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  The "Calculator" is an outdoor interactive, educational element. Painted with numbers and mathematical symbols, kids can rotate the tires to create equations. You can also make a "word calculator" by painting the tires with letters. East African Playgrounds – Uganda East African Playgrounds – Uganda In education systems the world over, "learning" happens inside […]

The "Ant" is an imaginative play element made from a series of half-buried tires. These creepy crawlers make an excellent addition to a playground. Be sure to bury the motorbike tires more than half way underground and pack the soil firmly to prevent them from being yanked out. Follow the link to get the step-by-step […]

In designing a balanced, stimulating playground, it is important to include elements of healthy risk. "What the difference between a ‘good risk’ and a ‘bad hazard’? First, lets clarify 2 key points, 1) We all take risks and we use our judgement to decide which risks are ok and which to avoid.(taking a bus is […]

Sandpits are one of the most valuable elements to include in a playground for young children. This tactile play experience is open ended in its structure, allowing the child to take the lead in play. Adding a sandpit to an education center for young children is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to add sensory […]

Did you catch the "Swing Truck Tire Hammock" we profiled on day 31?It's one of our very favorite elements. We add this element into our playground builds every chance we get. Building the "Hammock Set with Roof" is a great way to structure this element. Kids will love hanging out in this shady spot and […]

The "Balance Beam Extended" is an extremely inexpensive element that can cover a lot of ground space and be build in any formation to shape and compliment existing spaces. Playground Ideas – Thailand Piers Dawson is a VSO volunteer in Kenya. He built the "Balance Beams Extended" ona playground build at the Rojo Rojo Orphanage […]

The "Ladder Twisted" is a tire element that can be used as a step-up to a platform cubby or higher element. Donna Lundy is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Azerbaijan. She recently partnered with the school in Soganverdiler Village in Barda, Azerbaijan to build a playground for their students together. They built this beautiful "Ladder […]

The "Car Tire Sphere" is an entirely tire climbing element. As with all tire elements, be sure to drill a hole in the lowest point of each tire to allow rainwater to drain. Particularly in tropical areas where malaria is common, it is vital to prevent standing water from collecting.   The "Car Tire Sphere" […]

Remember the"Clock" we posted about last week? The "Compass" follows the same principal, but can be used to illustrate how to track the sun in the sky by using a compass and seeing where the shadow falls. Connecting the curriculum to the national world taps into children's natural instinct to observe and experiment, and communicates […]

The "Sand Water Pipes" are a nifty addition to any sandbox. They're particularly great for toddlers and nursery aged children, as they are at the perfect age to start tinkering with cause and effect. They'll love scooping up sand and water and pouring through the pipes to see where it ends up. This element can […]

Remember that wire and bead threader toy that was always in the waiting room at your doctor's office? The "Rebar Threader" is a life size playground version. Add two threaders and kids can race to see who can complete the maze first! Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Rebar […]

The classic "Tunnel Tire." Easy as pie and kids love them. Every playground needs a quiet nook to hideout… East African Playgrounds Follow the link to get the step-by-step instructions for building your own “Tire Tunnel."(Note: must create a free user account to see full instructions.) Got an idea for a playground element?Join our community […]