There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing your outdoor play area. The first thing to consider is children’s safety. Ask yourself, “Is there anything that a child can get hurt on?” Examine every outdoor toy or structure with children in mind. Children are very inventive and will often use toys in a manner not planned by the manufacturer.
Create areas where children can have a variety of experiences. You don’t need a lot of money to create this kind of area. Include a variety of surfaces in your outdoor play area including soil, sand, grass, hills, flat sections, and hard areas for wheel toys. Also include shade, open space, digging space, and a variety of equipment for riding, climbing, and balancing.
When hills and shade are not available, the environment can be supplemented with materials such as awnings, inclines, or ramps. Be sure to provide private areas outdoors for children to have solitude. Children who spend long periods of time in group settings need opportunities for privacy. Privacy can be provided by using equipment such as tunnels and playhouses. Make sure that these areas can be easily supervised by staff.
The outdoor play area itself should be safe from environmental hazards. It should be well drained with no standing water. You should check the area daily and clean up any debris. Ensure there are several trash containers available outdoors and that they are emptied daily. The area needs to be enclosed to protect children from traffic, unsupervised animals, and unauthorized people.
Verify local requirements so that you will stay within licensing guidelines for your outdoor area.
Related Training:
Outdoor Play Safety
Making the Most of Outdoor Play
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