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Play for All - Universal Design for Inclusive Playgrounds

two boys playing with inclusive music play panel

Inclusive playgrounds welcome all abilities to play

An inclusive playground can be accessed and enjoyed by all children. 

The following information highlights the KOMPAN Play Institute’s recommendations for universal and inclusive playgrounds. The information is based on inspirational cases of universal playgrounds, design points for universal play equipment, and the Institute’s most recent research and user observation for inclusive play.

Universal design and inclusive playgrounds are fundamental to KOMPAN’s DNA. The KOMPAN Play Institute has engaged in testing and developing play activities for children of all abilities since the early 1990s.

Make "Play for All" happen with our guide on designing an inclusive playground.

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Play for all - Universal designs for inclusive playgrounds

6 Key design points for universal playgrounds

  1. Accessible, inclusive routing and infrastructure

  2. Access to relevant ground-level activities

  3. Access to relevant elevated-level activities

  4. Support thrilling and challenging play

  5. Support social interaction

  6. Variation in play activities

The Research Around Play | Webinars & White Papers

Sensory Play Benefits

Mastery Through Make-Believe Play

Unleashing Creativity: Building Unique Playgrounds with KOMPAN Design Studio

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

Sensory Play: Science behind child wellbeing in playgrounds

Play for the Planet: Redefining Outdoor Design to Minimize Carbon Footprint

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

8 ways to encourage nature play in playgrounds

Innovative products - The key to more play

Tweens Love Playgrounds

Spin to Think

Play Value - The Influence of Playground Equipment

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

Nature play and natural playgrounds

Climbing activates tween girls - How to increase tween girls' physical activity

Families love thrilling and sensory playgrounds

Physical Activity Among Preschool Children

Energy expenditure on a KOMPAN school age playground

Truly inclusive - the reward of thrill in universal play designs

The risk-benefit equation of challenging playgrounds

Unique Play Designs - Increase play duration

The more thrilling playground

Climbing Clever

6 tips to dramatic play outdoors

A Design Checklist for Success with Inclusive Playgrounds

25 items

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