Handbooks

Explore our resource library of instructional guides on playground building and play advocacy.

Playground-Starter-Kit

Playground Starter Kit

This design scheme puts together some of our favorite, time-tested, low-cost elements into a beautiful space that inspires active, imaginative, social, creative, and open-ended play. In this design kit you’ll find the DIY step-by-step plans for each element, as well tips and advice for adapting the design to your own space and needs.

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The-Case-For-Play

The Case for Play

“The Case for Play” is Playground Ideas’ groundbreaking report highlighting the most significant research findings on the impact of early play interventions, particularly for children living in poverty. The report compiles the best research on play, spanning the fields of economics, psychology, child development, education and neuroscience.

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Play-Builders-Handbook

The Playground Builder’s Handbook

Everything you need to know to build a playground from start to finish using local tools and materials, and by accessing local skills. Discover how to choose appropriate materials; design an age-appropriate, developmentally-stimulating play-space; construct elements safely from local materials; and maintain the playground for years to come.

Safety-Handbook

Playground Safety Handbook

Based on the highest standard of European Union playground safety guidelines, our safety manual breaks down the most common playground hazards into an easy-to-understand, pictorial format. Learn how to differentiate good risks from dangerous hazards in order to create a challenging, stimulating playground that gives children opportunities for development and learning.

Loose-Parts-Manual

Loose Parts Manual

“Loose parts” is a term that refers to any material that can be moved, carried, stacked, or altered. Not only are loose parts cheap and easy to find, but they’re endlessly interesting to kids. Whether you’re creating a loose parts playground from scratch or adding materials to your existing site, you’ll find everything you need to get started.

Inclusive-Design-Manual

Inclusive Design Manual

Designing inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities requires more than simply adding in handicap-accessible elements. A truly inclusive playground facilitates meaningful interactions between children of different abilities and provides opportunities for challenge, healthy risk and mastery for all children.

Cut-Paste-Designer

Cut and Paste Playground Designer

Print out all our DIY playground elements scaled to size. You don’t need fancy software and drafting skills to design a playground – with paper, scissors and glue, you can map out your site, cut out the playground elements you want, and start designing!

Teacher-Training-Manual

Play-Based Teacher Teacher Training Manual

The Teacher Training Manual is specifically focused on the challenges faced in the developing world, provideing encouragement for teachers and childcare workers to use the resources and play traditions within their own culture to support play both inside and outside the classroom.

Early Childhood Education Handbook

Early Childhood Education Handbook

A guide to developing high quality Early Childhood Education. We hope that this handbook will be an inspiring, informative and valuable tool for all educators, parents and carers, particularly those who may be starting their journey towards creating a quality ECE centre.

Nature Play Handbook

Nature Play Handbook

This handbook provides a step by step guide to help you improve or even create a whole new nature play area for the children in your community that embraces the natural world. This Nature Play handbook is primarily for teachers and caregivers who do not have the resources to create an elaborate nature based space or easy access to nature.

Play Streets Handbook

Play Streets Handbook

Making our Cities Child-friendly. Play streets and other initiatives. This handbook aims to show you the benefits of getting children outside playing, some ways in which communities all over the world are going about it, and how you can take small steps to make your community more child friendly and your city more playable.

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Check out other open-source resources our community builders and Global Play Alliance Members have created. From country specific guides, to tips on community organizing, to manual translations – our community has a wealth of knowledge to share.

View Community Submitted Resources