It's that time of year. The sun is shining, the weather is warmer - and children and families are ready to head to their nearest playground for some summer fun.
At IPEMA, we're tracking the latest trends in playground design. From incorporating sensory elements into plans to creating spaces that encourage intergenerational play and adding themes, designers and landscape architects are taking play spaces beyond just the basics - allowing for more inclusive, engaging play and learning.

Sensory Play

 
Long gone are the days of simple monkey bars, slides and seesaws. Research shows that play is a critical element of children's learning and development - and playground design has started to reflect that by incorporating elements that engage and refine the senses, while also providing children with sensory processing disorders (SPD) quiet spaces when they need a break from stimulation.
To help encourage sensory play, playgrounds can be designed with opportunities to touch textures, see patterns, hear sounds, and move in challenging ways. For example, sand and water play offers a unique way for children to engage the sense of touch by building and creating with sand and pouring or stirring water. The sense of sight can be stimulated on the playground with play features that children can use to create patterns and shadows. Also, consider adding musical elements, which stimulate curiosity and encourage children to create and discover new sounds. The senses of balance and body awareness are also important to sensory play. To support these senses, include opportunities to be challenged by rigid and non-rigid stepping surfaces such as ropes and membranes which also offer opportunities to touch different textures.

Intergenerational Play
Playgrounds aren't just meant for children anymore. With the right equipment, they can offer an opportunity for parents, caregivers, and children to play and be healthy together. When children and adults play together, children can better refine their language and problem-solving skills. And of course, adults benefit from play, too, which can be a natural stress reliever.
To bring this to life, designers are thinking beyond the typical elements and incorporating products like face-to-face swings that allow adults to actively engage together with their children, both verbally and visually. Gliders also offer a unique opportunity for children and adults of all abilities the chance to play together at once. Parkour rope courses can engage all ages creating opportunities for children and adults to race each other along the course.

Themed Playgrounds
Imagination is crucial to help boost children's development - socially, emotionally, creatively, and cognitively. Children who use their imagination in play learn important skills, like cooperation, problem-solving, creative thinking, and more. Themed playgrounds offer an opportunity to encourage that self-expression and creativity.
Themed playgrounds are becoming more and more popular. Not only are they fun and exciting to look at, but they also deliver important physical and mental stimulation to keep kids engaged and active in a variety of ways. Consider a theme - like the animal kingdom, outer space, or fantasy, like a castle with dragons - that take children to a different world where they can transform into a lion prowling the forest or a princess in a faraway land.
Playgrounds of the next generation will be thoughtful and strategic in creating environments where children can learn and develop by refining their senses, playing together, and discovering their creativity.