Top Playground Ideas To Support Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
Updated on: July 5, 2023
For some children the unstructured nature of outdoor play makes the playground an intimidating space. That’s why it’s so important any playground ideas for children includes plans to support children’s emotional wellbeing.
Children who feel anxious, lonely, angry, or unsupported won’t reap the many benefits of outdoor play. In turn, the consequences will play out in ways which affect the play and learning of both peers and staff.
We often forget how powerful play is. The right of every child to enjoy quality play is etched into global legislation via Article 31 of The UN Convention on The Rights of The Child.
Quality Play
Quality play experiences build children’s physical and emotional health. They aid the development of cognitive skills, social skills, confidence, resilience and so much more.
Yet we can’t assume children will develop these skills themselves. Instead, we need to incorporate a range of playground ideas into play space designs, including those that support the development of emotional wellbeing.
Let’s take a closer look at how quality outdoor play boosts children’s emotional wellbeing and some top playground ideas that boost emotional and mental health.
How outdoor play boosts children’s emotional wellbeing
1. Promotes Creativity
There’s so much inspiration to be found in the outside world. Whether children are exploring natural materials, observing all the sensory stimuli that exist in the outdoors, enjoying the space or engaging with play equipment, the outdoor world is a place of enquiry, investigation, joy, and wonder.
Children are free to indulge their curiosity in whichever way they choose, leaving plenty of room to enjoy a wide range of creative play. The opportunities to indulge true creative thinking during the school day are less than we would like so the freedom of the playground is essential for children’s self expression.
Adding variety to the day whilst giving children space to exercise new areas of their mind, outdoor play is vital for mental health and happiness.
2. Supports Imaginative Play
Similarly, the playground provides so much support for imaginative play. From innovative play equipment to fascinating natural phenomena, children’s imaginations are unleashed in the outdoor world.
Imaginary games, made-up worlds, and new ways to play mean there’s so much room for fun, imaginative play outside.
3. Builds Social Skills
From the freedom to talk and make friends to the challenges of learning how to take turns, co-operate and say sorry, children build a wide range of social skills on the playground.
Peer-led play and a peer-heavy environment mean children have to exercise attributes such as empathy, respect for others, care and thoughtfulness. Each interaction is an important opportunity to build vital friendship skills we use for the rest of our lives.
We know socialisation and friendships play an important role in mental health and happiness so it’s essential children have the space to develop these skills.
4. Natural Vitality
The natural world is full of organic vitamins and benefits that help us remain healthy and well.
For example, plenty of sunlight and fresh air may make you more likely to get a good night’s sleep. Sunlight helps to keep your body clock in check whilst fresh air ensures you get plenty of oxygen.
Sunlight is also a good source of vitamin D, known to activate the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a powerful hormone that can help us to feel happier, sleep better, retain information, and regulate behaviour.
Needless to say, outdoor play has the potential to make a child’s day more enjoyable.
5. Release Emotions
Free from the boundaries and pressures of the classroom, in the playground children can release their emotions in any way they choose. From laughter to loud voices, hugs, skips, running and screaming, the liberation of pent-up emotion is critical for mental health.
We all need time built into any schedule for relaxation and the playground is the designated place for this in the school day. Outside, children can forget all that has happened and be carefree again.
When the bell rings, children are refreshed, relaxed, re-awakened and ready to learn.
6. Develop Problem-Solving Skills
The open-ended nature of play means pupils can develop a vast range of problem-solving skills during outdoor activities. From analysis to relationships, navigation, creativity and solution-finding, unstructured play is essential for the development of a wide range of cognitive thinking.
Without this time to really engage our brains, we’ll become stifled, frustrated, and restricted with only a fraction of our mind in use.
7. Indulge In True Fun
And so, with so many aspects of our mind, body, and soul free to exercise full potential, the outdoor playground is a place of unfiltered joy – a characteristic at the very heart of children’s emotional wellbeing.
Top Playground Markings To Support Children’s Emotional Wellbeing
As a top playground supplier to schools and other play spaces across the UK, children’s wellbeing is of great importance to us. Let’s take a look at some of our top playground markings to support children’s emotional wellbeing.
1. Mirror Me
There are lots of reasons why children may need assistance with their emotional wellbeing. From releasing pent-up feelings in a calm way to the confidence to interact with peers, Mirror Me is a great school playground idea to support a diverse range of children.
Combining Simon Says with a dance mat-style design, children will find the game pleasingly familiar. For Mirror Me the only demand is to copy, so anyone can play.
Clearly marked places for each player ensure there are no arguments about how many can play or who is standing where. The mirror me floor instruction demonstrates what children should do whilst the coloured spots make the game accessible to all.
As a permanent playground fixture, the Mirror Me marking creates a safe space where children know they can have fun and meet other children without the pressure of having to know what to play.
We also have Dance with Me playground markings, but all of our playground ideas are available for customisation. At Fun & Active Playgrounds, we believe you know your community best. You can personalise any design from our collection – you may even want to involve a group of children in the design process.
2. Running Track Playground Marking
For some children running all over the playground is an intimidating thought. For others, the sheer expanse of space provides a little more freedom than they can handle safely!
The running track is a great solution because it’s discreet enough to satisfy the needs of children who lack the confidence to get involved in larger group activities. At the same time, the running track provides an appealing place for other types of pupils to sprint freely without bumping into their peers.
The four 25m tracks give pupils plenty of room to get their hearts pumping whilst discovering how much their bodies can do! For cardio exercise to release all repressed feelings and get the body moving, running tracks are a great playground idea for schools.
Working side by side, children will begin to interact and motivate each other naturally. Meanwhile, the compact track markings take up little playground space whilst delivering a fun outdoor activity a diverse range of children will enjoy.
For a themed alternative, our activity trails offer a similar experience. Aimed at younger pupils, these markings also allow children to enjoy cardio exercise in a small space. Designed in line with a theme pupils will find appealing, children can hop, skip, run and jump along the trail.
3. Active Spot Circuit Playground Marking
For many children, not knowing what to do is part of the overwhelm they feel on the playground. For others it’s the many different rules for interactions with peers. The Active Spot Circuit is a great idea for both groups of children. Each circle tells and shows children exactly what they should do. The circular design means the activity stops when children are ready.
Each bright design is made from robust thermoplastic.
Thermoplastic playground markings are superior grade markings that offer superb performance. Our thermoplastic markings won’t flake or fade and are safe for use all year round. Lasting up to 10 times longer than traditional playground markings, our thermoplastic playground markings deliver an impressive return on investment.
4. Snakes and Ladders
Lots of children don’t get to play board games with adults at home. If more adults realised how many social and emotional skills children can learn from popular board games, they might make a bigger effort to play them.
Turn-taking, managing disappointment, resilience, perseverance and problem-solving are just some of the many ways board games can help to develop children’s emotional wellbeing. That’s why we’ve included a range of playground designs based on much-loved board games in our collection.
5. Friendship Stop
Have you thought about including a friendship stop?
Our cheerful, multi-coloured rainbow marking can give nervous children a friendly welcome to the school playground. Customise the rainbow in any way you choose or go one step further and turn it into a friendship stop. You could even pair it with our friendship bench.
Friendship stops can provide a calming support for weary children who need some help with socialising on the playground. Open to use by any children, whether it’s a temporary falling out, one-off absence of usual playmates or a struggle with feeling comfortable with unstructured play, at the playground stop children find support in the form of peers or staff, ready to help.
6. Today I’m Feeling
Whether children use Today I’m Feeling with peers or staff, this playground marking provides powerful support with communication of feelings. Bright, clear, and recognisable faces help children to name and express any emotions they wish.
By seeing the names of feelings that match different faces, children will quickly learn how to name common emotions they feel. The familiar circular design and faces big enough to stand on leave every option open for how children and staff choose to interact with the design.
With emotional wellbeing an important part of a happy school day yet so little time in a class schedule for it, having this resource on the playground is invaluable. Support staff and learning mentors can easily make use of the marking during lesson time, providing insightful opportunities for one to one and group work with children.
Browse all these and more in our exciting collection now.
Jess Sparks
Jess is deeply committed to supporting our mission of positively impacting UK outdoor play environments to promote healthy lifestyles in children.
With a CIM Level 6 Diploma in Sustainable Marketing, Jess channels her passion for sustainability into her marketing role, using her skills to promote eco-conscious practices and raise awareness for our initiatives.
Jess’ experience within the industry is instrumental in driving engagement and supporting connections with those who require ultra-durable, high-grade playground markings both locally and internationally.