There has been a trend over recent years to try and quantify the “play value” of a piece of equipment or a play environment.  Essentially, this is a simple matter of adding up the number of activities you can undertake on a single play structure; the entire playground is then simply the sum of its parts.

As a design company that specialises in play, we have recognised that this way of thinking completely overlooks the value of a child’s imagination.

As a result, our design teams use unstructured, continuous play as their benchmark for product and place design.  Non-prescribed entry and exit routes mean there is no “right way to play”, allowing children to discover their own route through the system, inventing games and engaging their peers as they play.  It encourages inclusion for all ages and abilities as children build their physical skills and confidence in their own time. 

Continuous play opportunities mean that children can move from one activity to the next within the same system; preventing traffic jams on the equipment and encouraging children to find the path that best suits their needs.

This shifts the value of the play from simply the number of activities to the infinite value of the child’s imagination.

The perfect balance between organic and man made creates the optimal natural play environment for children and their families, inspiring curiosity and supporting outdoor activity and learning.

Children explore and learn at different rates and in many different ways – the more they play, the more they develop skills necessary to engage and impact the world around them.  Developing behaviours based on what they touch, see, hear, taste, smell and how they move and position their bodies, children integrate their senses through play.

Sensory rich recreational spaces allow for stimulating and exciting opportunities for adults and children alike, regardless of ability.