Choosing Playground Equipment For Sale
When choosing playground equipment for sale, consider your school’s unique needs and budget. Your choice of equipment should be safe for children of all ages to play together.
Climbers and climbing walls are a staple of any playground, helping kids improve their strength and balance. Playground spring riders and teeter totters are also fun for imaginative, movement-focused play.
Age-Appropriate
Age-appropriate playground equipment is designed for children who are at different stages of physical, cognitive and social development. For example, a playground for toddlers may feature structures with low deck heights and fewer moving parts. This helps small kids safely climb and explore, without having to worry about falling off or hurting themselves.
Toddlers are also working on their gross playground equipment for sale motor skills, as they transition from crawling to walking. They need a wide range of play structures to build their strength, and equipment that fosters creativity and interaction. This can include toys like a Tot Tree, which is small enough for crawling toddlers to climb on and provides sensory experiences through touch and sound.
As children move into preschool age, they become more surer on their feet and need challenges that help them develop balance and coordination. This can include a classic like a seesaw, or a more modern version that lets kids fly up and down together, using their core muscles.
For elementary school kids, the best playground equipment for sale encourages them to work on their fine and gross motor skills as they connect with friends. This is an important time to develop social relationships and explore their own unique personalities. A well-designed playground can support this through group games and challenges, which promote teamwork, communication and problem solving skills.
Safety
Many schools rely on playground equipment for sale to provide their students with fun and healthy activities. However, before you choose a set of play structures, it’s important to consider the safety precautions involved. A few basic steps can help ensure your school’s playground meets national safety standards.
The first step is to think about the purpose of your playground. The structure you choose should be designed for the specific age group it’s intended to serve. For example, a daycare center may want to select equipment appropriate for preschoolers while a public park might focus on structures for older children.
A second consideration is to make sure your play equipment has the proper protective surfacing. Check to ensure that a safe surfacing material — such as wood chips, mulch, sand or engineered wood fiber — is at least 12 inches deep in all directions from any equipment. Additionally, ensure that any bare metal surfaces are protected from direct sunlight. Bare metal heats indoor playground manufacturer up quickly and can cause burns. If you use pressure-treated wood, apply an oil or water-based stain to prevent splinters.
Finally, inspect all equipment for safety hazards like protruding objects that can entangle clothing or scrape skin. Make sure all hardware is securely fastened, and that there are no open “S” hooks or exposed bolt ends. Regular inspections are critical for ensuring that your playground continues to meet national safety guidelines and reduces your liability risks.
Space
Playgrounds provide children with an outlet to release their pent-up energy and also help them socialize with others. However, it is important to conduct thorough research before purchasing playground equipment for sale. The first consideration is the size of the space available. This will determine the type of equipment that can be installed and whether or not it will be able to accommodate enough children at one time. It is also important to consider the type of surfacing that will be used, as this can impact safety. For example, hard surfaces such as concrete may cause serious injuries if a child falls on them. Soft surfacing is preferable and offers more cushioning.
Another consideration is the amount of maintenance required for each piece of equipment. Some types are more expensive to maintain than others, so it is a good idea to compare prices before making a purchase. Some manufacturers offer maintenance contracts, which can save you money in the long run.
It is also important to consider the construction materials used for each piece of playground equipment. Some options are wood, metal, or plastic. All of these materials have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right one for your business. For instance, wood is a durable option but can rot or mildew if it is exposed to moisture. Metal is strong and weather-resistant, but can become hot under the sun and burn children’s skin.
Age Group
Kids’ physical and cognitive skills develop differently, and equipment should be appropriate for their age groups. It’s important to keep this in mind when selecting playground equipment for sale, especially if you’re building a school or community park that will see a wide range of kids come and play.
For example, toddlers and preschoolers should have equipment that supports their gross motor skills – such as crawl tunnels or climbing ropes – as well as their social and emotional development. Choosing toys that encourage teamwork, like seesaws (also known as teeter-totters) or spinning elements, can also help kids to grow their coordination and balance.
Older children’s physical and cognitive abilities have developed enough that they can handle more challenging playground equipment. This could include chain or rope climbers, angular climbing, more complex slides and sporting equipment for group activities. Adding a soft play building element to your playground can help kids grow their problem-solving, spatial and engineering skills while engaging in social interaction with friends.
A reliable playground equipment provider will offer a variety of structure designs and customization options for your project. Additionally, you should consider whether the company has a funding partner that can provide payment options to fit your budget. It’s also important to take into account any extra costs, such as shipping, installation and warranty.