Play for all

Inspiration for Inclusive Playgrounds

Children playing on a wheelchair carousel on a playground

Ideas for Inclusive Playgrounds

Inclusive playgrounds are built on the foundational principle of universal design, allowing children of varying abilities to engage fully. These designs must address physical, cognitive, sensory, and social needs. Each piece of equipment is carefully crafted to be barrier-free, ensuring no child is excluded due to inaccessibility.

Creating inclusive parks not only meets legal standards but also enhances societal values. These playgrounds become community hubs where diversity is celebrated and encouraged through play.

If you are considering building an inclusive playground, this page offers various examples to help you start your planning phase.

Why are inclusive playgrounds important?

Inclusive Playground Examples

Dive deeper into case studies to find inspiration for your inclusive playground

large playground climbing dome at a school playground

Acorn Park SEN School

Acorn Park School is part of the Outcomes First Group, which operates around 40 Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools, colleges, and homes across the UK. Acorn Park School caters to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) whose needs are too complex for them to attend their local school.

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A boy an girl playing on a playground carousel

Buccaneer Bay, Central Park (UK)

Central Park in Dartford fulfills the city's mission to create a space that appeals to all children, including those with various disabilities.

Jeremy Kite, MBE, leader of Dartford Borough Council, states: "Our playground in Central Park was worn down. Our goal was to create a new play environment with a distinctive, immersive playground that would benefit the borough’s children for years to come."

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Timmeler Meer Recreation Centre

'Stück zum Glück': One of 50 inclusive playgrounds in Germany, by Aktion Mensch, Procter&Gamble and REWE.

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Your exhaustive guide

Universally Inclusive Playgrounds

Here’s a preview of this exclusive publication:

An exploration of top design principles for creating inclusive playgrounds
A comprehensive checklist to perfect your inclusive design
Inspirational examples of inclusive playgrounds from around the globe
Our top recommendations for inclusive playground products

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Why are Inclusive Playgrounds Important

Playgrounds serve as essential social infrastructure in modern cities, providing safe and free spaces for children to play. It is crucial to consider all children, including those with disabilities, in the design of these playgrounds.

The quality of a playground is measured by how well each child feels seen, heard, and included. An inclusive park's location, design, and play equipment can either encourage or hinder play. Ensuring that inclusive playground equipment meets stringent safety standards is vital for creating a secure environment. Inclusive playground designs should accommodate various abilities by incorporating tactile, auditory, and visual elements.

The principles of "universal design" and "adaptive play" should guide all decisions to ensure play spaces are truly inclusive, catering to diverse abilities and preferences. If you are planning to build an inclusive playground or a playground for a special development school, explore your inclusive playground funding options.

Playground planning