Inclusive Playground Markings for SEND Schools
Updated on: October 29, 2025
At Fun & Active Playgrounds, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn and explore in a safe and engaging environment. For SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools, inclusive playground markings can play a crucial role in supporting learning, communication and social interaction.
We’ve developed a range of accessible and engaging playground markings, including our innovative Widgit Symbol Markings, designed specifically to support children with diverse needs.
Discover the importance of inclusive playgrounds and explore our vast collection of inclusive playground markings for SEND schools that are suitable for a range of different ages and needs.
The Importance of Inclusive Playground Markings for SEND Schools
For children with SEND, traditional playground games may not always be accessible. Inclusive playground markings help bridge this gap by providing structured, visually engaging activities that support both physical and cognitive development. These markings can enhance:
Communication: Symbols and visual cues help non-verbal or speech-delayed children engage with play.
Motor Skills: Activities like trails and movement-based games promote co-ordination and balance.
Social Interaction: Designed to encourage teamwork and participation in a supportive way.
Independent Play: Clearly marked activities allow children to engage at their own pace and comfort level.
Educational Playground Markings
We have a variety of different playground markings for schools that help support mathematics, reading, writing, and communication. Our Makaton Alphabet uses different colours and symbols to learn how to sign each letter from A to Z. This can also be created for British Sign Language.
For learning numbers and the letters of the alphabet, introduce your pupils to our friendly playground characters – the snake, the caterpillar or the dragon. The colours on the designs can be simplified to include a combination of just two alternating colours to make for a more calming and less stimulating environment.
Phonics playground markings are perfect for developing literacy skills such as reading and writing, helping to achieve the aims of the recent Schools White Paper. Our Phonics Pond and Elephant Phonics use a combination of two or three colours and can be used for all phases. Plus, each sound can be spaced out further to allow for different physical abilities.
Meanwhile, our Number Ladder and Number Grids are great for practising counting and improving mathematics. These designs can also be adapted by using one or two colours. As well as this, we can widen the squares to make them accessible for wheelchair users too.
Widgit Symbol Playground Markings
Our exclusive Widgit Symbol playground markings are designed to create an inclusive and engaging play environment for children of all abilities. Using Widgit’s universally recognised symbols, these markings support children with communication difficulties, autism, learning disabilities and speech impairment. For over 40 years, Widgit has been a leader in visual communication, and we are thrilled to bring their expertise into outdoor learning and play spaces across the UK.
We have a wide range of Widgit symbols available, that provide simple, easy-to-follow movement commands such as “Jump”, “Catch” and “Run”. These markings encourage physical activity in a fun and accessible way, helping children develop coordination, balance and confidence in movement. The clear visual cues make it easy for all children, regardless of their communication abilities, to understand and participate in the activity.
For schools looking to introduce more structure to playtime, we offer Widgit markings that use visual cues to guide children through different playground activities, such as “Dance”, “Hopscotch” and “Throw’, these of which can all be positioned around many of our vibrant and fun playground games. Routine and structure can be especially beneficial for children with autism and other communication challenges, making the playground a more welcoming and manageable space.
Active Playground Markings
With any playground marking it’s important to make it clear how to use it. This is particularly key when it involves more physical activity. Our wide range of hopscotch playground markings can be redesigned to include less colours if required, as well as footprints so that the children know exactly how to play and where to stand.
Trail playground markings are some of our most popular designs and it’s easy to see why. They’re packed with lots of different activities and movements, some with different themes to make for an exciting playground game. Not only do the trails provide entertainment during break times, but they also encourage children to be active.
Mindfulness Playground Markings
Mental health is just as important as physical health, as happy children are more likely to demonstrate good behaviour, which has a direct impact on students’ attendance and attainment. This is also highlighted in the Government’s Schools White Paper.
To offer a helping hand in promoting mindfulness, we can create bespoke playground markings such as friendship stops. These are great for encouraging children to support each other, share their worries, and make new friends.
We also have a ‘Today I’m Feeling’ design to help children communicate their emotions. For children with special educational needs, 8 emotions might be too many so we can simplify this to 5 emotions – happy, sad, calm, angry, and scared. We can use colours for each emotion using the well-known Colour Monster Book to ensure each one is recognisable.
Our playground markings can be used for different age groups, different levels of capabilities and different physical abilities; we want to ensure every child has equal opportunities. If there are any specific designs that you would like for your SEND school, please contact our friendly team of playground experts for more details or a playground quote.
