Playgrounds are evolving. Gone are the days of solely vertical structures dominating the landscape. While towers provide an initial “wow” factor, their play value is often limited, and play value is the cornerstone of modern playground design. High play value means children are actively engaged, returning to the playground repeatedly, and finding endless opportunities for exploration – the ideal outcome for any playground design.
We are starting to look more towards horizontal play, a concept that maximizes play value and offers a more inclusive and engaging experience for children of all abilities. Horizontal play, which is demonstrated by our new Adventure Climber, flips this concept on its side, literally! By designing structures that encourage movement across, under, and through, we unlock a wealth of developmental benefits and imaginative play scenarios.
Unlike traditional towers, this horizontal climbing structure offers a multi-dimensional play experience. The structure offers diverse play experiences, inviting children to climb over, crawl under, and explore through its various elements. It features a range of climbing options, and can incorporate classic playground items like slides, glide rails, and sensory panels. The angled top provides a communal space for group interaction, while internal rope nets and tunnels offer quieter spaces to retreat. This design also caters to more diverse needs, allowing children using wheelchairs or mobility devices to participate fully, entering through and under the structure or transferring into the suspended nets.
When children engage in horizontal climbing, they’re not just playing, they’re also developing crucial physical abilities through complex body movements. To move across the varied terrain, they learn to shift their weight effectively, which is really important for balance. They also have to use their core muscles to steady themselves, which helps them build strength and control. And as they move around and through the structure, they become more aware of their spatial awareness.
Navigating the varied terrain of horizontal climbing, with its uneven surfaces and the awareness of potential drops, presents children with a valuable and carefully managed sense of perceived risk. This ‘risk play’ is essential for developing resilience and self-confidence. While a traditional tower offers the thrill of height within the secure confines of protective walls, this structure challenges children to climb and explore without those limitations, pushing their perceived boundaries and allowing for a greater sense of accomplishment. This ‘open-air’ approach helps to cultivate the ability to adapt to new and challenging environments in a fun and exciting way. By meeting all required safety standards, this structure provides the engaging, challenging play that children, parents, and communities often specifically ask for, offering a more enriching and developmentally beneficial experience.
The Adventure Climber’s natural timber construction allows for extensive customisation. It can be visually transformed into a mountain range, volcano, rolling hills, or even waves, inspiring imaginative play and storytelling. This adaptable design encourages children to create their own adventures, both individually and in a group.
The exploration of horizontal play, as demonstrated by the Adventure Climber, isn’t about discarding traditional vertical playground equipment, but rather about expanding our understanding of play value. It’s a recognition that diverse play experiences are essential for creating truly inclusive environments. By integrating more horizontal elements, we’re not just designing playgrounds, we’re creating spaces that cater to a wider spectrum of abilities and needs. This approach allows more children, regardless of their physical capabilities, to engage in meaningful play and encourages social interaction, problem-solving, and a sense of shared accomplishment. The Adventure Climber, through its adaptable design and encouragement of diverse movement, demonstrates how thoughtful innovation can create play spaces that truly benefit all children, allowing everyone the chance to experience the joy of play.
