How to play in the playground

In / At The Playground?

(a) The two children play in / at / on the playground.

(a) The two children play in / at / on the playground.

I don’t think there is reason for that. To me, most of the time, prepositions like these don’t really follow a logic rule. We say ‘in the playground’ in this case because this is what native speakers of English tend to say. Grammar rules follow native speakers’ habits, people create the rules based on the pattern the language is used by native speakers of English. Of course, this is only what I think and know, maybe others can tell you the reason why we don’t use ‘at’ or ‘on’ in that context. After all, I am an English learner too.

Vincent Teo I hope someone can give me the good point of view.

I don’t see any objection to any of these.

The children are playing [at / in / on] the playground.

at: near or in or on the playground.
This might be used if we are far from the playground and cannot see the children playing there.

— Where are the children? I haven’t seen them here this morning.
— They’re not here. They’re at the playground. / They’re playing at the playground.
(They have gone to the playground to do their playing.)

in: within the area defined as the playground, perhaps enclosed by a protective fence. This is probably the most usual meaning we want to communicate when speaking of playing. The idea is that the playground is something that we enter. There may even be a gate to enter through. By extension, even playgrounds which are less enclosed or not gated can be thought of as places we enter.

on: on (in contact with) the surface of the area defined as the playground. This is a less used alternative when speaking of children playing. But for organized sports on a field of play it’s very common.

The teams are assembled on the field and are ready to play.

We found this watch on the playground. I wonder who lost this watch.

19 Best Playground Games & Activities For Kids

Providing sufficient outdoor activities and exercise for our kids has become a challenge with today’s technological advances; kids would rather be inside on their phones and playing video games than playing outdoors. You can increase the time children spend outside playing by providing a variety of fun playground activities and games. In this article, we have a collection of playground games beginning with simple games for very young children and progressing to more challenging games for older kids. The playground activities we describe require some additional materials and frequently have more steps and directions. We also have a playground game list of those that require almost no directions and no additional materials.

Table of Contents

Playground games and activities provide many benefits, including the following:

The best playground games and activities provide organized play to get and maintain kids’ interest. We have provided a variety of games and activities to use for school recess, camps, and neighborhood playgrounds. Have fun!

Playground Games for Kids

Playgrounds provide exercise and fun, especially when a group of children get together to play playground games. Make sure children have adequate adult supervision and engage in age-appropriate activities. Adults should not assume all children are familiar with playground equipment and rules; some children will need to be taught how to safely use playground equipment. Before you have children begin playing, it is a good idea to cover a few playground rules to guarantee safety.

A traditional playground game, this old favorite is probably the simplest playground game to play. One player is “it” runs after the other players. Advise players that tagging should be a slight tap. There are several fun versions of tag, among them:

Mother May I?

Although this game is designed for very young children, players of every age have fun with a game of “Mother May I?” Choose one player to be the Mother and give directions to the other players. Mother stands at one end of the playing area facing away from the other players. The children ask the Mother for permission to make a movement, beginning each question with, “Mother, May I?” If Mother answers yes, the player begins making the requested movement toward Mother. If Mother says no, she makes a suggestion prefacing it with, “No you may not, but you may _________.” The child that reaches the Mother first becomes the next player to be Mother. Since Mother’s back is turned, she does not know who is getting close or who is asking the question. Some movements that work well for this game are:

Duck, Duck, Goose

Have all the children sit or stand in a circle. One child is “it” and walks around the circle patting the heads of the other players saying “duck” or “goose.” If they tap a player and yell “goose,” the player tapped chases “it.” The goal is for “it” to reach the goose’s spot and steal it before they are caught.

Red Rover

A fun, active game for a large group of children, Red Rover starts by dividing a group of children into two equal teams. The teams face each other holding hands. Teams take turns calling out the name of a player on the other team by saying, “Red rover, red rover, send _________ over.” The child whose name is called attempts to break through the line of the opposing team. If they succeed, they choose a player to take with them and run back to their own team. If they fail to break through, they join the opposing team. The game ends when one team has only one player left.

Tips for playing Red Rover:

Hens and Chicks

Designate two safe spots about twenty-five to thirty-five feet apart. Choose a hen to wander the area between the two safe spots. All the players – the chicks – start at one safe spot and run to the other when the hen calls for her chicks. The hen tries to tag her chicks, who then join the hen in the center to chase the chicks in the next round. The last chick left becomes the hen for the next game.

Playground Activities

Playground activities require additional materials and frequently have more steps, directions, and even established rules. Additionally, most of the playground activities we have listed work best with large groups of children.

You will need a small- to medium-sized soft ball for this game. Number the children and have them all stand together in a group. One child is “it,” calls out a number, and throws the ball into the air above the group. The player whose number is called yells, “Spud!” and grabs the ball. Everyone else freezes. The player with the ball takes up to four steps towards another player and throws the ball at that player. If they miss or the player catches the ball instead of being hit, the thrower gets an “S.” If the thrower succeeds in hitting the other play, the player hit gets a “S.” Either way, the player who “it” was trying to hit becomes the next thrower. The game continues and anyone who spells out SPUD (because they have been hit four times, miss, or catch the ball) is out of the game. If “it” calls out a number nobody has by mistake, all the players rush to the ball and touch it. The last player touching the ball gets a letter. The winner is the player that last the longest in this fun game.

Hopscotch

Create the game’s course by drawing squares with chalk on a concrete surface. Begin with three vertical squares numbered 1, 2, and 3. Next draw two horizontal squares and number them 4 and 5. Continue with 1 vertical square (6), two horizontal squares (7 and 8), and a vertical square (9). End with a slightly larger square and number it “10.”

Each player takes a turn throwing a small object (as a kid this writer used a pebble) to land on the first square. If the toss lands outside the square or touches the border, play passes to the next person in line. The goal is to jump through the course, jumping on one foot on the vertical squares and two feet on the horizontal squares. If a player misses a jump or jumps on the border, they lose their turn. Each time you jump the course, you move your marker to the next numbered square. The tenth square is where you turn around to come back. On the way back, the player picks up their marker by stopping on the square just before the square the marker is on. Once the marker is picked up, the player jumps over that square and continues back to where they started. They hand the marker to the next player who takes their turn. The first person to successfully complete the course is the winner.

Giant Marbles

Begin by gathering many playground balls of different sizes (soccer, volley, tennis, etc.) Draw a circle with playground chalk or use a rope placed in a circle large enough to hold all the balls spread out a bit. Players stand ten feet from the circle and take turns rolling a heavier ball, such as a basketball, into the circle and knocking as many balls as they can out of the circle. The player who has the most balls when the circle is empty wins the game.

Capture the Flag

You need at least ten players separated into two teams for a game of Capture the Flag. Each team has a territory in which they may move about freely. They also have a flag (or any other type of object). The goal of the game is to capture the other team’s flag and take it to your team’s territory without being tagged. If someone is tagged, they go to “jail,” a designated spot, such as a boulder or large tree. A player in jail must touch the jail at all times. A player may be released from jail by one of their own team members touching them.

Four Square

Mark a large square on the ground or pavement divided into four, five-foot squares. Number the squares clockwise from 1 to 4. Play begins when the player in square 4 hits a rubber playground ball to the player in the next square (#1), who must hit the ball to the next square (#2) after only one bounce. Play continues clockwise. If a player misses the ball, serves it incorrectly, or the ball bounces more than once in a square, then that player is out and another child waiting to play replaces him. The players remaining move up one square. The goal is to get to square number four without missing the ball or making a mistake that takes one out of the game.

Tug of War

Divide your group into two equal teams. Try to make them relatively equal in size and strength. Each team takes the end of a long rope. Place a mark on the ground between the two teams right in the middle. The object of the game is to pull the other team past the marker in the middle. The team that manages to do so, wins the game.

Playground Games List

Sometimes one needs a quick and easy playground game that requires no additional equipment, can be played by any age, and takes little direction. Our playground games list has a selection of easy and fun games anyone will enjoy.

Hide and Seek

All the children hide while the seeker counts to 20. Then the seeker attempts to find all the other players before they can make it back to the base and safety without being caught.

Red-Light, Green-Light

Players line up on one side of the playground and one is the “caller” who yells out “Red light!” or Green light!” Players run towards the finish line, freezing when “Red light?” is called and moving when “Green light” is called. Anyone moving when they should not is out.

Leap Frog

Create teams of two or three players. The teams race by getting on their hands and knees and leap frogging over each other to the end of a field.

Simon Says

One player is Simon and yells out commands, prefacing them with “Simon says”, such as hop on one foot, sit down, crawl, etc. Anyone who does not do what Simon says is out. Simon sometimes gives a command without saying “Simon says.” Anyone who obeys one of these commands is out.

Creeper

The entire group stands in one long line with their legs apart and eyes shut. The person at the end of the line must crawl through the legs of the other players without touching them. Once they do so, they stay at the front of the line. Anyone who touches another player is out. The winner is the last player left.

Rise Up!

All the players sit in a circle with their legs crossed and their arms around each other’s shoulders. When someone yells, “Go!” everyone tries to stand up together without letting go of each other.

Skin the Snake

All the players stand in line with their legs apart. Each player passes their right hand between their legs and holds the left hand of the person behind them. The last person in line starts to crawl through the legs of those in front of them and everyone follows, without letting go. The goal is to have everyone standing in a line when the last person crawls through. The larger the group, the more fun this game is!

Catch the Caterpillar

Players line up holding the waist of the person in front of them forming a caterpillar. The first player in the line pulls free and tries to run to and tag the back of the caterpillar while the other players try to stop the player from doing so.

Whether you choose a playground game for a large group, or a more complicated playground activity with equipment and rules, you will find the time flies when you play one of the games in this article. We have included tried-and-true playground favorites for both children and adults and some new games as well. Many of the games require teamwork, strategy, and lots of energy. And, of course, we have our list of quick and easy playground games. Whichever game you choose, play away and have fun!

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Susan majored in English with a double minor in Humanities and Business at Arizona State University and earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. She taught grades four through twelve in both public and private schools. Subjects included English, U.S. and world history and geography, math, earth and physical science, Bible, information technologies, and creative writing.

Susan has been freelance writing for over ten years, during which time she has written and edited books, newspaper articles, biographies, book reviews, guidelines, neighborhood descriptions for realtors, Power Point presentations, resumes, and numerous other projects.

1 Comment

Thank you Susan for sharing such wonderful playground games ideas!!
I am a grandma of 3 kids and now I am outfitted on what to do to
get them ALL to come to the playground every time I visit.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR SHARING THEM WITH EVERYONE.

What is the difference between «in the playground» and «on the playground»

He is playing in the playground.

He is playing on the playground.

Can you tell me the difference between the two expression above?

5 Answers 5

I think the question in the title and the question in the body are quite different. As far as playground is concerned, both in or on are fine.

In the ground, as Sirish points out, has the literal meaning of being in the ground, as in:

There are lots of minerals in the ground.

He found a beautiful stone in the ground.

On the ground has two meanings. One is the literal meaning of being on the surface of the ground, as in:

There’s a big rock on the ground.

On the ground has also an idiomatic meaning: among the general public, as in

Their political ideas have a lot of support on the ground.

Whether to use in or on is a matter of Dimensionality.

Since playground can be thought of

both on the playground and in the playground are correct and both are common.

In the ground (inside), on the ground (top),.I use on the ground only. For instance, «Treasure is in the ground». where as «Something dropped on the ground beside her».

In this case, the line between in and on is a little blurry, and both terms could be used correctly.

However, if we had to make a distinction, we could probably say that

He is playing in the playground

. means that he is inside a defined area, set aside for play, referred to as the playground, possibly with the implication that this playground is a standalone area. It would normally be used when the speaker is outside the playground.

He is playing on the playground

. is a more context-sensitive. It could mean:

That ‘he’ is on the designated playground area attached to a school or other facility

That the play area is divided into a grass area and a paved or padded area, and ‘he’ is playing on the prepared area

That there is a climbing set or other play equipment set up in the play area, and he is playing on that equipment (commonly colloquially called a playground).

This would also more often be used if the speaker is inside the area being referred to, to specify a more precise location within the school/play area.

Guide to Choosing Playground Equipment

Playground equipment comes in just about all shapes and sizes. It can be challenging to choose the best playground equipment for schools, parks or community centers when there are so many different types of playgrounds. Nevertheless, a playground is a necessary component of a nurturing community. Playtime at the playground helps kids develop lifelong skills, build relationships and get the physical activity they need.

We put together this guide to help you choose playground equipment the children in your community will love, and that suits your needs and budget. Once you consider the most important factors, choosing playground equipment becomes a much more manageable task, and it can even be a lot of fun. Just imagine the impact your playground can have on your community for years to come.

Read the full article or skip to a specific section:

Factors to Consider

Your playground will help the children in your community grow, stay active and create memories they’ll cherish for life. It’s critical to choose exciting equipment that will motivate kids to step away from the screen and get outside to play. We understand you also have a budget and limited space to work with, so you’ll need to find the right balance between fun and practicality. It helps to make a list of everything you need to consider before shopping for equipment. Here’s our list of important factors to consider to help you find playground equipment that works for you and your community.

1. Location

First, you’ll need to consider where you plan to install playground equipment and how much space you have, including overhead space. Once you measure the dimensions of the area available for playground equipment, you’ll be able to select equipment that fits and leaves adequate room for kids to move freely and play safely.

Most manufacturers list equipment measurements and the amount of space needed for kids to use the equipment safely, so you should be able to determine if a piece will fit easily. Just make sure to consider the room you’ll need around the equipment as well. For example, according to the CSA Standard, the use zone around climbers should extend at least 1.83 meters or six feet in all directions from the climber. Likewise, swings need adequate clearance to prevent collisions between swings.

If you’re worried about space limitations, know that there’s plenty of exciting equipment available regardless of area size. For example, if your play area will be small, a spin rocker doesn’t take up much space but offers a ton of fun. If you have a large area available for a playground, your options are nearly limitless.

You’ll also want to consider how much sun exposure the location gets, and keep this in mind when selecting equipment. For example, if the space gets a lot of direct sunlight, you’ll want to avoid purchasing bare metal equipment, as this could increase burn injury risk. You might also consider adding equipment that offers shade, such as forts or other structures with roofs.

Lastly, consider the plants and trees surrounding the playground, and how you can incorporate those elements with the playground equipment you choose.

2. Needs and Budget

Before you buy playground equipment, consider what you need and how much you can afford to spend on equipment alone. Ask yourself questions such as:

Although the playground equipment will be your largest expense, make sure to leave room in your budget for the following:

3. How Much Does Playground Equipment Cost?

There is such a vast range of playground equipment available you’re sure to find equipment to meet your needs –– even if you’re on a tight budget.

4. Age Group

Consider the ages of the children who will be using the new playground equipment. You need to choose age-appropriate playground equipment so kids can avoid injuries as they play. Age-appropriate equipment also provides the stimulation kids need to grow and develop physical, social and cognitive skills. With the right equipment, the kids at your playground won’t even notice they’re exercising and building new skills, because they’ll be too busy having fun.

If your playground needs to accommodate various age groups, consider how you’ll separate different play areas and keep young children from playing on equipment for older kids.

Ready for some ideas? Here are the different age groups and equipment ideas to help you choose fun age-appropriate equipment.

A. Toddlers

Toddlers are developing tons of new skills such as climbing, balancing and coordination skills. Playground equipment for toddlers should encourage safe development of motor skills, provide sensory stimulation and offer opportunities to play make-believe. Consider choosing playground equipment such as:

B. Preschoolers

Preschoolers are full of energy and need adventurous activities that allow them to climb, balance, and test their physical abilities. Preschool children are also developing social skills and cognitive skills at a rapid pace. Playground equipment should encourage preschoolers to share, take turns, play well with other children, solve problems and use their imagination. Some examples include:

C. Elementary School

Children in elementary school are still growing, but they have developed a range of motor, cognitive and social skills. Children in this age group love to stay busy, enjoy a variety of activities, know how to cooperate with others and like to play games and sports. Elementary school children need playground equipment that will challenge and stimulate them, as well as provide opportunities for enjoying playtime with friends. Examples include:

D. Outdoor Play Equipment for Older Children

Fun at the playground doesn’t have to stop for older children. Adolescents also need to exercise, get plenty of sunshine and spend time with friends. Older kids need at least one hour of moderate to intense physical activity every day, and they should include bone-strengthening and muscle-strengthening activities at least three days a week in their routine. Because teenagers are far more independent than younger children, they need access to fun equipment that will motivate them to stay in shape. Here are some playground equipment ideas for older kids:

5. Inclusive and Accessible Equipment

Make sure to incorporate inclusive and accessible playground equipment in your playground. An inclusive playground invites children of all developmental abilities to play and grow. It includes stimulating equipment that encourages all children to play together and provides a fun and engaging experience for all.

Accessible playgrounds are built to accommodate children with physical disabilities, and accessible playground equipment features ramps and transfer points so all children can use play structures side by side. You can also include customized swings so children with physical disabilities can enjoy soaring through the sky next to their friends.

You’ll also want to choose inclusive and accessible playground equipment to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA). The AODA aims to benefit all Ontarians by enforcing accessibility standards and removing barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in the community.

The key to creating an inclusive playground is to choose a mix of playground equipment that encourages children with a wide range of abilities and preferences to play. The goal is to be fair to all children and give each child a chance to develop new skills and enjoy fun challenges together or individually. For example, play equipment that encourages imaginative play allows children of different physical abilities to play and grow together. You might include a ground-level playhouse, for instance, so children can act out different roles and have fun together regardless of physical ability. Make sure to include equipment that allows children who prefer to play independently to enjoy time at the playground, too. Here are some ideas:

Overall, you’ll want your playground to include a variety of simulating equipment for all children, including ground-level play activities and activities accessible by ramps and transfer systems. Make sure you’ll have enough space for children to access the playground equipment easily. Also, include a variety of equipment sizes so children of all ages can play in age-appropriate areas.

6. Custom and Themed Playgrounds

Aim to select playground equipment that sparks the imagination and gets kids excited to play. Depending on your budget, you might choose a custom or themed playground to make your playground stand out from the rest. If you make your playground unique or choose an adventurous theme, kids and families will look forward to visiting and enjoying hours of fun and exercise.

When it comes to themed playgrounds, you have many options. For example, you might choose a playground with a dinosaur theme that sends kids back to the Jurassic era. They can set their imaginations free as they swing close to a Tyrannosaurus rex or hide from pterodactyls in a giant dinosaur bone. Either way, they’ll be bound for a memorable adventure.

Some kids might love to play in a castle-themed park where they can act out their favorite fairy tales. They’ll develop social and cognitive skills as they play different roles with other children and experience life from various perspectives.

Overall, themed playgrounds feature stimulating sensory elements that encourage kids to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Themed playgrounds are also attractive, colorful and add visual appeal to a community.

You also have the option of creating a custom playground to incorporate local themes, colors or designs into the playground of your dreams. If you wish to create custom playground equipment, you’ll get to share your vision with a dedicated team of designers and engineers who will then bring your ideas to life. Whether you choose a custom or themed playground, you can create a truly unique experience for the children in your community that’ll keep them coming back for years.

Different Types of Playground Equipment

Lastly, you’ll want to consider what children enjoy playing on the most when choosing playground equipment. Think of the type of equipment the children already enjoy and consider how the equipment will benefit them and foster skill development. If you select a variety of equipment, you’ll be sure to include something for everyone.

In general, kids love bright cheerful colors, exploring their senses, testing their physical abilities, competing with friends and having adventures. Playground equipment is designed for kids to have fun while they safely explore their abilities. Here are some examples of timeless playground equipment that kids love and parents feel good about:

Request a Quote From PlayPower Canada

Choosing the right playground equipment for your playground can feel overwhelming. With so many factors to consider, and so many types and styles of playground equipment available, it can be a challenge to narrow your options. Let’s not forget the need to keep the budget and location in mind. Fortunately, you don’t have to build your playground alone. At PlayPower Canada, our team of experts is waiting to answer your questions and help you design a safe, inclusive playground kids will love, and parents will feel proud of.

Since 1947, PlayPower Canada has been a leader in commercial playground equipment in Canada. We bring the best brands to the schools, parks and communities we serve. Whether you want a themed playground to rev young imaginations, have dreams for a custom design or need an affordable solution that invites all kids to have fun while they grow, we will work with you to meet your needs and your budget. To learn more about choosing high-quality playground equipment for your playground, contact us today, or request a quote!

Life Lessons You Can Only Learn Playing On the Playground

Playtime for children is a fundamental part of our early years. Many parents and educators see playtime as a way for children to have fun and enjoy their time as kids. However, research is increasingly showing that this early experience can have a profound, positive impact that can last well into a child’s adult life.

There are many benefits of play for children. Playtime, recess and time in the playground give children a chance to move around, interact with other children, extended their skills, learn new things and work on physical, social, emotional and sensory development.

Read the full article or jump to a specific section:

Structured Play vs. Free Pay

Experts sometimes divide play into two categories: structured play and free play. Children often get quite a bit of structured playtime. Structured playtime refers to play which is supervised and organized or led by adults. Children get structured playtime through books, games, classroom activities, supervised play at home, and more. Examples of structured play include family board game nights, video games played together, and educational games suggested and led by a teacher. Each time a child is engaged in a game or other play activity led by an adult this is structured play.

Free play, on the other hand, refers to time children spend engaging in supervised creative and play exercises without specific instructions or initiation from adults – unless, of course, it pertains to safety. Playtime on a playground and recess are two good examples of free playtime. Adult supervision is present, but adults provide less structure for the playtime in these situations. It is up to children to decide what to do and what order to attempt different activities within the rules and guidelines of the playground.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of play. Structured play can be organized in such a way that it helps children learn specific skills and abilities. For example, educators can set up play stations with math and reading games to teach children math and language skills.

Structured play can also ensure children have lots of encouragement and guidance. If some kids struggle to engage with others or have a hard time taking part, the active involvement of a parent or teacher can address this challenge. On the other hand, it can result in less creativity. Free play can encourage more creativity and dynamic exchange among students.

One of the most common forms of free play children get is through time on the playground and time at recess while closely supervised by playground monitors or teachers. It is hard to overstate the importance of recess for childhood development or to overemphasize how rare this form of play is getting. Only about 40% of schools in Chicago have recess and many schools are considering reducing or eliminating it.

Taking away free play is a serious problem and can negatively affect children. Without recess, children do not have access to the many benefits of this type of play. They may have less room to develop their creativity, solve their problems, or interact with students they do not usually encounter in their classrooms. There are also a number of very important benefits of recess and playgrounds that children may miss without free play.

What Is the Importance of Free Play?

Well-supervised free play can have a number of benefits for children, including:

1) Thinking outside the box.

One of the benefits of play without a lot of structure is that children are encouraged to think for themselves and to come up with creative ideas. Without an adult telling them the rules of the game, or how to play, kids are free to come up with their own ideas and practice problem-solving. For example, if a playground activity only has spots for two children and three children are trying to play together, an instructor may come up with a resolution in structured play. In free play, children may need to develop a unique solution, such as having one child act as a narrator for a play scene they are acting out. Since children in free play might not turn to an adult for help, they need to start thinking of ways to resolve challenges they face on their own. This encourages children to learn and grow on their own, but close supervision allows an adult to intervene if any of the solutions they come up with violate playground safety rules or guidelines.

While structured play has clear rules and usually a reward system to encourage competition, free play encourages children to develop these rules and rewards themselves; children are free to create their own rules and games. Instead of using a slide as a slide, for example, they can create their own game involving imaginary play. The slide can become a fortress or a tower in a castle and the children go down the slide when they need to defend their fortress from an invading dragon.

One of the ways child’s play encourages creativity is by asking children to call upon past experiences and use them in new ways. If a child has learned in the classroom to make friends by asking questions, for example, they may start an interaction with a new player on the playground by asking questions. This thinking outside the box encourages children to build on their experiences. As they learn this skill, they learn to adapt creativity to a variety of environments, including the classroom.

2) Free play means less structure, so children have to cooperate more.

Without structured activities defined by adults, children have to work together to resolve issues and to play together. With structured play, parents and other adults may be encouraging children to cooperate and get along. Without this parental input, children have to decide on their own how to cooperate and how to work together. Whether they’re trying to learn how to climb the side of a climber or figure out how to make an activity station work, without adult input, children tend to pull together to come up with ideas. Of course, a supervising adult can step in to remind children of playground guidelines and make sure that everyone stays safe.

3) Leadership development.

In structured play, parents or adults are the leaders. In free play, children need to take turns being the leader or divide up leadership roles as needed. Whether that means determining what a fair rule is or playing referee, leaders are created on the playground.

Free play also encourages leadership by developing emotional intelligence and by helping children see the importance of communication to social influence. If kids want to play with others on the playground, they need to be able to communicate their ideas for games and entice others to see the rules their way. This can help children learn how to lead by example and communicate effectively.

4) Greater creativity.

Free play encourages children to make up their own games and structure their own activities. With open-ended playground equipment, especially, children are freed from the activities adults make up for them and get to create their own unique games. Maybe they get to pretend they are from another planet and are trying to get a ball across the playground. Perhaps they decide to invent an entirely new game centered on the swings. Either way, this type of free play encourages children to become authors of their own activities.

5) An outlet for energy.

One of the benefits of outdoor play and recess is that it allows children to get exercise and enjoy being active. Children often have higher energy for many reasons. Younger children may have higher energy, which can affect their ability to focus on activities important for their cognitive development if they do not have the chance to burn it off. Supervised free play gives them an outlet for this energy so that they can better focus on other, less active learning activities.

6) Allow children to move away from sedentary activities.

Children spend considerable time sitting in the car, sitting in class, playing video games and engaging in other sedentary tasks. In one study, children between the ages of 6 and 11 were found to spend more than 40% of their time in sedentary activities. A CDC study found that just 12.37% of high school students were taking part in intensive physical exercise at least three times a week.

This can be a serious concern since a sedentary lifestyle is linked to many health issues. Children who watch at least three hours of television a day have a 65% higher risk of obesity. Free play and time outdoors on the playground encourage children to move around and to get exercise. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 60 minutes of activity daily can reduce the risk of childhood obesity.

7) Teach children independence.

A study from the University of Colorado examined both structured and free play and concluded that children who engaged in more unstructured play had more advanced self-directed executive function. This function allows for organization, initiation of activities, planning, the ability to move between activities, and other tasks we usually associate with independence. Children who spent more time in structured play had less finely honed levels of this type of skill.

8) Improve cognitive function.

Research on animals has found that periods of play and exploration increase the amount of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which encourages the maintenance and growth of brain cells. While similar tests are not possible on humans, researchers concluded that the tests show the importance of play for human cognitive and brain development. About 75% of brain development happens between infancy and age 20, and play can encourage strong cognitive development by promoting the connections between nerve cells in the brain to form.

9) Work to reduce bullying.

Bullying and aggression are a serious concern on playgrounds, with as many as one in three students reporting being bullied at some point in their school careers. Free play may help reduce instances of bullying, as some schools have discovered. One school, Swanson Primary School, saw a decline in bullying, timeout incidents and problems after eliminating rules during recess. According to school authorities, students became more engaged in play and less bored, causing them to act out less. While free play has been shown to lead to less instances of bullying, teachers and guardians should still keep a close eye on children during playtime to intervene in any cases of bullying.

10) Improve responsibility.

During the childhood years, the frontal lobe portion of the brain develops as children take risks and see the consequences. In structured play, children may not be taking many risks, but in free play on the playground, kids have to make more decisions and then accept the consequences. If a child struggles while trying a too-ambitious piece of playground equipment, they can learn from this experience and see how their actions lead to results. Over time, a child can learn to take responsibility once they see the connection between their actions and the outcomes.

While many types of play and activity can be beneficial to children, free play can offer a number of tangible benefits by providing kids more freedom to learn and grow. Free play does not mean children are unsupervised.

During all free play activities, adults should closely watch over children and step in as needed. However, children initiate activities and are allowed to choose their own solutions to problems as much as possible.

What Are Children Learning Playing on the Playground?

Playgrounds are an important area for free play. In many cases, children play on playgrounds at recess, where they can move away from structured classroom time for a while. When parents and caregivers take children to a playground outside of school hours, they give children a chance to pick their own activities and pursue their own play experiences.

Children learn essential skills on the playground they cannot learn easily in other places. Many of these skills are ones that they will need later in life, and will build upon as they grow:

Playgrounds provide a unique opportunity for play because they provide a space where children can engage in unstructured play while also being supervised by adults nearby. Playgrounds also offer some structure. Playgrounds like the Rise Above structure have recognizable elements such as decks, slides and ladders. Children know what to do with these and have some idea how to play on these pieces of equipment. At the same time, the playground is open-ended enough to allow children to find unique ways to play. Kids can pretend the climbers are a mountain ridge, for example, and the decks are a tower.

Playgrounds are great because they can offer both structured and free play. Children can play on a playground like the Metro Station on their own, or educators and parents can create groups of children on the playground and lead kids through stations with more structured activities.

Structured vs. Unstructured Playground Play

As the American Academy of Pediatrics claims, play is fundamental for children’s development. Both structured and unstructured play have important places in childhood.

Recess is part of the equation and an important way to reach a majority of children. Children spend about half of the hours they are awake in school. This can be an excellent opportunity to give children a chance for play and exercise. Just 30 minutes of recess every day can add up to ten hours of enriching playtime and physical development in a month. Even more time can be granted to play and exercise with regular visits to the playground outside of school.

Some parents and schools believe in free play on playgrounds, where children are allowed to determine the length of play and activities. This helps give children free reign to adapt any activities they wish. Others instill structured play and report it can improve playground experiences and participation.

Some schools emphasize the importance of structured play in helping children with their development. Structured play encourages children to learn skills that they may not have developed with activities chosen during free play. Games centered around math, for example, help children learn necessary math skills, even if a child has not learned to appreciate that subject yet. Students in structured play cannot opt out of specific games or activities as easily, which means they learn skills that, on their own, they might not have mastered.

Studies have also shown some big benefits to structured play. One study of schools with a more structured recess found 43% less exclusion and bullying and a 34% fewer number of minutes in getting children to focus back on work after recess. The same study found that schools with structured recess time had 43% more of recess time engaged in physical exercise compared with other recess structures.

Supervised free play, on the other hand, allows children to explore areas where they are already strong and things they genuinely enjoy, or areas of interest to them that they have yet to experience. A child who loves music, for example, may naturally gravitate towards activity panels on a playground where he or she can make music. Since free play is less structured, a child can develop their own rules and can create their own games or without being unduly influenced by our ideas of what they could or should be doing. Doctors Robert Murray and Catherine Ramstetter, writing for the American Academy of Pediatrics, concluded that free play is especially beneficial for a child’s creativity, health, and development.

Whether you believe in the importance of play in child development through structured or unstructured play, there is little doubt that both types of play have a place in a child’s life.

How to Encourage Learning on the Playground

If you have a playground, you have the opportunity to create a space for play that allows for both supervised free and structured play. You can ensure your playground helps kids develop as much as possible by encouraging both types of play. You can do this by:

If you would like to create a playground where play is encouraged and where children have a number of opportunities to develop skills that will last them a lifetime, work with Playworld to create a quality playground where the focus is on having fun and learning on the playground. Playworld works with local sources and with childhood experts to build playgrounds designed to help children maximize growth and development. Playworld works with engineers and child-tests playground equipment to make sure kids are thrilled to play on our playgrounds.

We take safety very seriously. Each piece of equipment from Playworld is carefully tested and made from the highest-grade materials for durability and safety. To protect your child’s future, our equipment is 99.9999% free of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) and we recycle 95% of waste.

Since 1971, we have been serving communities, schools, places of worship, and other organizations. Groups trust us because we make innovative and quality playground equipment that kids love. Educators love us because we build playgrounds designed to encourage sensory, cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development.

If you want kids to benefit from supervised free play and structured play, start planning your playground today. We can help with the design, ordering, and even the financing of your playground. Browse our playgrounds to start designing your ideal play area today.