The Playground Equipment Experts

This guide looks at why today could be a great time to make playground plans.

Here at Creative Play, we are specialists in designing, creating and installing the type of playground equipment that offers the very best play experiences on the market, building a unique play area for children to enjoy. We have spent over 30 years perfecting our craft, fuelled by a passion for seeing how high-quality dynamic playground equipment can provide children with an opportunity to maximise their fun, their learning and their safety.

We feel like in many ways we’ve been ahead of the curve, as it’s only in recent years that educators have fully latched onto the wide range of learning and skill development opportunities that exist within play and by using the correct playground equipment. Having specialised in creating and installing bespoke playground areas for schools, parks and local councils around the UK, our team of playground equipment suppliers have extensive understanding of how to design the best playground area for your setting and children, as we have done for so many of our clients.

We’re able to install high-quality playground equipment nationwide, from Liverpool to London, Manchester to Middlesex, with expert installation teams around the country. We’ll ensure that your equipment is built to last and that all of your items are secured to the highest safety standards, with a range of playground surfacing options to offer added fun and safety benefits.

Our stellar range of equipment can also offer a range of sensory play elements, shown to offer a range of developmental benefits and also to promote inclusivity. This is an issue we’re highly passionate about, providing a range of items that can cater to children across a range of ages, backgrounds and special educational needs. We’re able to custom-build the exact playground that will be ideal for the children who will be using it.

Whether you’re looking for climbing frames, swings, sand and water play, sports surfacing, or all of the above, we’re able to provide you with quality options. Our experience allows us to cater to a range of different location and budget sizes, with small playground equipment built for a single child, right up to large play pieces that can cater to tens of children at a time, offering a wonderful range of flexible and engaging play.

Here at Creative Play, we are specialists in all facets of playground equipment, playground surfacing and playground installation. Having spent many years honing our craft, we have created unique playground areas for thousands of clients around the country, with many examples available to look at in the Inspiration section of our website, showcasing all the school playground equipments in exciting playground settings.

Feel free to browse as many as you like; you may even get some ideas for your own playground area! If you’d like further support in that area, one of the services that Creative Play are able to offer is for one of our experts to come out to your site for a free playground consultation. Whether you are looking to rejuvenate an existing area, or start a new playground completely from scratch, our expert can talk to you about your design ideas and help to turn your vision into reality.

We’ll be able to talk you through some of the key items in our range, explaining how different items and surfacing combinations work together to provide the very best play experience for the children who’ll be using it. We’ll be able to talk you through a range of design possibilities to help you get a totally unique option for your setting. It’s this level of personalization that sets our school playground equipment apart from the crowd.

You can get in touch with Creative Play by phone or by email, via the Contact section of our website, where one of our friendly experts will be able to talk to you about your exact playground needs and how we can bring them to life. We love every single playground area we’ve had the pleasure of building, we love speaking to new potential clients about their ideas and how we can bring them to life, and we look forward to building many more playgrounds in the future.

The benefits of outdoor sports and play equipment

In the current climate of COVID-19 lockdown across our nations, with all manner of restrictions and guidelines on what we can and can’t do, outdoor physical activity is playing a pivotal role in the physical and mental wellbeing of many. We thought we’d put together a short summary of five key reasons why finding the right outdoor sports equipment has never been so important.

Safety

While there are many fantastic indoor sports, the truth is that at the current time, it is simply much safer to play outside. With as little as we know for sure about this virus and its impacts, we do know the primary transfer is through droplets, so being outdoors for sport, especially contact sport, is much safer.

Active Lifestyle

We have been stripped of many aspects of our usual lifestyle at the present time, as we each adjust to the ‘new normal’ at the present time. While we don’t know exactly when we’ll be back in cinemas, restaurants and gyms, at least not without a sense of anxiety and additional safety measures, we do know that one thing we can’t afford to sacrifice is an active lifestyle.

Not only does outdoor sport offer physical health benefits, it is also key for mental health and a general sense of wellbeing. So, whether it’s a skipping rope, new running gear, or outdoor gym equipment, there are a range of options to keep an active lifestyle during COVID.

Space

Space is at a premium at the best of times, but especially with current distancing measures, there is so much benefit offered by being able to enjoy sport outdoors. Not just physically, it can also be of great benefit psychologically to be out in an expansive area rather than being stuck within four walls.

Cost of Living

Many of us are feeling additional financial strain at the present time, whether through personal furlough, job loss, reduced income for our business or any other uncertainty. Often, our children won’t understand this fully, so will continue to request entertainment such as video game content purchases and film streaming which can add up rapidly if happening on a daily basis. Finding a simple but enjoyable outdoor sports option not only offers physical health benefits, it can also help with financial health.

Mental Health

As mentioned above in the Space section, there are a range of psychological benefits offered by outdoor sport and playground equipment at the best of times, but in the present moment of being so restricted and locked down, the ability to get outside and be physically active can have exponential benefits for mental health.

Steps to planning your new Playground and playground equipment

Planning for a new playground can take a long time, from inclusion on your school development plan and allocation of budget right through to completion of the works can often take 3 – 6 months.

As you can see the process can be long, consultative and with many changes to the design, it all depends on the complexity, size of budget and how many people want to be involved in the process.
Many schools look to have their new playground equipment projects installed over the summer holidays and as such there is always increased demand for summer holiday installation with many playground equipment installation companies being ‘full’ for summer by the end of May.
The impact of Covid-19

Usual planning for new playground projects starts in February or March once new budgets are on the horizon however this year Covid-19 changed everyone’s focus (understandably!) and many schools are behind on planning for new capital expenditure projects for this year.

Some schools have also had reduced revenue from wraparound care, facility hire-outs, PTA activity and summer fundraising events.

Covid-19 has impacted on the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of children throughout the UK who have missed the benefits of being at school, playing with friends and being physically active, with access to an engaging play area.

The benefits of play are undisputed and what better way to welcome children back to the school (when they are safely allowed to return) than with a brand-new playground ready to promote social interaction and physical development.

Sport England’s recent ‘Active Lives Children and Young People Survey’ highlights that only 40% of children are getting at least 30 minutes of the recommended activity at school. 84% of that is attributed to ‘active play’.

A new school playground has never been so important!

How can Creative Play Help?

We have changed several the ways we operate to facilitate quicker, contactless processes to support our customers, making this a great time to start your playground project.

Virtual and Contactless Consultations, Surveys and even Installations!

Virtual consultations via phone or video conference are a great way of quickly starting your playground project, during a short 20 minute conversation we can gather the majority of the information needed to quote for your new project – using tools such as Google Earth we can review the size of the space available.

70% of outdoor playground equipment projects can be started using a virtual consultation rather than an onsite meeting.

Where the project is particularly complex or the area is difficult to asses digitally, it may be necessary to carry out an on-site consultation. This can be carried out in a contactless manner and ensuring the safety and welfare of everyone involved.

To book a virtual consultation please email us at [email protected]

The whole playground development, manufacturing and installation process can be carried out in a safe, contactless manner.

Increased Manufacturing and Installation Resources

Due to the impact of COVID-19, many schools will be behind on plans to develop their outdoor learning environments. As such we have increased capacity within our factory to facilitate improved lead times.

Additionally, we have increased the number of specialist installation companies available to install your playground project.

We will always do everything possible to speed up the process and shorten lead times as we know the focus is likely to still be on a summer holiday installation.

Supply Only Manufacturing

Many of our playground equipment options are available on a supply only basis at a much shorter lead time than a full manufacturing and installation service.

Purchasing products on a supply only basis can save up to 40% on the purchase price!

All products come with detailed installation instructions and most Premises Managers, Caretakers or Parents who are used to DIY projects would be able to carry out the installation.

Supply only special offer on over 150 products will be launched in early May, contact us now to learn more!

Offering Best Value and discounted prices

We understand that school budgets will have taken a hit because of the extra pressures caused by the Covid-19 crisis and that is why we are committed to providing best value tour customers.

As a manufacturer (as opposed to a middleman distributor) we can offer some of the best prices available. On top of that we currently have a number of excellent special offers on our most popular playground equipment products.

Creative play also offers a price guarantee – we will beat any comparable price! Simply send us a copy of an alternative quotation you have received, and we will beat it with comparable or better products.

As a trusted education supplier for more than 30 years, Creative Play is committed to providing schools with the highest quality, best value playground equipment available.

So there really has never been a better time to start developing your school’s outdoor playground facilities. We’d love to talk to you about your plans and how we can support you to make them a reality.

Funding for School Playground Equipment

Collectively, children spend the majority of their early lives in school. Whether their time is spent learning, socialising or building upon their imagination, it is a place where long lasting memories are made, so it is crucial that their environment is happy, exciting and most importantly, safe.

At Creative Play, we provide just that – outdoor playground equipment items for schools that not only evoke fun and imagination, but also form a safe and secure area in which energy can be released at its full capacity without any hiccups.

Here at Creative Play, we have been providing high-quality outdoor playground equipment for schools since 1991 and have delivered school play equipment to numerous schools up and down the country. We understand the pressure felt when first exploring how to get a new playground for your school. Many daunting questions fall into the foreground, mainly surrounding the matter of costs and funding.

Acquiring funding for school playgrounds and school play equipment can be a venture within itself and there are many routes you can take. Creative Play like to support our customers every step of the way. So, without further ado, we would like to present this short funding guide which will hopefully shed some light on the sometimes unnerving task of securing funding for school playground equipment.

What is the best way to fund a new school playground?

Exploring Fundraising Options

As an institution already full of willing and enthusiastic occupants, funding for school playgrounds via fundraising is an option that will most likely be a part of your plans. Even if you are looking for outside funding, raising a portion of the total cost yourself is still helpful.

Although a concept that many schools will find second nature, it is always good to have a clear idea on what kind of fundraiser is best suited for funding school playground equipment, as well as finding the most appropriate way to reach your target.

Creative Play are known for creating environments which encourage imaginative play, games and team building. With all this in mind, specific fundraisers can be built around these initiatives to ensure everyone can actively contribute in reaching the desired end result. The following are some possible fundraising ideas that could help provide funding for school playgrounds:

• Sponsored Whole School Sports Day
• Sponsored Parent/Teacher Sports Day
• Design your dream Creative Play Playground (Pay Per entry)
• Pupil Run Summer Fair (Paid Entry)

2. Consider a Grant

Nevertheless, Creative Play are especially aware of the time and effort involved with fundraisers, as well as the uncertainty on how much will be raised. When looking to fund new school playground equipment, one alternative could be applying for a grant. This would be an ideal way, if accepted, of getting the specific funds you need for your new school playground equipment. There are many organisations that may financially support your Creative Play venture through non-repayable funds, as long as you have a well thought out and crafted application. Some examples of helpful organizations are:

• Awards for All (National Lottery Awards)
• Grants4School
• OneFamily Foundation
• Educational Play Environments
• How do I build an effective Grant Application?

The best place to start with your grant application is making sure that you have a strong and solid proposal. Ensure your ideas are clear, concise and most importantly; reasonable. It bodes well to portray how funding for your school playground would benefit you and your school. For example, this may include points such as:

• The vital importance of having a safe yet fun place for school children
• Ensuring a healthy balance of work and play
• How many young people would benefit from using the area each week

In addition, as well as speaking personally and narratively, it will do well to mention some quantitative evidence just to support and solidify your application further, for example how many pupil hours would be provided each year by each pound awarded by funders. It may seem obvious, but also make sure your application is presented using good English and a good structure, allowing it to be clearly understood.

Be positive, have confidence, have success in mind and your application will surely reflect that.

How can Creative Play help your playground funding application?

Being in a business that relies on teamwork and that is so involved in community spirit, we believe it is only right that you are given full support by our team at Creative Play wherever possible throughout your journey. From browsing, funding, ordering and installing. While we don’t offer funding ourselves, we’re happy to provide information on playground options that may help to aid your funding efforts.

Our friendly and helpful expert staff are on the other end of a telephone call, email or social media message to answer any questions, queries or even to offer advice where we can on how to get a new playground for your school at a realistic budget and with equipment that will provide safe use and lasting quality.

If you require further help with your project, don’t fret. Creative Play offer a completely free playground consultation in order to get a clear vision of your plans, your location and its possibilities. Our support will turn this somewhat complex task into an easy and fun project that everyone can get involved in.

With 30 years of providing school play equipment, we proudly hold a vast range of different equipment at various sizes and budgets so you are sure to find one that fits you. On our easy to use website, you are free to browse our range with ease, along with a few of our success stories accompanied with pictures of our products and the smiling faces of those we have provided with our services – just so you can have a taste of what you can expect if you decide to work with Creative Play.

We hope that this funding guide has shed some light on queries you may have had about your first steps in how to get a new playground for your school. Creative Play find real joy in providing outdoor playground equipment for schools, bringing fun learning opportunities into the lives of students, and playing a part in their fondest school memories.

You can get in touch by phone on 01244 752654, email on [email protected], as well as via our online web form and various social media profiles, all listed on our Contact page. The team here at Creative Play ready to hear from you and help you move closer to your dream playground.

Guide to Creating your Dream Playground

For children, the most memorable outdoor play equipment are the ones that inspire creativity and imagination. They’re full of vibrant and exciting equipment pieces that encourage children to take risks and learn about the world around them. Whether your dream playground equipment includes swings, springs or sails, it can always be brought to life with a coherent concept and a clear design.

If you’ve ever thought about creating a truly extraordinary playground that the children at your facility can benefit from, then take a look at these tips from our playground experts.

1. Embrace the risk factor

Children use play to test their own limits and practice new skills until they have mastered them. Far from being dangerous, your dream playground should be full of visible and manageable risks that encourage children to leave their comfort zone and explore their limits.

Trim Trails are ideal for this sort of play since they encourage children to assess potential risks for themselves. With regular use, a climbing frame will enable children to develop their upper body and build grip and strength. For younger children, stepping stones and balance beams are more suited for encouraging exploration.

 2. Create a sense of place

Playgrounds without a sense of place can look tend to look generic. If you want to design a playground that’s unlike anything else, then choose a design that speaks to the culture, location and ‘spirit’ of your community. It could be a castle, a train, a pirate ship or a fire engine – anything that gives the children using it a sense of belonging and encourages them to play out a story will work.

As skilled playground equipment suppliers, our team can help you to build a dream playground that fires up children’s imaginations and give them a playful insight into the adult world. Just take a look at our selection of Role Play playground items for some inspiration.

3. Work with nature

For children, the best playgrounds are the ones provided by nature. Consider how you can make the most of the natural elements that already exist in your space by incorporating them into your playground design.Natural materials like tree stumps, large rocks and grassy mounds are great for climbing on, while tall grasses and scented flowers can make really stimulating sensory additions that children will love to touch, smell and listen to. Our artificial grass Mound Tunnels will add a multi-dimensional element to any play space whilst maintaining a natural look and feel.

4. Dens and playhouses

There’s nothing more inviting than a secret hideout! Incorporating shielded areas into your playground will give the children at your facility space to engage in unstructured play, either on their own or as part of a group. Dens and fenced areas provide children with the chance to invent their own games and rules, completely free from the watch of adults. Our Timber Playhouse Arcs have proven to be a great place for children get lost in their own world.

5. Create zones for different types of play

Rather than creating a playground with one dominant structure, you should separate the spaces in your setting by energy levels to cater to the needs of each child. For example, a corner with a slide and rope swing might be energetic and loud, while another corner with a garden and bench might inspire more quiet reflection.Our dynamic range of Wetpour Safety Surfacing is perfect for splitting up zones for each activity. We created this pretend road design for Cambian Autism Services in Hampshire –  it proved to be ideal for encouraging imaginative play and increasing the children’s physical activity.

The Creative Play team have built hundreds of dynamic playgrounds for venues all over the UK.

This high level of expertise has made us one of the leading playground equipment suppliers.

If you’re thinking about turning a dream playground into reality, then our expert team can help you out. We’re able to visit your facility for a free playground consultation and listen to your design requirements before helping you to choose the perfect combination of playground items for your facility. Get in touch with our team today by email: [email protected] or give us a call on 01244 375627. You can also fill out a quick contact form on our website and we’ll be in touch!