The best playgrounds never lose their ‘play-value’ and must always pass the ‘fun test’. While a slide and swing can be fun for ten minutes, the true value of a playground is fun that goes on and on. There must always be something new to discover or a challenge yet to be conquered.
Children demand change! During development, we learn through play. Life is all about the new and unknown.
What’s at the top of the rock wall?
What does this button do?
If he can do it, so can I (so budge over, mate!)
Playgrounds should entertain this endless curiosity through change and development.
The problem comes from competing with ever-changing technology – simply updating your favourite gaming app provides a whole new experience. To achieve these same infinite possibilities, playgrounds must also have an update button.
At kindergarten age, kids are growing and learning at a rapid rate. Balance and coordination improves significantly during these enchanted years, which poses the question “how can a playground structure continuously quench the thirst for discovery and adventure, without tearing it down and starting over every twelve months?” After all, playgrounds are long-term investments (and we all enjoy the nostalgia of walking past our favourite childhood playground).
Kindergartens are increasingly turning to interchangeable activities where overnight they can transform their playground into a new exciting adventure, at no cost. Simple interchangeable activities makes it easy to provide challenges that grow as children do. Monkey bars and a plank bridge one day are replaced with a fidget bridge and track ride the next. Imagine returning to kindy in the morning to find a whole new playground to conquer?
The best part? Play components can be moved or switched out quickly and easily by anyone, so changes can be made as regularly as desired.
More and more kindergartens are taking advantage of including interchangeable activities into their playground designs. Next Steps Kindy are always a step ahead. When their playground needs freshening up, it’s a simple task of swapping out different elements, creating a whole new play experience.
Click here to find out more about Interchangeable Activity options.
