Rudolf Steiner School

Rudolf Steiner School in Norrköping envisioned a new playground that would motivate students of all ages to be more physically active. However, limited funding stood in the way of turning that vision into reality. To bridge the gap, the school applied for support through the Let’s Pep grant—an initiative from KOMPAN Sweden created to encourage projects that promote increased physical activity.

The school was awarded €16,500 (just under $20,000), allowing the project to exceed its original scope. With the funding, the playground gained an outdoor fitness area, an obstacle course, swings, and a basketball court. Now, the space is full of activity throughout the day—from break times to PE and even after‑school play. Teachers also report a noticeable decrease in conflicts and improved focus during class, showing just how much a well‑designed play environment can contribute to a positive school culture.

When choosing the play equipment, it was important for the school to offer all students—from preschool through 9th grade—more opportunities for physical activity throughout the day. They also wanted the new play areas to blend naturally into the surrounding school grounds. To achieve both goals, the school created an outdoor fitness area for older students and added swings and a 100‑foot trail for younger children, all built from durable robinia wood. The basketball court was upgraded with new hoops installed at the official height of 10 feet.

The trail supports balance, muscle strength, and coordination, and students can choose to complete the full course or focus on individual obstacles. When multiple students use the trail at once, they naturally practice teamwork, turn‑taking, and empathy. The outdoor fitness structure includes ten different stations, allowing many students to train simultaneously, while additional standalone fitness elements offer even more opportunities to stay active.The training concept centers on calisthenics, giving students the freedom to use each station for strength training, playful movement, or social interaction. It’s an ideal way to introduce young people to physical training in a positive, age‑appropriate way.For more ideas and practical guidance, our Play Equipment for Schools guide features popular school‑friendly solutions, inspiration, and helpful tips for planning your next playground project.