Pushing the boundaries of play
Pushing the boundaries of play is key to healthier and happier
children Says Victoria Davies
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Victoria Davis
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of Matta Products UK In order to meet the challenge of getting
children to play harder and longer it is important that that the
play industry continues its move away from the monkey
bar-and-swings approach to playground design.
Traditional playgrounds hold limited interest for older children
especially in today's climate, where concerns over safety can
dominate design and limit risk-taking features.
In countries such as Canada, innovation in playground design is
successful because the latest generation of equipment tempts
children’s brains as much as their bodies. Impact absorbing
safety surfacing such as Safety and Play Mattas are designed to
international safety standards and protect a child from a fall of
up to 2.9m thus significantly reducing the risk associated with
play. This means that playground providers can afford to be more
imaginative when designing play areas.
The ideal playground challenges children and helps improve
co-ordination, agility, problem-solving skills, spatial awareness,
strength and social interaction. There are some excellent examples
of playgrounds achieving this ideal in the UK which should be
viewed as blueprints for all play providers. By continuing this
trend and considering how best to provide stimulating and
beneficial environments for children of all ages engaging in
outdoor play, the UK can step up to the challenge of developing a
generation of healthier, happier children.
Learn more about Matta visit www.matta-products.com