For many students, the playground is their favourite place at school.
Much more than just a place to play, playgrounds provide opportunities for ākonga to explore the natural environment, develop social connections, enjoy some fresh air and sunlight, and move their bodies.
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Designing or upgrading a school playground requires thoughtful planning to make sure it is safe, inclusive, and engaging for students of all ages and abilities.
Design details
Playground design will largely be dictated by your student population, and equipment selection should be appropriate for their age and ability. Small slides, low climbing frames and monkey bars might be appropriate for young students, while larger climbing structures and fitness equipment might be well-suited to older students.
Your playground should also encourage a range of different play, including physical, imaginative and creative play. Sensory items like different textures, and elements that make noise are useful to include.
Before you start building your playground, make sure you’ve considered anything on the site which might impact your playground. Large trees that might drop branches and leaves, how water will run through and drain from the playground, and the type of soil the site is on might all impact the construction.
The broader area around your playground should also be worked into plans. To ensure accessibility for all users, wide, even paths and ramps are a good choice. Water fountains and bubblers, rubbish bins, and covered seating areas might also make your playground more user friendly.
Larissa Rose from Park Supplies & Playgrounds outlined five crucial elements that contribute to an engaging play experience:
“Inclusive capacity: A vibrant play space welcomes everyone. In a bustling school environment, it’s essential to design for diverse play styles and group sizes, making sure that no one feels left out. This inclusive capacity encourages social interaction and a sense of belonging.
“Dynamic play experiences: Variety is the spice of play! Offering a range of play experiences is key to maintaining children’s interest. Avoid repetitive or redundant options and thoughtfully consider what’s already available within the school. This ensures that the play space offers fresh and exciting challenges.
“Irresistible appeal: A truly effective play space has an undeniable “wow” factor—something that immediately draws children in. This can be achieved through imaginative design, vibrant colours, engaging themes, or intriguing topography. The goal is to create a space that sparks curiosity and promises adventure.
“Sustained engagement: Attracting children is just the first step; the real magic lies in holding their attention. Experiences that encourage social interaction and develop motor skills are particularly effective at keeping children engaged for longer periods. Think about elements that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and physical activity.
“Open-ended exploration: The best play spaces invite children to explore and discover. Equipment that supports diverse and unexpected uses encourages creativity and imagination. When children can find new ways to interact with the space, they become active participants in shaping their own play experiences, leading to greater engagement and enjoyment.”
Natural experiences
Recent years have seen a trend toward nature play and loose parts play. Nature play, as the name suggests, involves incorporating natural elements into play. Consider areas in your playground that might be suitable to add swings and ropes into trees, rock gardens and balance logs, sandpits, mud kitchens, and other features which take advantage of the natural landscape.
Loose parts play means providing loose items for children to play with however they choose. Old tyres, logs and rocks may be incorporated into nature play areas. Foam blocks, giant jigsaw pieces, hoops and recycled items can also be used. Check with local businesses to see if they have any items suitable for use. This type of play encourages children to use their imagination and engage in unstructured play.
Lara Croll from Playscape said a link to nature in children’s playspaces helps them feel more connected to the world around them. “Being immersed in nature has shown to help soothe and calm children with the environment helping to regulate emotions and behaviour. A natural playspace can also create a canvas for imagination to run wild, encouraging discovery and explorative play.
“From sand and waterplay, through to softening areas with planting, and creating playful pockets with natural materials, there are plenty of ways we can weave in natural elements while maintaining a safe, functional and low maintenance playground design,” Ms Croll said.
Many factors will influence the choice of elements in a playground, including the age of the children. “While using equipment that promotes upper body development, it’s also important to create an environment with elements that encourage curiosity and open-ended play.”
When designing a playground, Ms Croll encourages schools to think long term. “Is your school likely to grow? It may be beneficial to look at how this playground may expand over time and create a masterplan to cater for a growing population. We also think play doesn’t stop at the playground. We’re big advocates of creating playful pockets around a school.”
Safety measures
Safety is always a top priority for schools and should be front of mind when building or upgrading a playground. The Ministry of Education provides guidelines for schools to ensure playgrounds are safe, including minimum standards for flooring and safety surfaces. Ensure your safety surfaces are supplied and installed by a reputable company, and that all necessary certifications are provided to the school. Any damage to safety surfaces should be promptly attended to, to mitigate safety concerns and stop the damage from becoming worse.
Michael Klaja from Reharvest said safety is always paramount at schools, particularly around playgrounds. “Make sure the product you choose as a floor covering meets safety standards, and has been through rigorous testing.
“Even with safety measures in place and appropriate supervision, children may sometimes fall off equipment. This means it is important to have a floor that will cushion falls. A safety surface that has been impact tested to at least three metres will ensure minimal impact to the child,” Mr Klaja said.
“Everyone must be able to use outdoor spaces, including students or teachers with different mobility needs. Look for a mulch that interlocks so the area can be safely accessed by wheelchairs.
“Using a mulch made from recycled product is a sustainable solution, and will reduce your school’s environmental impact.”
Justin Hadley, NZ North Sales Manager at Matta Products said safety surfacing is essential in every school playground, not just for compliance with New Zealand regulations but to reduce the risk of head trauma. “Falls are inevitable in active play, but the right surface can significantly minimise impact and improve outcomes. Beyond safety, high-quality surfacing promotes greater outdoor activity. If children feel safe in their environment, they are more likely to engage in energetic, exploratory play, which is crucial for their physical and social development.
“Equally important is ensuring that playgrounds are accessible to all students, including those with mobility considerations,” Mr Handley said. “Where budgets allow, selecting disability accessible surfacing ensures clear entry and exit points around equipment. However, accessibility goes beyond the surface itself. Pathways, ramps, and inclusive play equipment should be integrated into the overall design to create an environment where every child can participate fully.
“When planning a playground, schools should factor in not just the initial purchase price but the long-term cost of maintenance and durability. Understanding fall height requirements based on chosen equipment is crucial, as is considering the sustainability of materials—where they come from and how they are managed at end of life.
“Finally, schools should scrutinise warranties to avoid unexpected limitations. By carefully considering these factors, schools can create playgrounds that are not only safe and compliant but also inclusive and sustainable, ensuring a richer play experience for all students.”
