Playground activities

This section includes indoor and outdoor play and playground equipment.

Outdoor adventure and modular playground structures are made of plastic or wooden units which can be used individually, or assembled to form large play structures. They have special features for children with limited mobility or partial sight. They combine activity areas with ladders, frames, tunnels, theme houses and interchangeable activity and tactile panels. Some of the items (e.g. slides, ramps and bridges) are made double width, so that children can be accompanied by a helper to facilitate and physically support them to use the playground equipment.

Swings, hammocks, rockers and spinners are often used for therapy purposes to develop the balance and posture of children in different positions. Specialist knowledge is required however, to prevent over stimulation. The swings come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be either fixed to the ceiling or used with a gantry frame. The rockers enable children to rock whilst sitting in a supported position. Two children are usually required to maintain the rocking movement. They can be useful for children whose legs push tightly together and for developing sitting balance, posture and head control.

Outdoor swings and rockers may be used to develop balance reactions and postural control. Included are wheelchair accessible swings and specialised swing seats which may have an integral pommel, footrest and an adjustable harness. Seat heights and angles can often be adjusted on these swings. Some of the swings have reduced side-to-side motion and twisting to give a stable and gently swinging platform. Several seats allow children to swing whilst in a lying or reclined position.