The Next Generation of Playgrounds

Have you ever noticed how kids can get a kick out of the most seemingly ordinary things when they could be playing with the latest and greatest toys instead? Take a story telling event we recently took the kid to at the local museum.. When the storyteller was done a range of creative activities were offered that would seem quite enticing, but a group of kids were sidetracked by the bright colored toddler chairs. They spent the last 30 minutes of activity time moving them into different configurations; stacking them, lining them up, laying them on their sides, and then rearranging them again. You might see your own kids doing this at home with leftover boxes, climbing in and through them, building forts. Something interesting is happening here. They are using their imagination, motor skills, and correlating their scale and body to other objects. This comes so natural to children and benefits their development greatly by fostering their creativity.

So this leads me to the new "big thing" in playground equipment - loose parts play systems. The imagination can only go so far with the typical swing or see-saw. This is not to diminish the fun had at the typical playground, but loose parts play systems offer giant abstract shapes and blocks for children to interact with, build, climb on and through, only to reconfigure again to whatever they can imagine. The sky is the limit. Loose play systems encourage creation, construction, even destruction in a safe way. They are exercising the mind and the body, problem solving, and socializing. It's amazing how with all of our technology, the best entertainment and learning tools are fundamentally similar to building blocks!

It also benefits them on a social level. That day at the museum these kids were not old enough to say "Pass me that red chair" but they seemed to communicate and work together as a team in their abstract creation. No collaboration goes without fussing at any age (even grown-ups) but that is all part of learning to socialize and the children you see playing with these loose parts systems seem to enjoy the happy chaos.

Another cool feature is their storage capability, mobility, and user friendliness. These systems can get wet or dirty and just get hosed off. Children can bring them into the sandbox or incorporate them into water play. The parts also pack up into large storage containers that can be put away for another day or transported to another location.

One of the most interesting types of loose playgrounds are SnugPlay units. Unlike other systems, they offer a wide range of crazy shapes and bold colors. They also have components like the massive loop that can be reconfigured in many different ways to including a double loop. It can also be permanently mounted into the ground as a unique crawl through. The Bump is another simple piece that looks much like a dial with a flat side and a round side. Attach it to other pieces to put the round side on the ground and it becomes a balance board! Throw some noodles into the mix to create an all new structure! These loose play systems are hours and hours of imaginative fun. Keep your eyes peeled for more loose play systems in the playground scene.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com