Check #1 - Match the Equipment to Your Students' Ages

Age suitability comes first, because equipment designed for older children can be too challenging for younger ones, and the reverse leaves older students bored. Start by listing the grades that will use the playground and when.

An elementary school might have kindergarten students and fifth graders sharing the same space at different times of day. In that case, consider separate areas for younger and older children, divided by benches, plantings or a path, so older students running between activities don't collide with smaller ones.

Ask manufacturers which age range each structure is designed for, and look for platform heights, step spacing and climbing challenges that match your students. Write down the age range for each area before you look at a single catalog.

Check #2 - Plan for Accessibility From the Start

An accessible playground lets every student play alongside their classmates, and it's far easier to plan from the start than to add later. Think about students who use wheelchairs or walkers, students with sensory needs and those who find crowded spaces difficult.

In the US, the Access Board's guide to the ADA play area requirements explains that at least one of each type of play component provided at ground level must be on the accessible route. That route also has to reach the equipment from the school, so check the path from the building door to the playground, not just the play structure itself.

Talk to your special education team and occupational therapist early. They know which play experiences your students need, such as swinging, spinning or quiet spaces, and they can help you judge whether a design works in practice, not only on paper.

Check #3 - Measure the Space You Actually Have

Available space decides what will fit, and the equipment's footprint is only part of it. Every structure needs clear space around it for children to land and run safely, and that zone is often much larger than the structure.

Measure the whole area, then mark fences, trees, paths, drains and doors on a simple sketch. When you compare products, look for the space each piece needs once installed rather than the size of the structure alone. Listings of school playground equipment from WillyGoat, for instance, show the installed perimeter needed for each piece. Mark that perimeter on the ground with cones or string before you commit, and walk around it with a colleague to check it clears paths and doors.

Think about sun too. A playground in full sun all afternoon can get uncomfortably hot, so note where shade falls at recess and lunchtime.

Check #4 - Budget for Protective Surfacing

Protective surfacing under and around equipment is one of the most important safety decisions you'll make, and it needs its own line in the budget. Falls are a common cause of playground injuries, and the right surface helps cushion them.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook is clear that hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt should never be directly under playground equipment. It also says grass and dirt don't count as protective surfacing, because wear and weather reduce how well they absorb impact.

Loose-Fill Materials

Loose-fill options include:

• Engineered wood fiber

• Wood mulch or wood chips

• Sand or pea gravel

• Shredded or recycled rubber mulch

Loose fill is usually cheaper to install but needs regular raking and topping up, because children push it away from slide exits and swing areas.

Unitary Surfaces

Poured rubber and rubber tiles cost more to install but need less day-to-day attention. They also make it easier for wheelchair users to move around the play area. Ask each supplier for the fall height of every structure so the surfacing you choose is suitable for it.

Alt text: Teacher watching elementary students play tag on a school field at recess

Check #5 - Make Sure Staff Can Supervise It

Supervision works best when staff can see the whole playground from a few spots. Tall solid panels, tunnels and tight corners can hide children from view, which makes it harder to spot problems early.

Walk the site with the staff who'll be on recess duty. Ask where they'd stand, what they could see from there and where children might be out of sight. Design choices such as open platforms, see-through panels and clear paths between areas make their job easier.

Think about how many students will be outside at once. A playground that's crowded at lunchtime can be harder to supervise than the plans suggest.

Check #6 - Plan for Ongoing Maintenance

Maintenance keeps a playground safe long after the ribbon cutting, so plan who will do it and how often before you buy. Equipment that's hard to inspect or repair tends to be neglected.

Agree on a simple inspection routine with your facilities team. Regular checks should cover:

• Loose or missing bolts and caps

• Cracks, rust or sharp edges

• Worn chains, ropes and swing seats

• Surfacing that has thinned or moved

• Trash, glass or other debris

Ask each supplier what the warranty covers and how easy it is to get replacement parts. Keep a written inspection log with dates, findings and repairs, so problems are tracked rather than forgotten.

Turn Your Six Checks Into a Brief This Term

Write one page that sets out your age ranges, accessibility needs, measured space, surfacing plan, supervision needs and maintenance plan. Then give your budget separate lines for equipment, surfacing, borders, installation and future repairs, and send the same brief to every supplier so their quotes are easy to compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What surfacing is safe under school playground equipment?

Loose-fill materials such as engineered wood fiber, wood mulch, sand or rubber mulch, or unitary surfaces such as poured rubber and rubber tiles. Concrete and asphalt should never be directly under equipment, and grass and dirt don't count as protective surfacing.

Does a school playground need to be accessible?

In the US, at least one of each type of ground-level play component must be on the accessible route. Involve your special education team early to plan for every student.

What should be included in a playground equipment budget?

Include separate lines for equipment, surfacing, borders, installation and future repairs. Send the same brief to every supplier so the quotes are easy to compare.