white paper

Play value - the influence of playground equipment

How playground equipment can influence children

Research from the KOMPAN Play Institute shows that playground equipment influences preschooler’s development positively.

Important developmental domains such as social, cognitive, and language development are not the usual centre of attention in playground research. So the KOMPAN Play Institute set out to investigate to what extent play structures with a wide variety of activity panels influence these important developmental domains. Play panels provide extra play value and can be used to advance the growth of children’s social-emotional and cognitive development.  Read the findings of the KOMPAN Play Institute to know more about what kind of playground equipment educators and park planners should invest in for their particular user groups, and why. 

white paper

Play value - The influence of playground equipment

Download white paper
Definitions of ##cognitive## play

Definitions of cognitive play behaviours

  • Functional play: Play which centers around enjoying the physical sensation that a certain activity provides, e.g. sliding

  • Constructive play: Manipulating objects to create something, e.g. building with Lega

  • Explorative play: Focused examination of an object, e.g. examining stones on the ground

  • Dramatic play: Symbolic, pretend play, e.g. playing doctor

  • Games: Paying games that have ruled, e.g. hide-and-seek

Play webinars and white papers

Designing unique playgrounds that match your story and your scene

Play

Webinar

Inclusive Public Playgrounds: 10 new, science-based practices for play spaces

saturn playground schools and public parks

10 design tricks for age appropriate playgrounds in schools and public parks

Tweens love playgrounds: 5 new science-based tips for school playground design

Sensory Play: Science behind child wellbeing in playgrounds

Nature Play: 8 Tips on encouraging outdoor play with nature playgrounds

Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

More play and no conflicts

Play value increases with sensory play

The more thrilling playground

Equality in play - Survey on playground use in children with disabilities

Sensory play: The why, how and what of sensory stimulating playgrounds

Physical activity among preschool children

Tweens love playgrounds

Innovative products - The key to more play

6 tips to dramatic play outdoors

Unique Play Designs - Increase play duration

truly inclusive section

Truly inclusive - the reward of thrill in universal play designs

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school-age playground

The risk-benefit equation of challenging playgrounds

Nature play and natural playgrounds

a children's play area with children playing on the playground.

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

Children playing on a large playground tower made from more sustainable materials in Olins Park

Play for the planet: redefining outdoor design to minimise carbon footprints

Sign up to our newsletter

Get updated with news, inspiration and offers straight into your inbox.