Blog

14 Dec
Day 65: Amphitheater Tire
Posted by Elizabeth Moreno
 

amphitheater

Adding amphitheater tire seats to a playground platform or stage is an enabler for creativity. A performance area provides a space for teachers to gather students for outdoor lessons or for children to engage in playground performances. This tire structure is also an easy solution to adding group seating to a play area.

stage 3

East African Playgrounds – Uganda

stage 2

East African Playgrounds – Uganda

Inevitably, the seats themselves will be used as play elements as well. Since they're made from durable, flexible tires, there is no need for teachers to spend their time scolding kids for jumping on the "seats" – the rows make fun paths for chasing and hoping between.

Playground Ideas - Uganda

Playground Ideas – Uganda

IMG_6578

Playground Ideas – Uganda

Playground Ideas - Uganda

Playground Ideas – Uganda

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Amphitheater Tire.”(Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element?Join our community and submit your designs here.

 

Day 65: Amphitheater Tire
13 Dec
Day 64: Wide Slide
Posted by Elizabeth Moreno

Screen shot 2013-12-14 at 11.44.42 PM

The "Wide Slide" is a traditional steel slide that is wide enough to accommodate several children sliding down at once.

wide slide 1

wide slide 2

A safety tip on welded slides: the way sheet metal base is connected to sides is extremely important. The welding that connects the sheet mental to the sides must be strong and reinforced with other steel. The most common point of fracture on cheaply welded slides is in this angle. On welding that is not strong, the steel comes away from the side and forms a jagged hole kids can stick fingers into or get their clothing caught in as they are sliding down.

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Wide Slide.”(Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element?Join our community and submit your designs here.

Day 64: Wide Slide
12 Dec
Day 63: Earth Hill with Steps
Posted by Elizabeth Moreno

Screen shot 2013-12-13 at 10.59.57 AM

We've mentioned beforehow much we love hills. Every playground need a hill.

Playground Ideas - Brazil

Playground Ideas – Brazil

The "Earth Hill with Steps" is a great way to augment an existing hill, adding dimension and structure to an inclined landscape.

Photo by Tory RoJo

Photo by Tory RoJo

This feature is particularly well suited for toddlers and young children just learning to walk. The hill provides a challenge for their newly developing coordination, and the tire add support and stability. The "Earth Hill with Steps" can be used as a transition piece on a playground or the steps can be structured to lead to a slide or other playground element on the top of the hill.

Photo by thumperlane.com

Photo by thumperlane.com

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Earth Hill with Steps”(Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element?Join our community and submit your designs here.

 

Day 63: Earth Hill with Steps
11 Dec
Day 62: Calculator
Posted by Elizabeth Moreno

Screen shot 2013-12-12 at 11.57.10 AM

 

The "Calculator" is an outdoor interactive, educational element. Painted with numbers and mathematical symbols, kids can rotate the tires to create equations. You can also make a "word calculator" by painting the tires with letters.

calculator

East African Playgrounds – Uganda

calculator.jpg 2

East African Playgrounds – Uganda

In education systems the world over, "learning" happens inside the classroom and outdoor play is a frivolous activity of leisure. Particularly in the developing world, few teacher training programs emphasize the importance of play and prioritize a rigorous academic pedagogy, even for younger grade levels. Obviously education play elements, such as the "Calculator" create a bridge for teachers between the classroom and the outdoor world of play. These elements provide tools for teachers to integrate their curriculum goals into the play environment and inspire them to engage their students in interactive learning activities.

Play360 - Tanzania

Play360 – Tanzania

Play360 - Guatemala

Play360 – Guatemala

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Calculator." (Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element? Join our community and submit your designs here. 

Day 62: Calculator