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The "Mayan Pyramid" is a great climbing element for a site with a large number of children. Tire stairs lead from four sides up to a bolted climbing element at the peak. The graduated slides will give kids a chance to climb quite high while providing a solid path back down the slope.  Follow the link to […]

Jennifer Kelliher is a landscape architect, living and working in Kunming, China. She is a guest writer for the Playground Ideas blog, sharing her knowledge and passion for children's play spaces.  One of the most classic and iconic elements of a playground is the swing set. The “Swing Double Simple” is great in combination with […]

Tree houses host realms of whispered secrets and make-believe tales; of independence and tucked-away worlds; where children are the masters of their own universe. Tree-houses are a great addition to children's play spaces. But in many places we work, building with timber is inadvisable due to the menace of termites. Specially treated wood or steel […]

Did you catch former intern Tyler Sall's "Swing Monkey" design on day 37?  The element was inspired by his childhood memories of swinging on palm fronds with his brother in Panama. The "Monkey Ring" is another one of Tyler's designs. It is similar to the "Swing Monkey" but uses a solid ring instead of chains. Kids can […]

We've written before on the blog about how an earth mound, or hill, is one of the best, cheapest elements to add to a playground. If your site has a natural hill, you're already off to a great start! Try packing in soil around existing landscape to contour and curve the landscape. Hills can be […]

Make a sandpit more stimulating by adding in elements like the sand and water table. Sand play is one of the most enriching, open ended play experiences in a play space for young children. Every nursery/preschool play space needs a sandpit! (Photos: Playground Ideas, Brazil) Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own […]

Step Stone Tires are one of the easist, cheapest elements to add to a playground. Its a great element for young kids, who will enjoy jumping from "stone" to "stone." This set was built by Piers Dawson at a playground in Kenya that only cost a grand total of $125! Follow the link to get […]

A play house is a great addition to a playground that encourages imaginative, pretend play. Play houses also provide a protected cubby for kids seeking refuge from the noise and bustle of the playground. The "Haunted House" play house is a simple design with slated sides to allow airflow and light in, as well as the ability […]

The "Dragonfly" was inspired when we realized just how comfortable a seat the "Motorbike" makes. (Photo: Playground Ideas, Brazil) The "Dragonfly" is built from half-buried tires and bolted tread, and can accomodate many children (or adults) at once.    (Photo: Ana Cristina Garcia Cabezas, Guatemala) Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your […]

The "Double Drum" is a great way to add a musical dimension to your playspace. (Photo: Playground Ideas – Rwanda) Drums can be built from metal oil barrels, plastic water drums, or plastic buckets. If using metal, be sure to hammer the edges down or bend them under so there are no exposed sharp edges.  (Photo: Ana […]

Jennifer Kelliher is a landscape architect, living and working in Kunming, China. She is a guest writer for the Playground Ideas blog, sharing her knowledge and passion for children's play spaces. The “Balance Beam Tire Variation” is a great ground element to add an obstacle course between other play elements. Linking multiple beams and tires […]

Jennifer Kelliher is a landscape architect, living and working in Kunming, China. She is a guest writer for the Playground Ideas blog, sharing her knowledge and passion for children's play spaces. The “Platform Tree” is a version of the classic tree house. It allows kids to be perched at a higher level to oversee their […]