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The "bucket" style swing seat is a brilliant adaption to the traditional swing that allows infants and toddlers to swing safely. Photo by Flickr: methyl_lives Unfortunately, purchasing a manufactured bucket swing seat can be quite costly, particularly if it must be imported. Luckily enough, it's easy to hack-your-own baby swing using just tire tread, bolts, […]

The "Clock" is a simple version of a playground sundial. With this element, the "making of" can be just as enjoyable as the element itself. Teachers can incorporate building this structure as a part of a lesson on time-telling and the rhythms of the earth. Each hour the class can go outside to see where […]

The “Wonky Balance Plank is another element convenient to be built in different configurations and length to define the space of a playground. Check out “ZigZag Tires,” “Caterpillar Bridge,” “Crazy Caterpillar,”and “Balance Seesaw Hybrid” if you are looking for space defining play elements! You can also alternate truck and care tires for children to jump […]

For a climbing element that stands on its own and is made entirely of tires, the "Pyramid Truck Tire" is great element for groups of children. You can build a small pyramid with a handful of tires or if you have a lot of tires you can build a taller pyramid. Follow the link to […]

"Matatu" is a Swahili term that refers to mini buses; the most popular form of transportation throughout East Africa. They are notorious for carrying loads far beyond the "Licensed to carry 14 passengers" motto branded on the side. photo by www.rainbokapi.com A playground "matatu" can be built from tires and steel or wood posts. Mano […]

The "Elephant" is an imaginary play element first designed for a playground in northern Uganda, near to a game park home to many of these life-size creatures. Since our first attempt we've built elephants in several playgrounds in East Africa. There are many ways to adapt this element and add creative touches and personality to […]

This is another classic playground element. Like swings, children just love the motion of seesaws. For any seesaw, it's important to add a bumper to prevent kids from crashing down too hard. There are many ways to create bumpers, but in our humble opinion, our tread loop bumpers are the best in the world. They […]

Monkey Bars are a familiar playground equipment that challenges the upper body strength. The element can be free standing or joined to another structure such as trees or rocket ships. Safety caution: The most common playground injuries occur on monkey bars. To prevent injuries, monkey bars MUST come with soft fall area underneath.Bars for children […]

Got lots of trees that aren't climbable? Problem solved. This is another way to jazz up a tree space and open up the vertical plane. It could also form part of a ladder to a low tree house. Or, you could attach bridges or ropes between to create a challenge course. Follow the link to […]

The "Teepee Pyramid" can be used to create a shady resting nook, or can be used as a climbing frame. Check out this whimsical rainbow version at Hsa Thoo Lei School in Thailand. Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Teepee Pyramid."(Note: must create a free user account to see […]

The "Tire Chain Arch" is a simple ,bouncy element to run under, climb over, crawl through.It would also work well as an entrance to a playground.It was designed by a guest designer, David Berry, based out of New York. Would you like to be a guest playground designer too? Anyone can submit their own designs […]

The "Swing Monkey" was designed by Playground Ideas intern Tyler Sall. It was inspired by a childhood memory. In an email, Tyler writes, "the original idea was meant to be like the palm fronds my brother and I used to swing on when we were little (in Panama) they'd hang down off of really tall […]