| School play areas should be stimulating, creative and | | | | rubber impact matting. The grasses also work well |
| exciting places to play, they should not only capture | | | | when used in conjunction with rubber play tiles again |
| a child's imagination but should also provide a safe | | | | adding another texture to the area. Other elements |
| area which encourages healthy mental and physical | | | | can be incorporated into the area including flowers, |
| development. Too many schools only offer a playing | | | | seating, trees, stepping stones and water features. |
| field and a dull concreted area. The Governments' | | | | Modern astro turf can be cut to any shape or size so |
| Play Strategy published in December 2008 goes | | | | all the other elements can be fitted within or around |
| some way to encouraging better play facilities with | | | | it. |
| £235 million of backed investment which will | | | | When designing a new area for the children it can |
| be used throughout communities and not just within | | | | also work well to consider the statutory subjects of |
| schools. Most school playing areas were designed | | | | the Key Stages. Although the majority of learning will |
| some years ago by adults who probably didn't | | | | be done in the classroom, on occasion the classroom |
| consider all the advantages of outdoor play. | | | | could be moved outdoors. As examples: |
| Play sustains the healthy development of children. | | | | Maths - Why not incorporate numbers and shapes |
| Whilst playing gross motor skills including walking, | | | | into the design. Numbers could be in the form of |
| jumping and kicking will be strengthened, hand/eye | | | | rubber play tiles and shapes cut out of the different |
| co-ordination can be developed through throwing a | | | | coloured grasses. |
| ball, whilst kicking a ball will help with balance. By | | | | Science - Incorporate flowers and plants into your |
| allowing children time to play social skills will be | | | | design to study growth, a vegetable patch to |
| enhanced as they form groups of friends. Whilst all | | | | encourage healthy eating, create animal shapes on |
| these skills can be formed on that concrete | | | | the flooring and attract wildlife to the area with bird |
| playground or playing field why not fuel development | | | | tables and bee boxes. Artificial grass benefits from |
| even further by creating an outside space that | | | | not requiring any water, pesticides and no need for |
| stands out. | | | | petrol lawn mowers, the children can consider the |
| The developments over the years in artificial surfaces | | | | impact on the environment. |
| allows play areas to become colourful and sensory | | | | Art & Design/Design & Technology - If you |
| areas. There are a variety of products available to | | | | are considering creating a new play area why not |
| consider when creating a new play area. One of | | | | make it a project for the children. Let the children |
| these products is artificial grass, artificial grass allows | | | | design areas. By giving the children the responsibility it |
| for greater use of texture and colour. Synthetic turf | | | | will fuel their imagination for the outdoors. Look at |
| provides an excellent alternative to real grass, | | | | the technology behind the products being used. |
| concrete or bark mulch. | | | | PE - Dedicate an area that makes keeping fit exciting |
| There are so many different varieties of synthetic | | | | and not a chore. Some artificial grasses are made |
| turf sensory areas can be easily achieved. Not only | | | | specifically from sports use. |
| will the surface be clean, safe and low maintenance, | | | | Play areas can be tailored to children throughout Key |
| but by using a number of different products you can | | | | Stage development. By using surfaces such as those |
| achieve varying textures and appearances. Products | | | | mentioned above children with special educational |
| vary from very short quite rough pile turfs to very | | | | needs can also benefit hugely. |
| smooth, soft long turfs. The density of the turfs also | | | | Learning through play should be an all year round |
| differs. Coloured turfs including red, blue and yellow | | | | activity and this can be helped along by creating a |
| can be used to create exciting pathways and shapes. | | | | play area which fuels the imagination when using |
| Artificial grass can be used to achieve critical fall | | | | surfaces such as artificial grass and rubber tiles. |
| heights under play equipment when installed with | | | | |