1
May
Blog
28
Apr
Your first step in the planning process is setting up your Playground Ideas “Project Page.” Your “Project Page” is like your very own website for your playground project where you can save your favorite designs, fundraise and receive donations (100% fee-free), update donors, connect with other playground builders in your region, and share your work with the world. We really love seeing the amazing playgrounds our community builds so please upload lots of photos!
Setting up your page:
If you have not already done so, click here to create a Playground Ideas account.
Once you’re logged into your account dashboard click “Start a Project Page”
Enter your project details and you’re ready to go!
Fundraising on your project page:
During the sign-up process, you’ll be asked: “Do you want to receive crowdfunded donations for this project?” If you check “Yes” this will allow people to donate to your project directly on your page. For resources on effective playground fundraising, be sure to check out our “Playground Builder’s Handbook” and this blog post on 10 Tips for Crowdfunding Success.
After you submit your project page, you’ll be asked to enter your PayPal details which will allow direct donations to you from your friends and family. Rest assured that we won’t charge anything to your PayPal account. Ever. (We mean it when we say all our resources are free!) you need to add your PayPal account info so that PayPal knows where to send the money when someone makes a donation. No financial details are held with us and we cannot access your secure PayPal account.
All online transactions require the use of a credit card processor. We use Paypal to ensure any online donations are protected. Paypal charges a processing cost of 30 cents + 1.9% to 2.9% fee, depending on your country. This cost is added on top of a donation so that you receive the entire amount donated to you. So if your Aunt Dorothy donates $10 to your project, she’ll be charged about $10.49 (depending on what country she lives in) and you will receive the full $10.
Finding volunteers on your project page:
During the sign-up process you’ll also be asked, “Do you need volunteers for this project?” If you check “Yes” this will allow your project and contact information to appear when visitors to the site search for volunteer opportunities. Please note that Playground Ideas does not vet or screen volunteers and we advise you to do your own careful screening of potential volunteers.
Remember, if you have any problems or questions along the way we’re happy to help! Click here to contact us.
28
Apr
Crowdfunding is a great way to utilize your online social networks to help fund your project. Playground Ideas offers users a free crowdfunding platform where anyone can set up a page for their playground project, receive donations, and update donors along the way.
Crowdfunding is a great tool, but you’ll have to put in some work to make your crowdfunding campaign a success! Here are a few tips:
1. Optimize your project page. Make a good first impression with your page. project details, plenty of photos, and make sure your writing is clear, concise, and compelling. Communicate your timeline and plan for the project – What have you done so far? When do you plan to build
2. Build trust. Consider adding a breakdown of your budget to let donors know exactly how you’ll be using their money.
3. Tell a good story. Good stories drive action. What is your playground story? What has motivated you to do this project? What would a playground mean for this community? Engage people’s hearts and emotions in your project.
4. Add a video. Crowdfunding projects that include videos are proven to be more effective! Your video can be as simple as you sitting in front of your computer telling potential donors about your project and showing a few photos of the site.
5. Add rewards. Consider incentivizing donations by offering prizes for different contribution levels. For example, “if you donate $50 we’ll mail you a picture of the playground drawn by one of the kids at the school” or “if you donate $100 your name will be painted on the playground sign.”
6. Remember, donors are not looking for you. Don’t expect to just start a page, sit back, and let the donations roll in. YOU have got to get the word out about your project, so make a communication strategy before you start.
7. Utilize social media. The people most likely to donate to your project are your friends and family. After that, friends of friends. Utilizing your social media networks is a great way to reach these people. Post regularly about your project and ask them to share as well!
8. Share your victories and thank your donors along the way. Keep the momentum going with social media posts like
“Wow, we’ve reached over 50% of our fundraising goal in just one week! Let’s keep going and give these kids the playground of their dreams!”
—
“We’re only $100 away from reaching our fundraising goal! Will you share our page to help us get there?”
—
“Mary Cooper, thank you so much for your generous donation! We couldn’t build this playground without you! Join Mary and donate today to help us reach our fundraising goal.”
9. Email family and friends. Send out a few emails throughout your campaign updating your networks about your project and asking them to get involved by donating and sharing on social media.
10. Update your donors. Don’t forget your donors when you reach your goal! Show your gratitude for their contribution by continuing to update your page and sharing photos of what their money made possible.
Let us know if you are running a crowdfunding campaign for your playground.
Click here to contact us. We’d love to give you feedback, cheer you on along the way, and share your page to help you drum up donations!
14
Apr
Some playground designs stand the test of time and are loved by generations of kids. But building that classic park playground can be an expensive endeavor. Commercial park playground equipment can cost tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars, keeping park playgrounds out of reach for many communities. Playground Ideas supports schools, organizations, and communities around the world to build playgrounds from local tools, materials and skills. We’ve put together a list of five classic DIY park playground designs in our Design Library. Each design comes with step-by-step instructions. Check it out!
This classic playground swingset can be built with either timber or steel, depending on what materials are appropriate and cost effective for your setting. The swing seats are made from tire treads, so they’re flexible and comfortable to swing on!
Click here to get the step-by-step instructions to build your own Swing Double Simple.
The humble sandpit is a playground staple! Sandplay is a wonderfully tactile experience, especially for young children. Our Tire Sandpit Combo includes a sand and water table for molding and shaping. Be sure to add in lots of buckets, shovels, funnels and molds to make your sandpit even better!
Click here to get the step-by-step instructions to build your own Tire Sandpit Combo.
This classic see-saw equipment element upgrades the design by adding “bumpers” on the ends to prevent squished toes. The tire and bolt pivot base also lasts longer than a traditional steel pivot, which can wear out over time.
Click here to get the step-by-step instructions to build your own See-Saw Single 1 Tire.
Around the world, local welders often make simple slides to sell to schools and community groups. In our travels we’ve frequently seen unsafe playground slides in parks that are made far too steep or without an angled piece at the bottom to slow you down before you hit the ground. Take this DIY design to your local welder instead and you’ll be sure to have a properly designed slide!
Click here to get the step-by-step instructions to build your own Slide with Sides.
This classic monkey bar set can be attached to a cubby house or constructed on its own. Be sure to add in a “safe fall zone” below with sand or other soft material to prevent injuries. You can learn more about “safe fall zones” and other tips on building playground equipment safely in our “Playground Safety Handbook.”
Click here to get the step-by-step instructions to build your own Monkey Bars – Metal.
Looking for more DIY equipment for your park playground? Check out the full Playground Ideas Design Library, with over 150 playground element designs that can be built using only local tools, materials, and labor.
