Outdoor Play and Public Health: How Schools Are Fighting Sedentary Lifestyles with Smarter Equipment 

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Outdoor Play and Public Health: How Schools Are Fighting Sedentary Lifestyles with Smarter Equipment 

Getting children to go outside to play is becoming harder and harder. The pull for more screen time is challenging parents and caregivers who are trying to encourage their children to be physically active. The challenge is equally as difficult for schools. While recess may be a coveted break from the classroom, children may be more entertained by what’s happening on their mobile devices than taking a turn on the swingset. 

And unfortunately, this challenge isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The rise of technology will only continue to pull and tempt children as they mature through the school years. Not to mention, the pressure for more structured extracurricular activities at younger ages will also consume children’s time. Studies and homework are also weighing on kids, meaning they miss out on free play time with their friends. 

However, there is hope! Even with the rise of digital screens and the prioritization of schoolwork, schools and parents are recognizing the need for more outdoor time. New playgrounds can rise to meet these challenges, enticing children to play and be active. With that said, here are three ways schools are fighting sedentary lifestyles with smarter playground equipment. 

1. Diverse Play Environments

One way to entertain kids is to include various modalities of play. Yes, swings and slides are great, but children will get bored if a play area only has these two options. Instead, school playgrounds with varied commercial playground equipment can occupy kids for hours. 

If space permits, different areas can be designated for different types of play. For example, a quiet area can be great for overstimulated children who need a break from the hustle and bustle. A station for sensory experiences with musical instruments and tactile surfaces can help boost cognitive development. An adventure-based area with climbing structures, movable parts, and challenging rope courses can test little ones’ physical limits. 

For schools in particular, creating diverse play environments also ensures that children of all ages within the school have something to play with. Those in kindergarten can have just as much fun during their outdoor break as a fifth grader during recess. Teachers can allow younger children to play with certain equipment until they’re old enough to progress to the more challenging obstacle courses or taller slides. As children grow, they won’t be tired of coming to the same playground or say they’re bored with the equipment available to them. 

2. Naturalized Materials

Incorporating nature is another way to engage children and increase play. In recent years, more developers are constructing “naturalized playgrounds.” These types of playgrounds incorporate natural elements alongside traditional playground equipment. Naturalized playgrounds encourage little ones to explore on their own while bringing in natural elements to activate different senses. For instance, herb gardens activate smells and even tastes, while water features activate hearing and touch. 

Because nature is ever-changing, it can provide numerous opportunities for exploration and stimulation. Children can watch plants grow over the seasons, climbing over rocks and logs during the fall and winter months when vegetation is sparse. During the warmer months, children can splash in water elements and balance on stones surrounding ponds or streams. 

Schools that include natural materials in their playgrounds can also use the area as an outdoor classroom of sorts. During the springtime, children can plant seedlings and watch the plants grow. Through this exercise, they can learn about what a plant needs to thrive and how to take care of it. Older children can participate in scavenger hunts or even nature walks to get inspiration for creative writing classes. The possibilities of play and learning really are endless when it comes to naturalized playgrounds.  

3. Interactive Games

Another way to entice children to remain active during recess and other outdoor breaks is to add interactive equipment. While a standard playground may have entertained children just a few decades ago, kids today are looking for something more. Growing up in the digital age, they are used to being stimulated constantly. They are used to fast-paced, high-stimulation media, and therefore, playgrounds need to adapt to this new generation to be appealing. 

School playgrounds that embrace technology can connect the high-tech world with traditional play. A climbing wall with LED lights can be an appealing activity. As a child climbs higher and higher, the wall can light up different colors. Touch-sensitive panels can prompt children to run in place, do jumping jacks, or complete mini squat jumps. Even motion-activated play panels can be brought in to stimulate children and encourage them to be physically active. 

As the digital world continues to evolve, so will playgrounds. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are new possibilities for playgrounds that schools may want to look into for the future. This type of technology would allow children to play alongside their favorite television or movie characters, or add another dimension to traditional games like tag. With these elements, screens may be incorporated into play, but they’ll be used to stimulate activity and exercise.  

In Conclusion 

Combatting sedentary lifestyles among children is a continuous challenge for schools and parents. Creating more active-based playgrounds with diverse play zones, natural elements, and interactivity can encourage children to be active during set classroom breaks and recess.