The Best Playground Markings for KS2 Pupils

Author: Jess Sparks
Updated on: April 5, 2023

Studies have shown that playground markings can significantly aid how a child grows and develops. When children move into KS2, they have turned 8 years old and are more active and growing in independence than they were in KS1. At this stage, we know they are forming their unique personalities and learning how they can express themselves. So, it is vital that, as teachers, we offer a creative and fun environment in which to play.

There are plenty of different playground markings found in school playgrounds across the world, but there are certain combinations that work best for sparking imagination and creativity in children and their developing minds. We have put together a list of the best playground markings for children in key stage 2 and why they are beneficial to children learning to express themselves.

Sports Court

From football to basketball and many other games, the sports court is a playground staple. It offers flexibility for a wide range of outside activities, including team games which, of course, is the way we help youngsters develop their cooperation and teamwork skills. Outside of structured lessons, the court markings offer kids plenty of scope to come up with their own uses. It can become the walls of a house, Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United and many other things that we as adults may no longer have the imagination for. As children, these small things can generate great imaginative play, which boosts development. The sports court playground marking is considered a must-have and makes a great starting point, but why stop there?

Hopscotch

If you were to ask the older generation about their memories of the school playground, you can bet it wouldn’t take long for hopscotch to get a mention. A hopscotch playground marking brings versatility and a chance for more imaginative play. From small hopscotch grids to something on a larger scale, these are great for practicing the skills of hopping and jumping, which equates to balance and fine motor control. In PE lessons, the hopscotch markings give an ideal starting point for a warm-up activity, and in their free time, the students will find new and inventive ways to use the grid. Thanks to the numbered squares, this playground marking also has merit for counting and number work, with designs on offer from 10 to 20 squares and beyond.

Targets

Another popular playground marking is the target. Targets can be any shape you like, with circles and squares being the most common. The idea is to get an object neatly into the target, for example, sandbags or balls. In structured lessons, the options are many, with teachers being able to create challenges where students get points for correctly hitting a target square or circle. Hand-eye coordination is still developing when a child reaches key stage two; throwing, catching, and aiming are all vital skills that they need to learn. When working with projectiles, even if this is only a beanbag, children can also learn how important it is to consider waiting for other people to move out of the way, learning patience and the importance of not hitting anyone when they throw.

Noughts and Crosses

Developing logical and strategic thinking is another skill that children need, and key stage two is the perfect time to begin this with something simple like a noughts and crosses board. Everyone knows the iconic nine-squared grid, with the aim being to get three in a row of either Xs or Os. The opponent must try and prevent this from happening while at the same time trying to achieve their own winning streak. Again, if left to their own devices, 8 to 10 year-olds are sure to find creative solutions and games they can play with a nine-square grid.

Piggy in the Middle

Not all schools choose to incorporate a piggy in the middle marking on their playground, but it is still an option. It is a lesser-known game, but again anything that gets the children to use their imagination by simply looking at markings on the floor offers a chance for creative play and development.

Twister

Guaranteed to keep the younger children giggling, twister is a fun game and can easily be created as a playground marking for hours of entertainment. Playground markings have an advantage over the traditional slippery plastic twister sheet that comes with the boxed game, with much less chance of slipping. Children need to learn to manoeuvre their bodies to reach a coloured circle with a specified body part. Of course, the game can be simplified for younger children or made more complex for those who really need a challenge. This is a brightly coloured playground marking, which means it also has a myriad of uses when the children are playing and inventing their own games.

Snakes and Ladders

Who hasn’t played snakes and ladders? It’s a universal game, and all children will more than likely be familiar with the game by the time they start school. The snakes and ladders playground marking is versatile and perfect for key stage one but equally useful for key stage two. There are lots of ways you can incorporate snakes and ladders into structured exercise time, or you can leave the children to play and invent their own versions of the traditional game. Climb the ladder, use dice to count on squares, and slide down the slippery snakes. This is a very popular playground marking that offers skill development that children will take with them into later life.

Mazes

One of the great things about maze playground markings is that you can take up as much or little space as you have on offer. Some schools have maze markings that stretch all around the playground, meaning children have to work really hard to follow the path and navigate the dead ends. If you have a smaller space looking for a purpose, a compact maze serves just as well when it comes to teaching children how to think logically and solve problems. There is also a team-building opportunity as students could take turns in leading each other through the maze, using only verbal commands.

Knowing What to Choose

Many schools may not have the space for all of the markings that we have discussed above; however, choosing two or three gives you a chance to create a nurturing and fun space that promotes growth and development. A lot of schools incorporate the court design as this gives them a lot of different sports opportunities for structured PE lessons. We have many years of experience in designing and installing playground markings and are always on hand to help if you are unsure what would fit best in your school.

Playground markings offer plenty of benefits to children in KS2, including:

• Improved physical fitness and health
• Enabling fun and encouraging development of physical skills
• Helping children build up their social and team working skills
• Low maintenance, nothing to get broken, and plenty of versatility

Start the New Year or New Term with Playground Markings

Although playground markings may not seem like the most important part of a rounded education, they certainly contribute, and for key stage two pupils, this is the perfect time to assist their physical and mental development. Creating an exciting space for play is a constant and ongoing task for schools. Having lots of equipment to play on is great, but it also comes with a steep maintenance bill, and there is a lot of pressure to ensure safety at all times. Markings on the floor have minimal maintenance needs and really cannot get broken. They are simply there to aid the imagination of the students. This provides a great low-cost way for schools to create a play environment that children will love.

In KS2, the children are between eight and ten years old and are ready to develop new skills, having built the foundations in key stage one. These last few years of primary school are aimed at preparing them for the bigger challenges to come when they move on to secondary school. When they reach the secondary education level, they are expected to have the basics of language and mathematics mastered and know how to work cooperatively in a group. The playground markings can positively influence this growth and development.

We have a large range of playground markings on offer in a range of colours and styles for you to choose from. We are also able to offer custom designs and create markings that will perfectly meet your needs. So, we encourage you to have a look at the designs we already have on offer and have a chat with us to learn more. Choosing the right playground markings can make a massive positive difference to the development of children in key stage two and can easily be used by key stage one students or even older children who may be using after-school facilities. Get in touch today to find out how we can help your school create the perfect playground markings.