Playground Markings

Letter Playground Markings

Fun Playground Markings & Games

Phonics Playground Markings

Geography & Science Playground Markings

Hopscotch Playground Markings

Maze Playground Markings

Maths Playground Markings

Footprint Playground Markings

Roadway Playground Markings

Trail Playground Markings

Target Playground Markings

Mile a Day Playground Markings

Sports Playground Markings

Welsh Playground Markings

Custom Playground Markings

Social Skills Playground Markings

Recent case studies

How to get started

1. Book a free survey

Join us for a free, no-obligation survey to discuss your playground requirements, where we will take your ideas and put together a scaled plan of your future playground.

2. Installation

Our friendly and experienced installation team install your chosen designs on an agreed date, working around the school timetable. All our installers are DBS checked.

3. Get your pupils active

Watch your children enjoy endless fun in their new playground as they learn new skills to bring to the classroom whilst keeping healthy and staying active!

Book a free survey

A Guide to Playground Markings

Playground Markings for Primary Schools, Nurseries and More

Are you looking to introduce playground markings to your school, community area or leisure facility?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about our thermoplastic playground markings. From their versatility in design to the durability of the materials used, we will explore how these markings can breathe new life into any playground.

Whether you’re a school business administrator, headteacher, a park planner, or a parent looking to revamp a local play area, this article will provide you with the essential knowledge to make informed decisions and create an exciting and safe space for children.

Throughout this guide, we will cover various aspects related to our thermoplastic playground markings including:

common questions regarding pricing and cost
answers to your problems
playground markings vs playground paint comparison
best UK playground marking companies

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of the investment required for your project, be able to select the right markings for your specific needs and have the knowledge to be able to maximise the longevity and visual impact of our playground markings.

Case Study: Singleton CE Primary School

Pricing and Cost

What factors determine the cost of the playground markings?

The size and complexity of the playground marking design will determine if the price is higher or lower. The quality of the thermoplastic material used to create the markings will also determine the price. For example, the better the quality of thermoplastic, the higher the cost. Similarly, the bigger and more complex the design, the higher the cost.

Is the cost of thermoplastic playground markings based on the size of the playground?

The cost of our playground markings is not determined by the size of your playground. However, if your school or community area has a larger playground, you may want to invest in more markings to make the most of your outdoor space.

Are there any additional charges for customised designs or logos?

If you’re looking to get bespoke playground markings made or perhaps a school logo, we can certainly help. Our talented design team can bring your ideas to life and our state-of-the-art waterjet cutting machine is able to create intricate designs with ease. There is no additional cost for this design service, the price of the custom marking would be based on the amount of thermoplastic material used.

Do the colours and patterns chosen affect the pricing?

Colours and patterns will not affect the pricing of our playground markings. All our thermoplastic colours are the same price, and the shape of the design will not affect the cost. All prices are based on how much thermoplastic material is needed to create the design.

Is the cost of thermoplastic playground markings influenced by the complexity of the design?

Partly yes. The complexity of the design along with the size will influence the cost of the playground marking. The more complex, or larger the design, the higher the cost will be.

Multiplication-Grid-1-10-Solid-Playground-Marking

Are there any recurring costs or maintenance fees associated with thermoplastic playground markings?

There are no reoccurring costs for playground markings. At least not within their lifespan! We warrant our markings for 4 years, including cover against wear, though we know they can last up to 10 on a playground. After this point, you may want to think about replacing them.

Are there any volume discounts available for larger playground projects?

We have a range of playground marking packages available for a range of different price brackets to help you save up to a whopping £1,385!

You’ll also be able to choose from a selection of special offers based on the level of your spend.

Do installation charges affect the overall cost?

Each of our playground markings are priced accordingly to include installation so there are no hidden fees. However, we also provide pre-cut games and markings to the trade on a supply only basis. Visit our sister company, Supply Only Playground Markings, for more information.

Do you offer a Price Match?

Yes! Our Price Match Guarantee ensures we provide the most competitive prices around. We will match or beat any genuine like for like quote. All of our games are designed and manufactured in our very own Hampshire warehouse, and installed directly by us. There is no middle man involved which means we are able to pass any savings on to you.

Are there any additional charges for site preparation or surface preparation?

Before installation, we kindly ask that your playground has a clean surface, free from any moss, leaves, and mud. If you prefer us to take care of this for you ahead of any playground works, we can provide a cleaning service at an additional minimum cost of £1,500 for a full day, in which we can clean up to 800m2.

Is there a warranty included in the cost of thermoplastic playground markings?

Yes, all our markings include a 4-year warranty, covering the wear of the markings. Often the markings will last a lot longer on a playground – up to 10 years in fact!

Rocket-Hopscotch-Sports-Coated-background-Playground-Marking

Are there any ongoing expenses for repairs or touch-ups?

There are no ongoing costs for repairs or touch-ups. In the unlikely event that there is an issue with your new markings within their warranty, contact us and we will endeavour to assist you with no extra cost, providing the issue is with the installation of the marking.

You may also want to consider resources for cleaning the markings every 6 months to keep them looking bright!

Are there different pricing packages or options to choose from?

We have selection of four different Playground Markings packages designed for a range of different budgets to include games for physical activity, education, and play. Choose from Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum packages to suit your needs or choose from our full range of playground markings.

Can you provide a breakdown of what’s included in the pricing for thermoplastic playground markings?

Here’s a list of everything that is included in the cost of our playground markings:
·       Design service
·       Manufacturing
·       Installation
·       Travel
·       Any necessary overnight stays
·       General cleaning where new markings are being installed
·       Revisits due to uncontrollable delays e.g. poor weather

Are there any seasonal discounts or promotions available?

We always have a range of special offers to choose from depending on your level of spend. The brackets range from £2000, £3000, £4000, and £5000 and include a choice of two markings to add to your playground plan free of charge.

How does the cost of thermoplastic playground markings compare to other types of playground markings?

Thermoplastic playground markings will not be the cheapest option for marking your playground, however, they will deliver the best value. Other options including traditional painted markings will only last up to a year or so before they need replacing or refreshing.

Thermoplastic playground markings will not fade, chip, or flake away like painted markings. The UV resistance of the material will ensure the colours stay bright, plus its ultra-durable properties will mean the markings will last for at least 4 years, creating opportunities for children to enjoy playground games for generations to come.

Whitgreave-Primary-School-Basketball-Court-Playground-Marking

Can you provide examples of previous projects?

Browse our collection of case studies and find out how we’ve helped other schools achieve their desired outcomes. If you’re looking for more inspiration, head over to our gallery with images of some of our favourite projects!

Are there any financing or payment plan options available?

Payment for your playground project is due on completion.

There are various funding schemes available that could cover the cost of playground markings. However, the most commonly used option amongst primary schools is the Sports Premium initiative funded by the UK Government.

Are there any cost-effective alternatives to thermoplastic playground markings?

Only in the short term. Traditional painted markings are much cheaper, however they may not end up being the most cost effective. Painted markings will need refreshing every year, whereas thermoplastic playground markings can last anywhere between 4-10 years!

Ysgol-Gynradd-Llanllyfni-Welsh-Active-Circuit-

Answers to your Thermoplastic Playground Marking Problems

How to maximise longevity

How to maximise longevity
An easy way to refresh your playground markings is to keep them looking clean every 6 months. The material we use is UV resistant, meaning the colours won’t fade. After cleaning them, they’ll look just like new!

Here are our guidelines for keeping thermoplastic markings clean and maximising longevity:
·       Regularly sweep your markings – stones can wear your markings down more quickly.
·       Do not use any chemicals when cleaning your markings.
·       When jet washing, make sure the jet wash is at a 90-degree angle to the marking, so you are aiming directly downwards. Jet washing at an angle could put pressure between the surface and the marking.

We can take care of cleaning your markings for you if your school would prefer. Find out more about our cleaning service.

How are playground markings installed?

First, we use chalk to mark out where on the tarmac the playground marking is going and then prime the area to seal the surface. Next, we lay the thermoplastic markings down in position and apply heat to them with a propane lance until they have created a bond with the tarmac.

What are playground markings used for?

The main purpose of playground markings is to promote outdoor play and learning, whilst encouraging children to be active at the same time. They’re often used in primary schools, infant schools, or nurseries, but you may also see them in your local community playground. They are perfect for adding a splash of colour to your play area, as well as assisting with Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Geography, PE and more!

Are thermoplastic playground markings prone to fading over time?

The thermoplastic material we use to create our playground markings is UV resistant. This means the colours won’t fade in the sun and will stay bright for its entire lifespan, providing they are kept nice and clean!

How do thermoplastic markings hold up against extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, or rain?

If made from a high-quality material, thermoplastic markings are extremely durable and can withstand all sorts of extreme weather conditions including heavy rain, heat waves and freezing temperatures. Learn more about thermoplastic and its properties.

Limpsfield-CE-Infant-School-Custom-Phonics-Pond-Playground-Marking

Deluxe-Dance-With-Me-5-Stations-Playground-Marking

Do playground markings get slippery?

Our playground markings have a built-in anti-slip bead and a slip-resistant value of 65. The anti-slip bead sinks through the material when heat applied which means the markings are anti-slip throughout their whole lifespan, eliminating safety concerns and ensuring safe play in all weathers, including rain. In addition, since thermoplastic markings can be used almost straight away, when installing, we sprinkle on extra anti-slip bead for initial slip resistance.

How long do thermoplastic playground markings typically last before needing replacement?

Our playground markings are warranted for 4 years. Although, we expect them to last a lot longer on a playground with only foot traffic. Our thermoplastic markings can last up to ten years on a playground – that’s up to ten times longer than painted markings!

Can thermoplastic markings be applied on any surface, or are there limitations?

Thermoplastic playground markings can be installed on tarmac, concrete, and block paving. However, markings installed onto porous asphalt, resin bound stone, paving slabs and other surfaces other than tarmac, will not be covered under our 4 year warranty.

A period of 6 weeks should be left before installing any playground markings onto new tarmac.

Are there any potential health hazards or risks associated with the materials used in thermoplastic playground markings?

The thermoplastic material we use is non-toxic and contains no lead or chromates. Plus, the built-in anti-slip properties means there’s minimal concern for slips and trips.

Can thermoplastic markings be removed or replaced without damaging the underlying surface?

If your school has old and worn thermoplastic markings, you may want to consider playground marking removals. There are a few ways in which thermoplastic markings can be removed, however, all options will result in some extent of surface damage.

The best method available and the method we recommend, is vapour blasting. Although, you will have some playground scarring where the marking used to be, this method causes the least damage to the tarmac. Take a look at our Playground Marking Removals service.

Are there any limitations in terms of design options or customisation for thermoplastic playground markings?

We use a state-of-the-art waterjet cutting machine to create our playground markings and we’re more than happy to create bespoke items too! The CNC cutting machine allows us to create intricate designs, and we have 18 colours of thermoplastic to choose from.

This does mean we are unable to create gradient effects within the colours – aside from that, the sky is the limit. Send us your ideas for a free quotation on any custom markings and our expert team will be able to advise.

Can you install over existing playground markings?

Playground markings cannot be installed directly onto old thermoplastic markings. They will only last as long as that underneath it, so do let us know if you require playground marking removals and we can provide a free quote.

Are there any potential issues related to the installation process of thermoplastic playground markings?

There are a few factors that we will require for a successful installation of playground markings:

Clear Access
To complete the installation as quickly and as efficiently as possible, our install team will require clear, uninterrupted access to the playground, and our timings are estimated based on having this.

Many schools prefer to hold wet play sessions for the day to minimise disruption to access. However, we are happy to work around your lunch and break times, where our install team can use safety cones and barrier tape to work on different areas in the playground.

If we need to stop at any time, we ask that you make us aware of those timings with plenty of notice ahead of the install date. This means we can plan the schedule accordingly and make sure the project is completed within the time allocated. Any extra days spent on site as a result of unexpected access needs may affect your original quote.

For playground marking removals, we also need good water access and vehicle & trailer access.

Clean Surface
The playground will also need to have a clean surface.

The tarmac should be:
· In a reasonable condition with no loose or chipped tarmac and free from any moss, leaves, and mud*
· Not gritted – this can leave residue on the surface which will lead to the new markings not adhering properly. If it is icy, we kindly ask that a pathway is gritted that won’t interfere with the positioning of the new games

*Additional charges may be incurred if cleaning is required on the day of installation.

Weather
We are experienced in installing playground markings throughout the duration of the year, including through the winter and any poor weather spells, and we have a few ways in which we can overcome certain conditions.

Rain:
Depending on how heavy the rain is forecast in your area, the project could very well stay on track. If it’s only forecast light showers, it’s likely we will still send our install team to your school. We can use our gazebo to provide cover over areas for us to install games. We can also use our propane torches to dry the ground so we’re not installing onto a wet surface. If it’s forecast to rain heavily and for much of the day, we will then consider rescheduling your installation for the next suitable day.

Snow & Ice:
During snowy and icy conditions, we will do what we can to get the job done. However, in such conditions where it has already snowed with freezing temperatures unlikely to melt it, we would likely reschedule your installation for when the conditions are suitable.

Limpsfield-CE-Infant-School-Times-Table-Hopscotch-300mm-Playground-Marking

Playground Markings vs Playground Paint: A Comparison

How do thermoplastic markings compare to other types of playground markings in terms of durability and longevity?

Thermoplastic markings almost always come out on top when compared to traditional painted markings. Take a look at the comparison below!

	Thermoplastic Markings	Painted Markings
Durability	Handles heavy traffic, impact resistant, UV resistant meaning colours won’t fade, 4-year warranty	Shows signs of wear sooner, colours can fade within just several weeks, cannot withstand extreme weather conditions, 1 year warranty at most
Cost	Higher cost, ideal for permanent solution, little to no maintenance costs	Low cost, better for temporary options, additional maintenance cost each year
Installation	Requires clean surface before application, no risk of colours running, can be used almost straight away, quick install time	Requires clean surface before application, requires high skill, potential for colours to run, 2-3 hours to dry
Visual	Complex designs are easy, consistent finish, colours are more vibrant, more freedom for customisation	Simple designs achievable, potential for inconsistent finishes, colours fade more quickly
Safety	Non-toxic material, environmentally friendly, anti-slip properties	Lower slip resistance, some paints not as environmentally friendly

For more information, see our blog on Paint vs Thermoplastic Playground Markings.

What are the benefits of thermoplastic playground markings?

·       High UV resistance – the colours will stay bright and won’t fade
·       Available in 18 colours
·       Non-toxic
·       Environmentally friendly
·       Contains no lead or chromates
·       Safe anti-slip finish
·       Ultra-durable
·       Intricate designs are achievable
·       Lasts up to 10 times longer than paint

Number-Grid-1-100-Solid-Playground-Marking

Singleton-CE-Primary-School-Number-Grid-Playground-Marking

Best UK Playground Marking Companies

Here are some of the best playground marking companies in the UK:

Thermmark Installations

Thermmark installations is one of the UK’s leading experts in the design, manufacture, and installation of playground markings. Developed in-house by their dedicated Design Team, their creations are unique, engaging and eye-catching.

Sovereign

Sovereign has the know-how to create and install an imaginative, stimulating and safe outdoor play area. Sovereign provides durable, long-lasting sports playground markings for a variety of fun outdoor games, such as tennis and netball.

Project Playgrounds

Project Playgrounds is a division of Thermapply™ Limited and are specialist suppliers and installers of the finest playground markings available today.

Their products are manufactured from high quality thermoplastic, a material that looks fantastic in the playground due to the bright, vibrant colours and unique designs.

Easy Markings

Perfect for schools and nurseries with exterior playgrounds, the thermoplastic playground markings on offer from Easy Markings are extremely diverse. They make it child’s play to turn your play area into something much more colourful, educational and – above all – fun.

UniPlay

UniPlay specialise in the design and installation of thermoplastic playground markings for primary schools. They provide creative, imaginative and fun thermoplastic markings aimed to enhance cross-curricular learning. They create outdoor play areas suitable for children of all ages and abilities and aim to increase their confidence while making exercise fun.

Designs and Lines

Designs & Lines is an independent UK based company with over 20 years experience. They work with Schools, Councils, Children Centres and many other organisations across the country helping them make good use of their outdoor space creating a successful environment for outdoor learning sports and play.

Custom-Widgit-Circuit-Playground-Marking

What you can expect when you choose Fun & Active Playgrounds

We would love the opportunity to work with your school or business on any upcoming playground projects. When you choose to work with us you can expect nothing less than:

A dedicated team from start to finish
Playground marking experts with 10+ years industry experience
A non-toxic, environmentally friendly material
Ultra-durable markings that last up to 10 times longer than paint
Anti-slip properties safe for a busy playground
4 year warranty on the wear of your playground markings
Team members with DBS checks
Sustainable manufacturing and operations

Locks-Heath-Infant-School-Mr-Wolf-Playground-Marking

Singleton-CE-Primary-School-Mirror-Me-Playground-Marking

We offer our amazing services across the whole of the UK! Take a look at some locations where we’ve completed projects for playground markings for schools and find the nearest one to you.

Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Cornwall
County Durham
Cumberland
Derbyshire
Devon

Dorset
Hampshire
Huntingdon & Peterborough
Isle of Wight
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire

Manchester
Middlesex
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Northumberland
Nottinghamshire
Rutland
Shropshire

Staffordshire
Suffolk
Surrey
Warwickshire
West Midlands
Worcestershire
Wiltshire
Yorkshire

We’d love to hear about your requirements and what we can do to help bring your playground to life, so get in touch with us today or give our friendly team a call on 0800 061 42 43.

Reviews

I would highly recommend Fun & Active Playgrounds! Throughout the planning process, the team were supportive, making recommendations whilst understanding our budget constraints. The children love the markings, with the road track being a firm favourite!

Helen Thompson

The playground markings have been an exciting new addition to the playground and the children love them. Fun & Active from sharing ideas, to providing proofs and then installing the markings, are always keen to ensure that the final product is exactly what you want.

Sam Sheppard

WOW, WOW, WOW, I am so pleased with our new school playground. It so badly needed a makeover. The team have been fantastic from start to finish. Designing, planning, changing designs. The children were overjoyed going back to school after half term. They had no idea what we had been planning and doing behind the scenes, they absolutely love it…

Sam Harries

See more reviews >