An inclusive playground provides a safe, accessible and fun space for children of all backgrounds and abilities to learn and play.
Here at Playdale, we’ve manufactured playground equipment for over 45 years, and over that period we’ve learnt how to make our playgrounds truly inclusive. We design equipment accessible to children of all ages and continue to innovate with new, inclusive designs.
Inclusive play guarantees fun for all children and helps to develop fine motor skills, encourage socialisation and promote team building.
For those unfamiliar with inclusive playgrounds, knowing where to start may feel like a daunting task. Not to worry, because our Playdale inclusive playground experts are here to help.
Whether inclusive equipment is integrated well within an existing playground or entirely built from scratch, inclusive playgrounds give children the opportunity to build on their skills and socialise with both parents and children.
A well-designed universal and inclusive playground can accommodate a wide range of physical and sensory needs, from autism to deafness.
This can be achieved with unique educational panels, sensory equipment and large play frames that allow for extra space, wheelchair accessibility and room for parents to join in with the fun – as can be seen with our Mexico City Plus multi play unit.
Read on to begin your journey in designing an inclusive playground, complete with a range of accessible playground equipment.
Where possible, wheelchair users should never be excluded from playground favourites commonly used by peers. Whether this is through physical access to the playground, educational equipment or traditional play equipment such as roundabouts.
When choosing a material for playground surfacing, avoid materials that can cause poor traction for wheels. A common culprit of this is wood chippings, a messy material that can negatively affect the tracks of a wheelchair. For wheelchair-accessible areas, we suggest considering, Playdale Bonded Rubber Mulch or Wet Pour.
It is also important to include proper edging, pathways and fencing, marking a clear boundary for the playground and easy access to the accessible playground equipment.
For a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, the Inclusive Orbit is a stellar choice. While similar in concept to a traditional roundabout, the Inclusive Orbit has been designed to accommodate both wheelchairs and non-wheelchair users. With ergonomic handles and durable materials, the Inclusive Orbit has two large platforms that wheelchair users can roll onto independently – allowing them to play together with other children.
For swings that are more accessible to children with mobility issues, the inclusive swing seat on the Timber Team Swing gives users a safe seat to be lifted into.
We also offer additional seating, such as The Tango Seat, that allows families to join in with the fun! Our high-backed swing seats assist children with issues supporting their upper bodies, making sure more children can experience the exhilarating fun of a playground swing.
For traditional rockers, the Gravity Rider can also be installed for children with difficulties supporting their back or neck. The Gravity Rider’s inclusive design provides neck and back support, as well as a footrest.
Playdale’s inclusive playground equipment has been designed with play therapy in mind, helping to aid in the development and enjoyment experienced by neurodivergent children in the playground.
With the inclusion of appropriate play equipment, your inclusive playground can become a therapeutic space for children with emotional, neuro-diverse or behavioural needs.
From musical equipment to tactile surfaces and even nature play, Playdale has a range of sensory play equipment perfect for use as part of play therapy. This equipment helps with focus, cooperation, and emotional expression.
What’s more, these inclusive playgrounds can also be themed, making them more approachable for children of all abilities, ages, levels of confidence and attention.
For additional theming, consider matching your equipment to Wet Pour flooring, which can be fully customised with a range of bespoke designs.
Play therapy activities can help children with ADHD improve attention, self-control, and social skills.
The best playgrounds that practise play therapy for ADHD involve a mix of cooperative games, sensory play, and creative problem-solving tasks.
If you want to try play therapy in your playground, consider these fantastic inclusive play equipment examples:
Playdale’s range of musical play equipment makes for sensory play that is perfect for families that may not have access to music lessons. Try our Drums, Boom Tubes, Cow Bells, Washboard Chimes or Xylo-Chimes.
Cooperative play equipment promotes both focus and team-building skills, helping children to socialise children engagingly. Incorporate our Loud Speaker to aid communication, Playground Seesaws to make play a team effort, as well as our wheelchair-accessible roundabouts.
Satisfying and rewarding, we also offer mentally stimulating equipment that helps teach children the value of problem-solving, such as our Ball Maze Panel and Noughts and Crosses Panel.
Research tells us that sensory play equipment helps children on the autism spectrum learn and develop their skills.
When implemented well, sensory equipment encourages children to explore the world around them, whilst socialising with others and experimenting with building blocks of nature:
Encourage natural play by including Sand and Water Play equipment and Mud Kitchens in your inclusive playground.
The full range of musical play equipment listed above is also a great form of sensory play for autism.
What’s more, our play panels, with interactive features and textures, are perfect for sensory play. Consider a Musical Panel to accompany your musical equipment, an Interactive Panel with Discs or a Bubble Panel designed especially for sensory play.
Children with autism find they can sometimes struggle with sensory overload, so be sure to include quieter rest areas for children to decompress.
We suggest installing the Shelter, Extended Lakeland Table (Inclusive Design) or City Inclusive Picnic Table so children in wheelchairs can also access these quiet areas.
Playdale has transformed playgrounds to become fully inclusive, with fantastic responses from the local community.
Take a look at some recent favourites:
Sebastian’s Action Trust – we turned this previously inaccessible playground into a playground for all. Highlights include the installation of an Inclusive Orbit, Play Panels, a Timber Team Swing and the fully-inclusive Mexico City Plus.
Cannon Hall Farm – a two-phase project complete with a dedicated inclusive play area, this huge project included unique theming, dedicated areas for a range of abilities and a toddler village.
We understand that many school and community playgrounds need support when it comes to funding specialist, inclusive playground equipment. For help in finding ways to fund your inclusive playground, read our blog on securing playground funding.
Do you have any questions for our dedicated team of playground design specialists? Get in touch! If you’re ready to begin designing your inclusive playground, request a catalogue to browse our inclusive play equipment. Become inspired by reading about our other completed projects.
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