Blog

Did you catch former intern Tyler Sall's "Swing Monkey" design on day 37?  The element was inspired by his childhood memories of swinging on palm fronds with his brother in Panama. The "Monkey Ring" is another one of Tyler's designs. It is similar to the "Swing Monkey" but uses a solid ring instead of chains. Kids can grab the ring and start running to propell themselves around the pole. It's almost like a hanging merry-go-round. This is a great design if you have a strong pole (or even a strong tree trunk) to work with. 

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Monkey Ring."(Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element?Join our community and submit your designs here.

We've written before on the blog about how an earth mound, or hill, is one of the best, cheapest elements to add to a playground. If your site has a natural hill, you're already off to a great start! Try packing in soil around existing landscape to contour and curve the landscape. Hills can be used as gentle traffic barriers, to create running paths, provide a high-point look out, or divide quiet and active play areas.

(Photos: Playground Ideas, Uganda)

(Photos: Playground Ideas, Brazil)

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for a few of our favorite earth mounds you can add to a play site today. (Must create a free user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element? Join our community and submit your designs here.

Make a sandpit more stimulating by adding in elements like the sand and water table. Sand play is one of the most enriching, open ended play experiences in a play space for young children. Every nursery/preschool play space needs a sandpit!

(Photos: Playground Ideas, Brazil)

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own Tire Sandpit Combo. (Must create user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element? Join our community and submit your designs here.

Step Stone Tires are one of the easist, cheapest elements to add to a playground. Its a great element for young kids, who will enjoy jumping from "stone" to "stone."

This set was built by Piers Dawson at a playground in Kenya that only cost a grand total of $125!

Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own Step Stones Tire.  (Must create user account to see full instructions.)

Got an idea for a playground element? Join our community and submit your designs here.