5 Types of Playground Equipment for Sale
Kids have a never-ending need for play. Whether they’re grasping new math concepts on activity panels or exerting themselves physically on a curved climber, playground equipment helps them grow emotionally, socially and cognitively.
This type of play fosters a sense of community. Whether you run a local park, school or church, finding a reputable playground provider is essential.
Swings
Swings are a playground staple and provide kids with a range of physical and cognitive benefits. Swings can help to develop children’s balance and coordination, as well as their sensory system. They can also promote the development of children’s visual and spatial abilities, as they move their body and eyes in rhythm with the swing.
When kids play on playground equipment, such as swings, they learn to take risks in a safe and controlled environment. This is a great way for them to build confidence and self-esteem, while also developing essential problem-solving skills. However, it is important to remember that children need to be supervised when playing on playground equipment.
Kids who play outside often have more advanced motor skills than children who spend most of their time indoors. This is because they regularly use their muscles in different ways, resulting in a stronger, more balanced body. Playgrounds with swings are a great place to get your kids to burn energy, and they can even be a good alternative for those with limited outdoor space at home.
Slides
Slides are one of the most popular pieces of playground equipment for kids. They provide an exhilarating experience that is unique to other play structures. In addition, slides offer a number playground equipment for sale of developmental benefits that children experience as they play.
Children are naturally thrill seekers and exploration-oriented, which is why they love to use playground equipment like slides. The speed at which they can go down a slide encourages this behavior, and it also offers a confidence boost to children when they successfully scale a structure that is taller than them and make their way all the way down without falling off.
Unlike swings, which require a few minutes of building momentum before they are fun to use, slides are ready to be used immediately after a child climbs them. This quick way to enjoy a playground offers a sense of instant gratification that draws many kids to them, especially those with a need for speed. Stainless steel slides are also an accessible play option for kids with cochlear implants, as they do not produce a static charge.
Balance Play Structures
Children develop gross motor skills through activities like swinging and climbing that use major muscle groups in the arms, legs and torso. These play opportunities help build core strength, balance and coordination and can also improve vestibular sensory input, a vital part of developing fine motor skills.
Kids also practice dynamic balance with playground equipment that moves, such as wobble bridges or swinging steps. These structures help kids to focus and concentrate on the task at hand as they work to maintain their balance and coordination.
These balance play features can be used alone as standalone structures to challenge kids with different ways to walk along them or can be integrated into larger playground designs, such as adding to obstacle courses or jungle themes. Many of these playground items can also be used for imaginative play, as kids use their creative imagination to turn a simple log roll into a boat or a rope climber into a spaceship. This type of flexible play is critical to helping kids develop key cognitive and social skills that will serve them throughout their lifetime.
Merry-Go-Rounds
Merry-go-rounds are classic playground equipment, adding motion activities and socialization to any play area. The rotating action builds muscle strength and improves coordination. The spinning of the central bar requires kids to hold onto it and exert effort to keep it turning. The motion also strengthens core muscles and helps children develop stability.
Spinning equipment like merry-go-rounds, maypoles and solo spinners also build new neural pathways in the brain, leading to improved spatial awareness and rhythm. Rocking play structures such as seesaws and teeter-totters also contribute to children’s motor skill development by helping them to gain balance.
In the early days of playground equipment, manufacturers sold merry-go-rounds with mounts such as pigs and zebras, and later on, characters from cartoon movies and mythological creatures. Today, merry-go-rounds are often shaped to match the theme of the playground. For example, a whale spring rider would suit a maritime-themed park, while a bright yellow bulldozer or orange snail could fit into any playground design. A merry-go-round must be surrounded by a “use zone” that extends 6 feet beyond the perimeter in all directions. The use zone must be free of sharp edges or other obstacles that could cause injury.
Climbers
A playground is more than just a place for kids to have fun; it’s an outdoor space that encourages healthy activity, creativity and social interaction. Whether you’re outfitting a neighborhood park, designing a new school playground or shopping for commercial playground equipment Indoor Playground Equipment to meet ADA accessibility guidelines, we have everything you need at the right price.
Playground climbing structures are a popular option that helps children develop their upper body strength and balance skills. We offer several styles of climbers, including monkey bars and geo dome climbers. Many of our climbing options are ADA accessible and meet the CSPC and ASTM standards.
For a more collaborative experience, consider adding a merry-go-round to your playground equipment. This popular playground structure lets children work together to spin and jump aboard, while also improving their coordination. We have a variety of diameters and color combinations available to fit your site’s needs.
