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I’m passionate about bringing inclusive playgrounds to your community.
My company, Let Kids Play, has worked with Playworld for almost 2 decades to bring the most exciting, fun, inclusive playgrounds to communities just like yours. I am thrilled to share with you my knowledge about inclusive play design. Please reach out if you have other questions.
One in six children in the United States have one or more disabilities.
At Playworld, we understand that children of all abilities and ages want to play — both on their own and with their peers. We also know how essential play is for all kids to grow and develop.
It’s about children of all abilities enjoying and sharing in the holistic benefits of play. It’s about a family with child with a disability, a typically developing child, and the parent or grandparent all going to the playground together.
It’s about being a part of something—together.
Small but mighty, these 8 keys will help you design inclusive playground for all children.
1. The 'Coolest Thing'
2. Social Play
3. Sensory Play
4. Levels Of Challenge
5. Zones
6. Routes And Maneuverability
7. Unitary Surfacing
8. Fencing
Provide play events that will stimulate imagination as well as cooperative and parallel play.
Incorporate activities that engage the auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, vision, and vestibular sensory systems.
Make travel routes around and through the playground wide enough for wheelchair users to pass, transfer onto equipment, and get close to activities.
Fencing is important for running or elopement, also known as wandering. A contained area for play is especially helpful for those on the autism spectrum.
Choose play activities that provide graduated levels of challenge, ensuring all ages and abilities are actively engaged on the playground.
3 levels of spinning--Unity SpinR
3 levels of swinging--Basket Swing
3 levels of climbing--Unity Dome
3 levels of swinging-Cruise Line
3 levels of spinning--Accessible Whirl
3 levels of spinning--Double Decker Cone Spinner
3 levels climbing/crawling-PlayCubes
3 levels of climbing/crawling--Inchworm
Everyone can play on the Aeroglider! A person using a wheelchair rolls right on with her
friends on the benches or the back, and they all work together cooperatively to create the vestibular motion. Every inclusive playground should have at least one piece of equipment where children can experience movement without leaving their wheelchairs.
Learn more about the AeroGlider
NEOS 360 ADA--combines the speed and fun of electronic games with the movement of aerobic exercise. The game buttons are placed at the optimal reach range. It is one of the best inclusive products on the market. NEOS attracts people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. “Always the Coolest Thing on the Playground. Always accessible for all.”
Group swings are one of the most inclusive elements on a playground; children of all ages and abilities can play together at their level. The Basket Swing provides three challenge levels depending on whether a child is standing, sitting, or lying down to play. It is designed for easy transfer from a wheelchair.
For more information on the Unity Basket Swing
Designed in cooperation with a physical therapist, specially designed for those with autism spectrum disorders or need a place for retreat. The enclosed space provides a place for a child to escape the playground when overstimulated: the inside has tactile experiences. There are windows for adult visibility, and helpful grips provide a more accessible entrance/exit for a child.
For more information on the Cozy Cocoon
Provide an inclusive balancing experience. The unique Balance Trax encourages children with delayed gross motor skills to work on balancing at their own challenge level. Balance Trax was developed in coordination with a physical therapist. It is textured to provide a tactile grip so children can better sense the surface.
This large, kid-powered spinner encourages cooperative play. Children are invited to climb, recline, hang, or perch and surf the outer rim. The inclusive seats allow children with poor trunk control to sit back and enjoy the ride. Grip-friendly handles let riders steady themselves and provide a handhold for the person starting the spin. A cup in the center offers space for friends to be together.
This spinner combines the excitement of spinning with the challenge of climbing for an exhilarating play experience. This spinner is great for children of all physical abilities. Children can challenge themselves by climbing to the top. The opening at the floor level enables a child who cannot climb to sit on the floor. This cooperative play equipment engages children of all abilities.
Everyone can spin! The Accessible Whirl provides all children with the excitement of spinning. R Children and adults using wheelchairs and other mobility devices can join in the fun. The whirl is flush with the ground for ease of access. The textures change from the playground's surfacing to the whirl, allowing visual-impaired children to maneuver easily onto the equipment.
For more information on the Accessible Whirl
Playhouses have been a favorite with kids for decades, but now Playworld® PlayTown™ builds an entire community around the concept. Each product was designed to be enjoyed by children of all abilities, including those with autism, developmental delays, and those who use mobility devices. The open designs keep kids in view and encourage imaginative and interactive play among kids, parents, and caregivers.
Learn more about PlayTown™
The Concerto line of outdoor musical equipment allows children of all abilities to experience the joy and benefits of making music. Designed at a more accessible angle and height, all kids can play these instruments comfortably, including those with mobility devices. The instruments are tuned to traditional seven-note-scale enabling children to play actual songs.
To learn more about Concerto
Bambino helps you create a "SENSORY ROOM" on your playground. This multi-sensory event helps develop balance skills, encourages discovery with activity panels, and stimulates children with motion activities. The openness of this piece enables a child using a wheelchair to maneuver around the play panels easily. Unlimited entry and exit points allow children to approach and play with different activities at their own learning pace.
ZoomTrax launches users into fun by providing a smooth ride with an element of perceived risk. ZoomTrax delights users as they soar from one end to another suspended along an overhead rail! Each unit accommodates one rider with a disc-style or accessible seat. This is excellent equipment for parallel play as the children ride side-by-side.
The Unity Dome made up of intricate circles and lines that lead to all sorts of challenging play adventures. The rings and rungs are at various height levels. Rings provide stability for those with lower body mobility to walk around the dome's perimeter. A wheelchair user can roll right into the middle of the dome. The rope climber adds additional challenge. The sensory connectors provide auditory and tactile fun.
Swinging is one of the most fun things on a playground and one of the most beneficial for a child's development. The Accessible Swing Seat ensures that children who require postural assistance can swing next to their peers.
Learn more about the Accessible Swing Seat
On the following slides, you will find ideas for inclusive playgrounds. Each meets or exceeds our criteria for a Playworld Inclusive Playground. The criteria is based on the the 8 Keys to Inclusion. The criteria includes a playground:
In any inclusive playground, children get to choose what they want to play on. Some will love to spin, while others don't like spinning. A 10-year old is not going to choose to play in the toddler area. Some go for height. Some children will want to get up high and others will prefer nearer to the ground. There is no perfect height solution for an inclusive playground--but we have many ideas for you.
Using ramps lets children using wheelchairs get up high. In order to go down the slide, the child will need to transfer out of her chair to slide bed. Someone will need to bring her chair back to her.
Sky Tower's Central Tower provides three levels of challenge. A child who can crawl or is just beginning to walk can use the steps can climb all the way up. Adults can easily get inside to help. While the challenging inner climber engages good climbers. Children at the bottom are delighted by the light patterns and music that float downs from the top. Add an Aeroglider or an Accessible Whirl nearby. View the Sky Tower brochure
There are many ways to play on InfiNET for children with various physical abilities. Use the transfer station to explore the different textures and start your journey by stepping into the openings. Then start crawling. Rest along the way. If you are a stronger climber, keep going and try the different activities attached. Roll underneath and grab the rope from your wheelchair. Don't forget to check out the sensory cues and talking tube.
85-page guide offers step-by-step assistance.
Our inclusion training program is unique in the world of outdoor recreation. It is a research-based, in-depth program that offers a real-world grounding in principles based in child development and inclusive best practices. Completion of the on-demand training program allows you to receive the Inclusive Playground Designer certificate. Each of the six sections takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Playworld offers many on-demand CEU courses on inclusion as well as other topics.
Ask your playground representative to send me your design and I will do an in-depth analysis. If it meets all of the inclusion criteria, you will get a full packet of information explaining the inclusive elements of the playground. It is great for fundraising. If it doesn't meet the criteria, I'll provide with ideas to get there.
See a sample certification packet
