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The "Balance Beam Extended" is an extremely inexpensive element that can cover a lot of ground space and be build in any formation to shape and compliment existing spaces.

Piers Dawson is a VSO volunteer in Kenya. He built the "Balance Beams Extended" ona playground build at the Rojo Rojo Orphanage in Kilifi, Kenya. The grand total of Piers' playground was only $125! As seen below, the beams make for a great ground element in the playground and double as a seating element.

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Balance Beam Extended.”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.

The "Ladder Twisted" is a tire element that can be used as a step-up to a platform cubby or higher element. Donna Lundy is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Azerbaijan. She recently partnered with the school in Soganverdiler Village in Barda, Azerbaijan to build a playground for their students together. They built this beautiful "Ladder Twisted" on their site.

Check out more photos of the Soganverdiler Playground Project. Great work Donna and Soganverdiler community!

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Ladder Twisted."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.

The "Car Tire Sphere" is an entirely tire climbing element. As with all tire elements, be sure to drill a hole in the lowest point of each tire to allow rainwater to drain. Particularly in tropical areas where malaria is common, it is vital to prevent standing water from collecting.

The "Car Tire Sphere" can be built as a single standing element.

Or multiple spheres can be constructed in a cluster to create a larger climbable landscape.

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own "Car Tire Sphere."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.

Remember the"Clock" we posted about last week? The "Compass" follows the same principal, but can be used to illustrate how to track the sun in the sky by using a compass and seeing where the shadow falls. Connecting the curriculum to the national world taps into children's natural instinct to observe and experiment, and communicates a value of the environment.

"Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them." -The Audubon Nature Preschool

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Compass"(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.