Minds On

Playground structures

Parks and playgrounds are often made by putting together many structures for people to play on.

A structure

Something made up of parts that are created for a purpose.

A playground structure may be made up of many objects such as:

  • slides
  • ladders
  • bars
  • steps
  • bridges

These objects may be made of many materials such as:

  • wood
  • metal or
  • plastic

Which materials make up the following playground structures?

For each description, select the corresponding image.

Choose one of the playgrounds from these examples.

What structures do you notice? What do you wonder about the materials used to make these playground structures?

Record your ideas on the computer, on paper, or share with a partner, if possible.

Action

Thinking as a scientist

When you think as a scientist, you start with a wonder or a question.

Can you think of a question that you have about playgrounds?

Your question might be:

  • What makes a playground fun?
  • What types of structures do people enjoy?

What is your question about playgrounds?

Record your question on the computer, on paper, in a recording, or share with a partner, if possible.

Researching

Once you have a question, you can gather ideas. Gathering ideas is also called researching. When you research, you want to make sure that you have a place to gather your ideas.

Survey by noticing and asking

A survey can mean when someone gathers information about a place. It can also mean asking many people the same research question.

Think about a park, school yard, or a community playground. What structures are there? What are they used for?

Record your answers to these questions on the computer, on paper, or share with a partner if possible. You can also complete the Playground Survey in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

  • What is in the playground? Make a list or a drawing.
  • What is the purpose of the structure? How do people use it?
  • What materials do you think are used to make the structure? Wood, plastic, rope, metal or something else?
  • Can the structures be used by everyone?
  • Do you think this playground is safe? (Are the materials smooth? Is the ground flat and smooth on the pathways? Is the ground around the playground soft?)
Playground Survey

Press the Activity button to access the Playground Survey.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Some of the materials used to make structures in playgrounds are found in nature!

  • wood from trees for benches, structures and walkways
  • sand under the playground
  • some playgrounds have grassy areas for playing or grass under the structures

Let’s practise… with a picture!

Explore this park.

A park containing structures climbers, pathways, shaded areas, swings, slides, and benches.

Structures

What structures does this park have?

Check the boxes that appear in the image.

Purpose of structures

What is the purpose of these structures? How do people use these structures?

Record your ideas.

Materials

What materials could be used to make the structures?

Record your ideas.

Press ‘Materials’ to access some possible answers.

  • wood – benches, climber, pathways
  • plastic – slide, bars, climber
  • rope–climbers
  • metal – slide, bars, climber,

It is important that playgrounds are safe for everyone. Do you think that this playground is safe? How do you know?

Press ‘Hint’ to access a hint about playground safety.

Are the materials smooth? Is the ground flat and smooth on the pathways? Is the ground around the playground soft?

Consolidation

Designing a playground

Now that you have researched playgrounds some playgrounds, it is time to design a safe and fun playground of your own.

Scientists use the engineering design process to help them design items such as a playground.


In Science we ask questions to help us figure out what the problem is.

What is the problem?

Press ‘Answer’ to access what the problem is.

I need to make a playground that is safe and fun.

Can all children play?

Consider how all children might play in your playground.

  • Is there fun for everyone?
  • Is there a pathway so that everyone could get to where friends are playing?
  • Are there different ways to get up on a structure (ramps, stairs, slopes)?
  • Are the materials you are using safe?
  • Is the ground around the playground soft and flat?

Planning your playground design

Brainstorming is when you think about ideas like how to solve a problem.

Suggest some design ideas for a new playground. You can record your ideas any way you like:

  • drawing
  • writing
  • audio recording
  • video recording

Make sure that your ideas include:

  • what you want to include
  • why you want to add it
  • the materials you will use

Student Tips

Tip

Remember: you want all people to be able to enjoy themselves and stay safe!

Explore this example design to help you.

This is a drawing of a playground on a piece of paper. The playground has a low plastic climber (only one step with a ramp at one end), with a half tube slide, a bridge that is made of netting with a solid piece in the middle of two sections of climber, a teeter totter and a wooden swing set with one usual swing, one bucket swing and one accessible swing. The ground under the playground is sand but there is a wooden access to the climber and swings for wheelchairs. There are wooden benches, a wood boardwalk beside the playground and a grassy open space. The playground does not have anyone playing in it as it is a design.

Make sure that your new ideas include:

My playground includes a climber, a slide, a bridge, a teeter totter, swings, grass area and a walkway.

I wanted to add these items for people of all ages to play. I wanted to make sure that it was safe for people in wheelchairs too. There are swings for everyone. I wanted a grassy area for people to play in nature. I wanted wooden benches and sand so that I could use materials found in nature.

The materials I used were plastic for the climber (to be smooth and safe), wood for the swing set, walkways, and benches. I used sand and grass for the ground.

Putting our research into action!

You have now…

  • researched other playgrounds
  • surveyed an image of a park and playground and thought about the people who use it
  • thought about ways for all children to play
  • thought about different materials that can be used for play structures
  • explored an example design

It’s time to choose your design.

When you plan something, you think about the steps you have to follow and the materials you will need.

You can create your design on the computer, on paper, or share your design in a recording.

Be sure to include this information in your design:

Make sure that your ideas include:

  • what you want to include
  • why you want to add it
  • the materials you will use

If possible, share your design with a partner.

I can make a difference

It’s important for young learners to share their ideas with adults about how to make your community better. It is also important to make sure that play spaces are welcoming to everyone, and that everyone feels happy and comfortable in them. How else can you help?

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.