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Create an account and you can access or download all handbooks free of charge.

Yes, but we only suggest this for projects with a budget over US$5,000. For smaller projects, we encourage you to read all the handbooks and do it yourself with local skilled artisans and builders – it’s a much more effective use of your funds. To contact us to discuss your project, drop us a line […]

Though this site you can create a project page to raise funds, get volunteers and share your learning with others wanting to build in your region. You can also download over 150 designs, a playground safety guide, and our “Playground Builder’s Handbook,” which will walk you through everything you need to know to make your […]

You can source volunteers through your project page and the website will connect you with other in your country building playgrounds, but we also encourage you to involve the local community. Doing this ensures that the playground will be maintained and looked after in the long run. Read more about ideas for harnessing local support […]

All our designs are made to be built from tools that are easily sourced anywhere in the world. Our manuals teach you how to find everything you need to build your playground: tools, funding, raw materials, helpers and community spirit!

If you involve the local community, and build using local tools, skills and materials, your playground should be very easy to maintain over time. In our handbooks you will be given advice on how to teach others about the importance of play, how they can maintain the playground and how they can even build more […]

Yes! Prior building experience is not necessary and most of the plans are all pictures.

All the designs use pictures, so regardless of language anyone can use them.

By creating a project page, you can let the world learn about your project, so people can donate, volunteer or simply follow your progress. You can start a project page here.

Yes you can! If you build more than one playground, please start a project page for each so we can share your amazing work with the world!

If you start a project, you may want to raise funds. Your fundraising will be more successful if you can offer potential donors something in exchange, such as a T-shirt, a local souvenir or having donor’s names painted on the playground itself. It’s up to you. Rewards to friends who want to donate are offered […]

Safety standards vary around the world but all our designs meet current European safety standards. You can download our Safety Handbook or learn more about global playground safety standards.

We’d love to see your design and If we approve your design and can make it meet the safety standards, we will add it to our design library. Submit a design by shooting us a message on our contact page.

Within your account dashboard, you have the option to set up a crowdfunding page. You can fill in your fundraising goal, set “Project Rewards” for donations and post updates for your donors. Projects successful at online fundraising often have clear descriptions and pictures, and videos are a big bonus! Plus don’t forget to share your […]

Time to get creative! Playgrounds can take many forms, and if all you have is soil, why not build lots of hills, or maybe you can build a mud-brick or earth-bag cubby? Building with used car tires are also a great option. Many of the designs in our Design Library are made from tires because […]

Designing custom sites based on community feedback ensures projects are culturally sensitive, sustainable and, of course, amazing for the children. We work to a 5-step approach: Listen, Plan, Design, Build and Maintain. Listen: Engage the community to assess the desire/need for a playground, building a conversation about what the community wants and what cultural expressions […]

Yes. Laws and standards are not as well governed in the developing world as they are elsewhere. For example, some paints still contain lead and some termite treatments on wood are not safe for children. After you read the safety handbook materials section, if you are unsure, ask questions and do your research.

It can vary. The first playground we built in 2007 took six weeks from initial concept to construction. Since then we’ve improved how we do things and are now building playgrounds in as little as 5-10 days. Generally, a minimum of two weeks construction time is a good estimate of how long to plan for […]

This is an important thing to consider! In each tire of each element you build, cut a small hole at the lowest point of the tire. This will allow water to drain freely. You can see examples of this in our “Playground Builder’s Handbook.”

Here’s a video guide. We have further tips on cutting tires in our “Playground Builder’s Handbook.”