"Playgrounds enable holistic growth and skill development in children.

Playground accidents & resulting injuries are possible, which can be minimized with the application of design sensibility & ergonomics."

Ergonomics is a design factor of critical importance in our industry. The main underlying principle of design is User Experience. With playgrounds, firstly one must recognise the target group, understand their needs and capabilities. This involves analysis of how the product will be used, the characteristics of the user and the interaction between the user and the product. These factors will ensure health, safety, convenience and create the desired experience of play.

Playgrounds enable holistic growth and skill development in children. During this process, playground accidents & resulting injuries are possible, which can be minimized with the application of design sensibility & ergonomics.

Here’s a generic checklist which can greatly enhance your understanding of the key elements that require attention in playground design.

Guidelines to make playgrounds safer:

  • Consider the height of the playground deck and other elements.
  • Consider safety flooring keeping CFH(Critical Fall Height) in mind.
  • Consider height of steps, rungs of a ladder and space between panels of a bridge to suit the target age group.
  • Consider space between the railing bars to be wide enough to allow movement, yet narrow enough to avoid slips and falls.
  • Consider the use of landing areas to allow a child to prepare for an activity.

Guidelines for improvement of Motor Skills:

  • Consider the child’s freedom of movement and provide the feeling of having achieved success.
  • Consider the engagement the child’s entire body like pushing, pulling, running, jumping and obstacle-based activities.
  • Consider the involvement of smaller limbs of the child while engaging with the product.
  • Consider breaking down complicated activities into a series of simpler activities.

Guidelines for improvement of Cognitive Skills:

  • Consider the child’s planning abilities in the design process.
  • Consider incorporating elements from a grown-up’s world.
  • Consider incorporating symmetry and patterns.

Guidelines for improvement of Social Skills:

  • Consider incorporating elements that facilitate cooperation and teamwork among a group of children.
  • Consider adding elements for different age groups in close proximity with the other.
  • Consider allowing space for the intervention of parents to enable better communication between them and the child.

Given the Importance of these factors, such is the glaring need to assert legislative norms that will ensure the same on a global platform.

Keep these in mind and you’ll never see playground design the old way again.