Getting Into A Spin With Playground Equipment

Children love the thrill of spinning – enjoying the exhilarating high speeds they’d struggle to find in ordinary play. Spinning builds confidence, strength and balance, which is why spinning play equipment is crucial for childhood development in playgrounds.

Why do children like to spin?

‘Spinning on their own is a child’s natural way to ’test‘ their sense of balance,’ according to author and Child Development Expert, Gill Connell.

Small children instinctively roll, spin, rock and hang upside down because their brains crave vestibular stimulation to establish a sense of balance. Toddlers in particular like to spin around until they feel dizzy and often fall in the process.

The joy of spinning is inherent in children, which is why spinning play equipment should feature in every playground.

The best high-speed and spinning playground equipment

The best spinning playground equipment requires teamwork to achieve the shared goal of speed and fun – boosting cooperation between children as well as the motor skills required to push, grip, pull and balance.

Children are natural risk takers, so playgrounds must offer equipment that nurtures development by allowing them to act on impulse in a safe, controlled way.

For ideal playground spinners, look no further than:

• Playground roundabouts, including the orbit, mini orbiter and inclusive orbit
• Aerial runways
• Team Swings
• Movers, including the Gravity Bowl, Rota Glide, Spinner, Aero Tilt and more.

The benefits of children spinning during play

As well as enjoyment, spinning during play has a number of benefits – some of which we have already covered.

One of the strongest physical benefits of spinning is the process of vestibular stimulation – a neurological response to spinning that involves the sending of electronic messages to the nerves that maintain balance and build spatial awareness. The process of vestibular stimulation is essential to the development of children’s physical and emotional needs.

Vestibular stimulation also has a calming effect on children. This is why we rock babies to sleep, and why children with sensory issues are encouraged to spin or swing to settle them – as well as why autistic children sometimes spin in the playground as a self-settling measure.

In short, playground spinners benefit children by:

• Developing balance
• Developing spatial awareness
• Allowing them to exercise their need to take risks
• Building motor skills
• Self-settling their nerves and mood
• Gaining confidence in play.

What kind of playgrounds benefit from play equipment that spins?

Every playground can benefit from play equipment that spins, especially playgrounds in schools, nurseries and local authorities – as well as playgrounds found at leisure operators, housing developments or run by community groups.

Essentially, any child between the ages of 3–14 years old will benefit from the fun and development granted by spinning play equipment.

Inclusive spinning play equipment

Playdale believes all children should have access to play equipment that spins. That’s why we developed the Inclusive Orbit, a roundabout that uses a ground-level circular platform which allows a smooth platform for a wheelchair, as well as standing space and a generously sized seat.

This specialist playground spinning equipment can be shared by children with mobility issues, in wheelchairs and who do not have disabilities – meaning no child feels left out of spinning time.

Learn more about how to create an inclusive playground.