4 Simple and Safe Accessories Guaranteed To Improve the Value of Your Outdoor Play Environment

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We´ve all taken our children to playgrounds that just didn´t make us feel comfortable. As parents, we would watch them play, all the while hovering over them, warning them to "stay away from this and don´t play with that." On the other hand, we´ve also been to the playground that made us feel safe enough to allow our children to roam and use their imaginative play while giving us the peace of mind to allow them to enjoy themselves and be kids. What is the difference and what are the items present that make an outdoor playground environment more pleasurable children as well as adults? There are a few items that every playground needs to increase the amount of traffic and to foster the peace of mind to allow our children to be themselves.

Trash Receptacles

• Until you need to throw something away, or see trash littering the play environment, you may not think a receptacle is all that important near a playground. On the contrary, these litter receptacles help keep broken glass and dirty litter away from our children, as well as serve as an attractant for small rodents, ants, and other insects, the bites and stings of which many children are allergic to.

• By providing a place to keep the area clear from trash, they also invite you to pack a lunch so your children can enjoy the swings and slide a little longer.

Benches and Picnic Tables

• Another critical element for a comfortable playground is seating for adults. Whether you are designing the park or just picking the park to take your children to, make sure the benches are oriented so that you can comfortably keep an eye on the area the children are playing in. This will allow the parents to relax while the kids are playing.

• Picnic Tables are a must for outdoor play. They are a great spot for the kids to cool down and have a cold drink before going back out to play. This also encourages lunch trips for parents to not only enjoy the outdoors, but spend some quality time with their families.

Shade Structures and Shade Canopies

• Shade structures or shade canopies are becoming more popular because of their health benefits as well as their visual appeal. If the playground is completely covered, it not only lowers the ambient temperatures underneath the canopy but also keeps the surfaces of the playground surfacing, decks, and slides cooler to the touch. In addition to these improvements, shade canopies also block out harmful UVA and UVB rays that are known to cause sunburn and skin cancer. All of these benefits make playing more enjoyable and safe.

Barriers

• Another critical element of the play environment is the proper use of barriers to keep children playing in the designated outdoor play area. These barriers can either be natural or manmade. Fencing is the most common used barrier but other alternatives include large boulders, landscaping shrubbery and even the side of an existing building. Regardless of the barrier used, proper adult supervision is always required.

If you are responsible for planning a new commercial outdoor playground or just trying to pick out which park playground to take your children to, look for these items. They will make your experience more enjoyable and ensure that your children´s play experience is both developmental and safe.

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