Best Playground Equipment For KS1
Updated on: January 22, 2024
There’s an enormous range of apparatus on the market for dedicated play spaces so you need to ensure what you choose really is the best playground equipment for KS1.
KS1 is an important stage in children’s development and outdoor apparatus have a big role to play in helping children progress their skills.
From self-belief to imaginative thinking, problem-solving and balance children can grow so many skills if they have good-quality equipment to play with.
What to look for when choosing playground equipment
Playgrounds are one of the few spaces where children can let loose without restriction so playground equipment for KS1 needs to be extremely well-made.
A dedicated playground equipment supplier, like us here at Fun & Active Playgrounds, will approach the design of your apparatus with the extra level of detail and attention necessary for children’s playground resources.
The best playground equipment for KS1 needs to be built to withstand irreverent daily use! Children will be rough, inquisitive, and adventurous so choose apparatus that will be robust and long-lasting.
At Fun & Active Playgrounds, you can be sure all of our apparatus is also designed to be safe. Safety is so important for children’s play spaces. Whether school or park, staff and parents or carers should be able to trust that children can play without the risk of harm.
Whether it’s ensuring every corner has rounded edges or choosing materials that won’t weaken, crack or warp over time, we guarantee every piece of equipment we construct is safe for children to use in all weathers.
The Most Popular Types of KS1 Playground Equipment
A playground should be somewhere that all children look forward to visiting so the most popular types of KS1 playground equipment are ones that enable children to do things they can’t do anywhere else.
Playground equipment with an element of challenge and imagination are the most popular choices. Look for play equipment that gives children a thrill as well as lots of opportunities to build a range of skills.
Furnishings that invite children to climb, imagine, touch, and explore in unlimited ways are always well-received by children in KS1.
And they’re playing an important role in children’s development too.
From gross motor skills to co-ordination, creative thinking, muscle strength and perseverance, young children motivated to investigate their physical strength and use their imagination will improve a wide range of physical, cognitive, creative, and emotional abilities as they play.
Let’s take a quick look at some of our most popular playground equipment for KS1.
Best Playground Equipment For KS1
1. Sensory Play Panels
Sensory playground equipment is a huge trend, and we have an enormous collection of multi-sensory play panels.
Why so popular?
When contemporary schools and parks are thinking about upgrades to their play spaces, inclusion is now one of the biggest priorities.
We’re not just talking about inclusion in general terms, we’re talking about the different types of ways children play.
In the past, quiet play, also known as reflective play, was an area that was regularly overlooked.
Play panels provide stimulating playground equipment for KS1 children who don’t tend to spend their time tearing around the playground whilst providing valuable respite for those children who sometimes need a bit of quiet time.
(Although play panels are not always quiet!)
These weather-resistant, hardwearing panels can either be freestanding or fixed to the walls.
There’s a wide range of different types of play panels available.
You can choose from: outdoor musical instruments, curriculum-themed single and multi-panel designs, rotogen panels with movement-generated power and more.
Each panel provides children with an exciting range of activities. Things to turn, pull, push, drag, feel, solve and more, make these thrilling and unique play experiences enjoyable for a wide range of children.
As children touch, see and think, they’ll be building important developmental skills including:
– a range of motor skills, including fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination,
– cognitive skills, such as analytical thinking and trial and error,
– communication skills as they discuss this new experience and explore what each element can do
2. Play Trains and Ships
Thinking again about providing for different types of play, contemporary schools and parks are moving beyond the “climbing frame in the corner” scenario.
Whilst climbing frames are great, you want your school playground equipment to enhance the space and give children a unique experience they can only get in your playground.
Play trains and ships are a brilliant way to make a striking statement which lifts the playground and motivates children to push the boundaries of play.
These large play apparatus support a range of play and appeal to a wide variety of children. Creating a space lots of different children can use together is great for relationship-building across year groups.
Meanwhile, the opportunity to engage in imaginative play with others creates a richer experience that means children can really benefit from its advantages.
Imaginative play supports children to develop:
– language skills
– social skills
– problem-solving skills
– creative-thinking
– emotional literacy and more
Browse play trains, ships, and tractors
3. Sand and Water Tables
Sand and water tables are a brilliant example of how much children can learn through play.
Sand and water play has come a long way from the square red tubs of old. Here at Fun & Active Playgrounds, we love to go the extra mile!
We’ve got two brilliant designs that are ergonomic and innovative.
From plenty of space for lots of children to play, to carefully constructed rims which keep the sand, water and toys in the table and not on the floor, you’ll find our sand and water tables are practical too.
Sand and water play offers children so much more than the chance to develop fine motor skills.
As they pour sand and water into containers of different sizes, explore how to make the boats move quicker through the water, talk about what they can see and lift and sculpt the sand into shapes, children also develop:
- mathematical knowledge,
- scientific understanding,
- creative thinking,
- language skills,
- gross motor skills and more
See our brilliant sand and water tables as well as a huge range of other top playground equipment for KS1 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.
