What Kinds of Playground Equipment are Popular with Children? Introducing the best playground equipment for which catalogs can be requested.

いつの時代も遊び方や流行に違いはあれど、子供はやはり外で元気に体を動かして遊ぶことが大好きなものです。公園などに連れていくと、一日中夢中で遊び回る子供も多いです。公園で遊ぶことは子供の運動不足解消や周囲とのコミュニケーションにも繋がります。

この記事では、公園で子供たちがより一層楽しめる「遊具」の種類についてご紹介します。楽しめることはもちろん、安全にも配慮した遊具であれば、保護者も安心して利用できます。公園の管理者様など、遊具を検討されている方にはきっと参考になる内容です。また、最後にはカタログダウンロードも可能なイチオシの遊具もご紹介しますので、ぜひご一読ください。

Functions required of playground equipment

To begin with, let us briefly summarize the functions one should look for in playground equipment. In terms of use by children, the following types of functions are desirable in playground equipment

• You can play using your whole body.
• Large enough for many children to play at the same time
• Safety as equipment
• Designed for easy parental visibility

You can play using your whole body.

Playground equipment that allows children to use their entire body in a big way is the best way to get exercise. Playground equipment that not only provides fun for children but also offers a pleasurable way for parents to play is highly popular, and is one of the important indicators for selecting playground equipment.

Large enough for many children to play at the same time

Since children naturally tend to congregate on playground equipment, it should be spacious enough to allow as many children as possible to play at the same time. If children have to wait in extreme order to play on playground equipment, their moods will be spoiled, and this may lead to unnecessary trouble. In addition, “playing together” creates natural communication.

Safety as equipment

An important feature of playground equipment is that it must be safe enough. Even with a parent or guardian nearby, accidents can still occur while children are playing enthusiastically. Therefore, playground equipment must be designed to prevent accidents as much as possible.

Designed for easy parental visibility

In addition to safety, it is also important that the design allows for easy parental supervision. Children often behave in ways that cannot be anticipated, so it is safer if the structure allows parents and other adults to keep an eye on them at all times.

Typical types of playground equipment

Next, we will introduce what types of playground equipment are available. Since there are many types of playground equipment, we have compiled the following typical types of playground equipment for your reference.

• (playground) slide
• climbing a slope (ladder)
• ropeway
• athletic
• multi-purpose playground equipment
• climbing on ropes

(playground) slide

The “slide,” which no longer needs to be explained, is synonymous with park playground equipment. Not only orthodox types, but also wide slides and roller sliders are available in a wide variety of types. Although there are some precautions to be taken in their use, such as a certain height and speed, they are easy to understand how to use and familiar, and therefore, easy to manage.

Wide-type slide (image reproduced from ” Iko yo” )

Roller Slider (Higashifushimi Park, Nishi-Tokyo City, Tokyo) (Image reproduction: ” PARKFUL “)

climbing a slope (ladder)

This playground equipment is commonly known as a “climbing stick. It is not a playground equipment with any particular mechanism, but rather, it is a simple way to enjoy “climbing” by using the whole body, from arms to legs, and it also helps to develop muscle strength and a sense of balance. Another advantage is that it does not require a large installation area and can be used by many children at the same time. However, it is important to note that it requires a certain height.

Hantobo (Image reprinted from ” Ikoyo “)

ropeway

A rope is passed between two platforms that are separated from each other, and the rider slides down the rope by dangling from the rope. It is also known as a Tarzan rope. It is often installed in relatively large parks, and is popular among children for its exhilarating play experience.

Ropeway (Tsuganosato Family Park, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture) (Image reproduction: ” Tochiginavi “)

athletic

Athletic (Showa Sogo Park, Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture) (Image reproduction: ” Let’s Go to the Park!)

multi-purpose playground equipment

Compound playground equipment is a combination of several pieces of playground equipment such as slides, jungle gyms, and climbing bars (hanzoku-bar) all in one. Recently, this popular type of playground equipment has become a common sight in many parks. By default, when playground equipment is installed in a park, a certain amount of space must be reserved for each piece of equipment. This is ideal for parks that are too small to accommodate a large number of pieces of playground equipment, as multiple functions can be packed into a limited space.

Complex playground equipment (image reproduced from ” Ikoyo “)

climbing on ropes

In recent years, climbing ropes have become a common sight in many parks. It is also known as a rope jungle gym. Although it is high and requires caution, it is very popular among children who like to move and gets a good workout.

Zile Climbing (Yamato Yutorinomori Forest, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture) (Image reprinted in PARKFUL )

The best recommendation is "Fluffy Dome" which has all the safety, security, and fun (with catalog link).

Among the various types of playground equipment that exist, we would like to introduce one that we particularly recommend, including its functionality. It is the “Fluffy Dome” by Taiyo Kogyo Corporation.

The Fluffy Dome, based on an air membrane structure, is a membrane trampoline that allows children to play freely, bouncing and running around, while allowing them to devise their own ways to play. The functional features include the following

• You can play with your whole body.
• Barrier-free & Safety
• Playground equipment with a clear view for parents’ peace of mind

You can play with your whole body.

The Fluffy Dome, a trampoline, is a piece of playground equipment that requires a sense of balance just by riding on it and moving the whole body in a well-balanced manner. By bouncing and running around on the dome, children can develop their physical strength and leg strength. It is also a great place for many children to play at the same time.

Barrier-free & Safety

Fluffy Dome is also thoroughly designed with safety in mind. As a safety measure, Fluffy Dome is made in accordance with the following standards and our own strict in-house standards.

• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s “Guidelines for Ensuring the Safety of Playground Equipment in Urban Parks”.
• Japan Park Facilities Association’s “Criteria for Playground Equipment Safety.”

This product has received SP Mark certification from the Japan Park Facilities Association. In addition, as a guarantee system in case of emergency, we are covered by the “Group Liability Insurance” of the Japan Park Facilities Association.

Wide field of view for parents' peace of mind

Because it is a flat, dome-shaped trampoline with a reduced height, it does not create shaded areas by obstructions. This makes the trampoline a safe place for parents to keep an eye on their children at all times. Benches and sunshades can be provided as incidental equipment, so parents can be assured of a place to stay.

summary

While there is a wide variety of playground equipment available for parks, in recent years there has been a growing demand for equipment that is safer and more secure. While popularity among children is important, it is also necessary to select playground equipment from the perspective of parents.

Taiyo Kogyo’s “Fluffy Dome” introduced this time is an ideal playground equipment that will be appreciated by both children and adults by properly taking into account the required functions. For park managers who are considering playground equipment, we have prepared a link to download a catalog with more detailed information.

Please take a look.

> Click here for “Fluffy Dome