Death of the Dodgeball: Recess Equipment 2.0
Remember when a rubber ball was enough to play with before school, during recess and after school – every day? The nature of recess is changing. From jump ropes to hacky sacks to heart monitors, what children use on the playground is vastly different than when I was a kid.
The change in how children interact with playgrounds poses new challenges for playground designers and manufacturers. While we haven’t been able to recreate something as pure and simple as the rubber ball, we have been able to simple modifications to traditional recess equipment in order to make the playground experience more unique, more challenging and more rewarding.
Here are my top five favorite alterations to traditional playground equipment.
The 650 Degree Whirl Slide
It’s a traditional slide with a twist, well, one and three quarters to be exact. Growing up, we had a single, vertical slide on the playground. It was steel, it was straight and there was always a line to use it. The 650 Degree Whirl Slide still draws a crowd and why shouldn’t it? By adding a few twists and turns, we’ve been able to extend the ride.
The Tarzan Maze
Because monkey bars are sooo unidirectional, we developed the Tarzan Maze. This massive structure provides so many more options. In addition, several children can interact on this play component at the same time. Stepping stones in the middle of each trek allow children to rest or change direction. This might be the greatest advance in monkey bar technology.
The Hip Swiveller
This innovation really raises the beam. I mean beam. The Hip Swiveller combines a bridge, a balance beam and an obstacle course in to a single playground component. Guard rails keep the beam safe, much safer than the balance beams I used as a kid. Transforming the Hip Swiveller into a bridge crossing means kids will use it if they want to get from point A to point B in the most efficient manner possible. It’s a great spin a few classic elements that adds some excitement to the playground.
Double Pommel Walk
This is another variation of the bridge that I really enjoy. The Double Pommel Walk consists of two rows of stepping stones chained to the ground below and a support beam above. As the child begins to traverse the structure, the stones shift. The change in footing also separates the bridge requiring a little caution, a lot of balance and creates even more fun as they cross.
The Rock Tunnel Climber
There was a time when anyone wanting to climb onto the play structure he or she had three options. Ladders were boring, but not as boring as steps. Then there was the fireman’s pole, but those were only for the really excellent climbers. While those things still exist in our industry, we are advancing in how we develop climbing structures. One good example is the Rock Tunnel Climber. This play component is set up like giant, jagged steps. Underneath is a small opening that can be crawled under – a perfect escape route for a game of tag.
Innovations in how we improve recess equipment continue everyday. The greater the challenge to provide fun, the more pleasure we get developing exciting new twists on the classics. And hopefully, we’ll be able these play components become classics so that one day we can totally modify and improve them. Or maybe, we’ll get dodgeballs back into the mix. Until then, we’ll keep advancing, keep creating and keep the focus on fitness fun.
