricing details for a variety of projects. Simply fill in the contact form to speak with us as soon as possible.

Tests for Playground Safety Flooring

Posted on May 23, 2024May 23, 2024 by Elliot

You would usually carry out tests for playground safety flooring after the installation of a play facility. It will often be when the area has been used a lot over time and you need to check the quality. Whether it’s a grass mat, rhino mulch rubber bark, wet pour insitu synthetic surface or artificial grass with shockpad flooring. Completing the tests should help to identify and hazards or maintenance which the area may need.

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Playground Testing Standards

The testing of the play areas is under the British Standards BS 7188, BSEN 1177 and BS EN 1176. These are the accreditations which you need to make sure the playing performance and safety requirements are to the standards set out. See more about each of these standards below:

The BS 7188 is a performance test that proves the surfaces meets the correct slip resistance and general playing characteristics. It’s important to check this so you can ensure the facility is safe for children running around, especially in wet weather.
The BSEN 1177 is the safety test that needs to be met for the CFH and HIC. This determines the Critical Fall Height and Head Injury Criteria set out from the playground equipment manufacturers and suppliers. The BS EN 1176 is also regarding the safe surfaces but is about the free fall space between the surface and the platform on the play area equipment.

When installing a safety surface for your playground you always want to make sure it meets these standards. This will help to ensure you have a safe and fun environment for kids to play.

Independent Play Area Tests

I would always suggest getting an independent report test certificate on this. Many schools, nurseries and local councils complete these tests for their play areas. At Soft Surfaces, we are able to provide you with an independent testing body. This could be on site tests or in an independent testing body laboratory.

It’s vital to keep children’s play facilities safe and secure. Over time the flooring can wear out and become slippery, knowing when to apply maintenance can help prevent accidents. If you do notice damage to the surface, we can supply a wetpour repair kit to fix it before it gets worse.

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Please contact us today for details on the tests or visit http://softsurfaces.co.uk/ for information on the surfacing types. We can supply and install a range of safety surfaces in various designs so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to give you a price for any work you need.

Den Building Ideas for Schools

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

New ideas are being needed for schools as they want to develop certain skills for kids, so they can have brilliant skills when they are in the later side of primary and prepare them for learning new things. Building dens is a great answer to this demand as this blog will show.

There are several different types of play equipment for schools and this is just one type which you can use. Check out some of our top den building ideas for schools and get some information for new activities.

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Skills Children Learn from Making Dens

Den building can give children loads of useful skills for the future. Building on physical, mental and social skills, this sort of activity should be encouraged a lot more throughout schools and homes to ensure healthy development is occurring. Skills that are developed include:

Independent/group work – Working on something like this is a great way to introduce children to what they can accomplish if they focus and work together. If they are building a den by themselves then they can understand what can be accomplished when a clear goal is set, and you work towards it. Helping children understand these two concepts at an early stage is a great way to build them into brilliant leaders and team players. See this post for more details on different outdoor learning ideas.
Creative skills – Obviously, building a den is going to allow a child to be incredibly creative. They should be given full control over the construction of it and allowed to decide what the outcome is. Not just this, but decision making will be developed and improved as the kids will have to decide what materials to use, what colours to paint with, the dimensions of the den etc.
Communication and social skills – Whether it’s being built or being used, a den is going to encourage children to talk and socialise with each other. Personally, I think this point is key as building a solid understanding of how to communicate and socialise properly will start to slowly introduce them to the world around them and of course, help them make friends.
Role-playing – Linking strongly to the previous point, this skill will help the child be slowly introduced to how society and the world around them operates. Of course, it’s also a lot of fun for them as most of the time they will act as other influential figures in their lives (parents, family, friends, characters) and usually re-enact past or present events. Children will usually build their den to represent the chosen scenario (a hospital, shop, post office etc.).
Problem-solving – Building dens won’t always go the way the child plans. Running into problems will be very common for them and they will be encouraged to think outside the box to solve the problem. Effective and a great skill to have, improving their problem solving will help children deal with issues in the future they may encounter.

With a wide range of skills being developed, many people can understand why den building is such a vital activity to include and encourage throughout the world. One key point to remember is that teachers and parents should have hardly any say over the development. Kids should be allowed to have full control over every step in the building process as this will allow them to learn all the skills without any being compromised.

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Den Building Kits

There are many different types of den building kits available depending on the situation the kid wants to build in. By this, some kids might want to build theirs inside whilst others may find it more fun to build them outside.

You can usually buy or put together bundles of equipment to build a strong and vibrant structure. It’s important to always check the content of these kits as most of the time, they contain everyday items which you can find around your house/school. Keep in mind though, some kits are great as they will contain a lot more supplies and offer more variety for the kid to be creative and fully express themselves. These can be used for a range of National Curriculum play activities to help children learn vital skills.

Outside dens usually require a lot more supports as there is usually less furniture to use. Boxes, crates, buckets and other similar things can all be used to hold up the materials. Inside is slightly different as tables, chairs, beds etc. can be used as support. Usually, inside dens will have a lot more focus on decoration and looks whilst outside dens are more focused on stability and working well.

Building a Den on the Playground

On the playground, they’ll be a wide variety of different den building ideas as all children will want to have some sort of contribution towards it. In addition, with it being located on the playground, children will interact with this daily and will look at it as a mode of escapism. Children will associate this space with escapism since it’s located on the playground, which is where they are given free time to mess around and play games.

As the den is located on the playground, the materials used to construct it might have to be a lot stronger and more resistant to damage. Doing this would avoid the chance of it collapsing or becoming unsafe for the children to play on. This type of activity is promoted by the National Trust who encourage children to embrace nature and the outdoors.

Try to stay out of the construction process and let the kids have full control and if they need any help with anything, they will proactively seek it. Apart from that, let the kids have some fun with the design and construction. You could even use different floor markings like these to mark out the different areas to build on.

Equipment for Making Dens at School

The best bit about building dens at school is that all the equipment you need is right there! Ranging from creation to decorating, children have all the tools to fully create their dream den without the restrictions of lack of supplies and tools. As well as this, kids will be surrounded by their friends meaning that they can feel a lot more engaged with the activity and find it a lot more fun.

A good thing you could incorporate is a few competitions to build on their competitive spirits. Ask them to build a den with a certain object present in it, or only with objects that are a certain colour. Through this as well, you can teach kids about things in a fun and interesting way without them feeling pressured into learning about it.

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Schools offer a great chance for kids to build dens and more importantly, improve the skills mentioned before. Slowly but surely, early years are starting to merge den building into their daily routines because of all the benefits and positive reception. Overall, whether at home or school, den building ideas are a great way to let the children enjoy themselves and fully express their ideas.

Creating a Storytelling Area in Your Playground

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

Schools often have favourite activities which they promote a lot more. Ranging from athletics to garden trips, it really depends what school you go to. However, one activity that a lot of schools promote and that works incredibly well is storytelling.

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Today’s post will explore more about the activity and how you can incorporate it into your curriculum. Check out this previous post to learn more about National Curriculum play activities. Creating a storytelling area in your playground doesn’t have to be difficult or involve a lot of expensive equipment.

School Story Time Equipment

Creating an environment to tell stories must be done perfectly. You can choose different types of school story time equipment to suit what you need. You’ll want to create a relaxing space that also captures children’s imaginations. The aim of telling a great story is to get the audience (in this case, the pupils) to escape into the fantasy land being described. It may seem hard at first, but the equipment used during this time can really affect this point.

Firstly, the seats. Most storytellers sit on a big chair to give the illusion of fantasy and fairy-tale. This chair usually has a tall backrest and resembles some sort of throne which again, gives the impression of a fantasy setting and lets the kid’s imaginations go wild. However, it really is up to you what kind of seating you do for the kids. A popular choice is little mushrooms as these usually gain the kids’ attention and engages them quickly and effectively.

It’s also a good idea to think about the surrounding areas on the playground. Maybe the floor surfacing could be a different material than just grass (like wetpour or rubber mulch) as the feeling of it will interest the children very quickly. Paintings/graphics of fantasy creatures will set the mood for the kids and will also ease their imagination into an active state to allow for a more engaging school storytime.

How Storytelling Can Benefit Children

Storytelling allows children to fully immerse themselves in a fantasy world whilst gaining benefits for the real world. It explains why so many early year schools have storytelling sessions and why it is encouraged so much amongst this age group. Here are some of the best benefits of telling stories can have on your pupils:

Allows children to explore their own culture (as well as others)
Broaden children’s ideas and method of thinking
Kids can empathise with new people, places and situations
Introduces differences and similarities between people
Wisdom is common to all people and cultures
Being nasty gets you nowhere whilst being nice can make you go far
Morals are taught

Not only can storytelling have benefits for individual pupils, but it can have a strong impact on the class, with positives like:

Promotes feelings of well-being and relaxation
Increasing children’s willingness to communicate their thoughts and feelings on certain matters
Verbal proficiency increases over time
Listening skills become a lot stronger
Active participation is encouraged massively through the stories
Use of imagination and creativity is more common meaning it becomes a lot stronger
Cooperation between pupils is increased through the activity

Many may see storytelling as just an act of entertainment and that it carries no benefits with it, but after noticing these points; you can see for yourself how much this simple activity can help children develop into stronger human beings whilst at the same time offering a lot of moments of laughter and smiles. Click here to see another article which talks about the benefits of telling stories.

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Playground Storytelling Seating Area

Seating areas are commonly placed outside because the environment can help set the tone of the story, as well as all the health benefits that it carries. Ofsted also loves these types of activities greatly due to them promoting outside teaching and how it gives another reason for classes to go outside and perform their activities there. Different types of school playground furniture can also be included in these areas.

As described before, seating areas often have one big chair (usually shaped like a throne) for the reader and a dozen small seats for the audience. Using this format allows children to understand who the storyteller is, and it grabs their attention visually, giving a stronger focus on the actual story itself. There are plenty of different designs options for a playground storytelling seating area if you are interested in something like this.

The atmosphere is incredibly important as reading a story in class may sound like a good idea but with all the surroundings being linked to education and boring, kids will instantly not feel engaged with the story and end up becoming bored as well. Outside however offers a different atmosphere for the kids and will get their attention a lot easier as the outsides atmosphere is a lot more exciting and unknown.

Reading Stories for Primary School Children

Children of primary school age will enjoy and learn from these activities as they are beginning to develop their reading and listening skills. More complex stories can be read however you must keep in mind that they are still children, and certain genres and books aren’t suitable still. There are many benefits of reading stories for primary school children as it can enhance many skills.

Obviously, books directed at adults don’t do well. It’s important to choose books that are age-appropriate for the class so they don’t become bored or find it hard to follow the story.

Good stories to choose from would be things like fantasy fiction. Children love to use their imagination at this age and will want to explore new worlds. Fictional creatures often interest the kids quicker as they must imagine how it looks and acts. Escapism is achieved a lot quicker through this type of story and therefore, children become a lot more endorsed and enjoy the activity a lot more.

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There are plenty of options when it comes to creating a storytelling area in your playground. You can choose from a variety of coloured flooring designs along with seating and equipment to make the space even more exciting.

Get in touch with our team today to get more information on the designs and costs of installing a facility like this.

Outdoor Playground Roadway Design

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

One of the most common products that we have installed for schools and nurseries is an outdoor playground roadway design. These will feature the layout of a road printed onto the play area surface and can also include a number of other related graphics.

The colourful shapes and patterns provide a fun area for children to enjoy making up games. You can also use them as a handy tool for teaching about road safety and navigating around their local area.

School Play Area Road Markings

Having school play area road markings installed is a great way to brighten up an existing playground with functional designs. We can offer a variety of shapes, sizes and specifications to suit your budget and the amount of outdoor space you have. Anti-slip materials also help to improve the safety of playgrounds, especially in winter. See our tips on preparing a playground for winter to learn more.

Different colours and materials are available as well depending on what kind of play area you want to create. Markings can be applied straight onto tarmac for a quick and simple finish, or alternatively, we can install a wet pour safety surface containing the graphics of your choice.

Many schools and nurseries choose these products as they are a great multifunctional addition to a plain outdoor surface and can really help engage children’s imaginations. View our imaginative play area ideas to see how else you could enhance your outdoor actvities.

Children’s Road Safety Activities

It’s important to teach kids how to cross roads safely from a young age. Children’s road safety activities can be incorporated into lessons and play time with the right equipment and resources. Taking these lessons outside creates an even more realistic environment and familiarises young pupils with the risks of real roads. Visit this post to see some more ideas for playground designs at schools and nurseries.

Along with the benefits of learning these crucial life skills, an outdoor playground roadway design can also be used for imaginative games. Kids can make up their own games and stories, and create an imaginary town. Additional graphics can be added to the flooring to enhance the design even more, for example:

Crossings
Bus Stops
Shops
Schools
Hospitals
Roundabouts

There are plenty of options available and we are able to create a bespoke set of graphics which suits what you’re looking for.

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Wetpour Rubber Roadway Design

If you’re looking to add an impact absorbing surface to your play area, wetpour is a great option which we often install close to play equipment. It is a rubberised surface which helps to reduce injuries if a child falls over. Find out more about the surfacing specification here.

We can also apply a wetpour rubber roadway design using shapes which fit into the flooring. This way, you can enhance the safety qualities of your outdoor space as well as creating a fun and engaging playground.

The video below shows one of our recent projects which involved installing a wetpour roadway with artificial grass in the centre:

There are several different colour options and shapes that we could install when it comes to the rubber safety flooring. It is ideal if you have play equipment such as climbing frames or swings and you want to protect the children using them.

Thermoplastic Playground Road Marking

If you already have an existing tarmac area and you want to keep the surface the same, thermoplastic playground road marking can be applied directly onto it. These are made from pre-cut plastic shapes which are laid onto the tarmac and heated until they melt and adhere to the surface.

You can choose from a variety of different colours and shapes to suit whichever designs you would like. We can also apply more graphics to suit children of different ages and Key Stage levels. The durable markings are perfect for brightening up a dull play area and making it more interesting for pupils.

We could also apply a coating of high durability, anti-slip paint to the tarmacadam in order to enhance the appearance and prevent slips and trips. Visit this page to learn more about our playground marking products.

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If you are interested in finding out more about the outdoor playground roadway designs, feel free to get in touch with our team and we’d be happy to send over some case studies of previous work. We’re able to customise each design so you can choose something which suits your school and budget.

Fill in the contact form on this page and let us know what you’re looking for. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible with some more details on costs and specifications.

Playground Activities for the National Curriculum

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

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.

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

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

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

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Elliot

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.

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

Posted on May 23, 2024July 8, 2024 by Elliot

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.

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

Posted on May 23, 2024July 8, 2024 by Elliot

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.