Playgrounds

It is a proven fact that the activity of playing is essential for the physical and mental development of children. Even elderly folk can relive the memories of the old vintage school playground equipment they enjoyed when they were young. There is a sense of nostalgia in the creak of the chains on an old playground swing, the metallic clatter of going down a long slide and the thumping of a seesaw going up and down. These vintage pieces of playground equipment can still be found in schools, campgrounds and some residential backyards today. Many of these older pieces of outdoor playground equipment can be purchased used from such institutions when they are upgrading their schoolyard playground equipment.

While metal tubing is a longstanding traditional material for playground equipment, the last few decades have see a revolution in the design and construction of outdoor playground equipment. With the advent of high-density plastics, the very face of the outdoor playground has changed. There are now complex towers constructed to provide places to climb, slide, swing and run all in the same overlarge unit. These "Play Structures" are becoming as common of the public playgrounds as the swings and slides used to be. Some of the advantages to these types of playground equipment are that with plastics you do not have to fear splinter injury from aging wood and the construction embeds potentially dangerous connecting hardware so a projecting bolt is not sticking out to snag an unwary player.

These "Play Structures" can combine all the traditional playground exercises into a single space and can be constructed not only for large outdoor play areas but can be obtained in smaller versions that can be assembled indoors for a dedicated playground room in your home or garage. Another psychological benefit of the inclusive playground structure model of children’s playground equipment is the sense of companionship this allows. Instead of having to move from place to place on a playground, the structures allow the children to play in closer proximity.

The newer types of playground equipment can be pricey but are designed to be a long term investment which can last through a lifetime of use not only by your kids but will still be ready and waiting for the grandkids to come for a visit as well. Online searches will turn up many places that you can even find your kids a discount priced playground structure. Some discontinued models of the play structures can be found at 50% and more discounted from their suggested retail prices.