Classic swings, slides, and climbing structures will never truly go out of style. What modern trends do differently is introduce a more efficient approach. Instead of the usual primary-colored freestanding structures, a more time-forward approach could be sensory-stimulated structures. Commercial playgrounds could use a bit of fresh scenery.
This is a great place to start if you want to think out of the box. This blog will help you brainstorm revolutionary ideas for commercial playgrounds.
Top 7 Commercial Playground Trends
Before you rush into anything, let’s take a look at some of the most appealing trends:
Inclusive equipment:
Commercial playgrounds broadcast a visible shift towards inclusivity in the modern age. Contemporary times try to accommodate the needs of children and adults with disabilities, physical and mental. Playgrounds are meant to be safe spaces for all children. ADA regulations promote shock-absorbent surfacing, wide ramps, double-railed decks, seamless transitions, ADA-friendly swings, ground-level sensory panels, and solitary spaces.
Climbing structures:
Beyond a safe space, commercial playgrounds encourage kids to socialize and challenge their abilities. It boosts cognitive and physical development. Climbing structures are an efficient physical activity to ensure overall health development. Freestanding climbers, rocky walls, and monkey bars strengthen problem-solving, strength-building, balance, and gross motor skills in young minds. From a construction point of view, build climbers near entrances to connect slides and other play equipment.
Shade structures:
Urban areas don’t foster as much nature as small towns. This eliminates the natural shade of towering trees that commercial playgrounds should get. In this case, playground equipment providers also cover artificial shade structures. While vitamin D from the sun is necessary, excess heat exposure can cause overexertion and dizziness. Shade structures bring down the temperature of equipment, prolong its lifespan, create suitable conditions to play, and make it more aesthetic.
Co-existing structures:
Have you ever wanted to rewind time for a few moments at kids’ parks? The 21st century has taken care of this like a pro. Where children spend most of their time in school and daycares, simple activities like going to the commercial playground hold great value for the kids and the parents. This intergenerational equipment trend allows parents to spend quality time with their kids. Age-appropriate swings, suitable structures, and freestanding activities allow the two groups to bond.
Sensory stimulation:
Contemporary commercial playgrounds go beyond physical activities to sharpen kids’ senses. The five key senses are the foundation of a young mind’s perception, which develops better with external stimulation. Musical activities with textures, sounds, sights, shape panels, and vibrant playstations run the gears in children’s minds. This approach liberates kids to expand their creativity, intelligence, vigilance, and more.
Themed Playgrounds:
Adventures from Disney movies seem like an alternative reality, but not so much with themed commercial playgrounds. These are a portal to the world of imagination, whimsical fun, and otherworldly activities. Another plus point is that they include playground equipment for all ages and abilities. You can opt for an existing theme or develop one of your ideas. Customized themes bode well with brand-centric, location-specific, or idealized playgrounds.
Natural playgrounds:
Instead of a young concept, this is a centuries-old structure, and that’s where its richness comes from. With increasing modern choices, making nature-inclusive choices for kids is now more indispensable. Nature is welcoming to all, so this can be an excellent choice to build company-accessible playgrounds. Preserve a nature-centric theme in every piece of equipment like stackable rocks, tree-like structures to climb, massive stick-like tunnels, and water play structures for kids.
Why choose All Play Inc.?
At All Play Inc., our professionals await your vision of a company-accessible playground. With the expertise of an experienced team, you will be equipped with everything you need to build a lively playground. Share your ideas, budget, and a rough plan for us to turn it into reality. You can count on us for construction, designs, and installation from start to finish. Connect with the best commercial playground Houston team today to create the playground of your kids’ dreams.
Any school or park would not be complete without a playground. Children like swinging, sliding, and climbing as they use their imaginations to come up with new games to play. Protecting playground equipment during the winter is crucial to maintain it in good condition because it is exposed to all types of weather. 45% of playground injuries, including fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations, and amputations, are reportedly severe.
According to Welsh observational research, hazardous playground equipment was to blame for 90% of playground-related injuries necessitating emergency room visits. These alarming numbers require an effective form of winter playground safety measures, so kids and gear can stay safe all year long.
Winter, including snow, ice, and chilly temperatures, may batter playground equipment and hasten its wear, as people who reside in colder areas are aware. We’ve included a few excellent tips for maintaining your playground equipment so kids may use it for many years.
Guidelines for Winter Playground Upkeep
Here are some of the best tips you can follow to maintain your winter playground. Following these tips regularly and on time can ensure the ground’s well-being until the harsh climate has faded.
- Prevention is better than cure: At least 2 times a year, before the first snowfall and again in the spring, inspect your playground. Check the area for any loose hardware. Cleanse and empty the lines if you own any water play equipment. Some playgrounds contain loose toys and childcare facilities, particularly for infants and toddlers. Ensure they are ready to be used again in the spring, collect them all, and preserve them for the winter.
- Observe and be aware: Preceding a stormy period. Due to heavy traffic, leaves, and garbage, some of our clients regrade loose fill and perform the basic cleanup. If your surfacing is poured in situ, fill in any gaps or holes to prevent them from worsening due to the snow and ice.
- Protect any surfacing that has been poured in place: For the duration of the winter. Never apply anything corrosive to your playground surface, such as salt or sand. Use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one when it snows. And unless you have a snow blower model that allows you to modify the height, resist the urge to use one. They seriously damaged playground surfacing, which required astronomical repair costs.
- Effective use of canopies: Ensure that you have removed and stored your shade canopies. They are designed to withstand huge gusts of wind but would not be able to withstand heavy loads of snow. Hence to prevent an extra expense and save on a beautiful canopy, do not forget to remove the shade canopies and keep them in a cool, dry place where no weight would be put over them.
Final Thoughts
Playground solutions are available from All Play, Inc. to support kids’ exploration, learning, and development all year. With excitement and wonder in mind, we create cutting-edge playground equipment for children of all ages, inspiring them to interact with the outside world via play. Please choose one of our pre-designed play structures for your school or park, or work with our design team to develop a custom playground. Get in touch with us right away for playground solutions!
When it comes to installing a business playground, you have a lot of alternatives. You can choose between hiring a full-service commercial installer, a playground supervisor, or a playground yourself. We advise a commercial playground company to create a complete, professional commercial playground at your location to ensure the kids’ safety using the playground equipment there.
The experts in installing playground equipment will carefully assign priorities to the project and guarantee that the playground equipment is installed securely and safely. You have the choice of using your preferred installation methods. When you have the necessary experience in this field, you can also choose to have the installation done. Many schools with playgrounds may seek to upgrade their outdated equipment with newer models.
Why do you need to hire a professional commercial playground company?
Above all things, selecting a qualified commercial playground installation ensures that the playground will be installed and inspected by a group of Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. The playground company will collaborate with your team and your playground design consultant to plan the delivery, setup, installation, and final inspection of your commercial playground equipment, ensuring that it is installed to code and standards and looks beautiful.
A successful playground installation involves several different factors. The installation site must be prepared, all essential tools and equipment must be present, and all goods must be assembled and installed following manufacturer requirements. A professional commercial playground does keep check on all these factors.
Setting Up the Site
A professional commercial playground company ensures that the installation site is sufficiently large to contain the required safety usage zones to level the site, looking for subterranean utilities, and studying whether permissions are required.
Equipment
The installation of a business playground may call for a variety of tools and a commercial playground company will provide all the equipment necessary for the installation. Choosing a professional playground installation ensures that all necessary tools are present and prepared for usage.
Install safely
Kids safety is the first priority of any commercial playground company and therefore, a group of Certified Playground Safety Inspectors will assemble and install your playground equipment.
Conclusion
Kids need places to play, laugh, and develop, and therefore you need a professional commercial playground company who is aware of how to make these places. All Play Inc. ensures that these features are specialised playgrounds. With play systems, Houston playground equipment, and preschool playground equipment that is dependable, safe, and endlessly engaging, our skilled playground equipment builders specialize in turn-key installations for Texas playgrounds and play areas. All Play, Inc. provides the children’s outdoor playground where children adore and top-notch installation, design, and construction that pleases everyone.
Contact us immediately to eliminate the stress associated with installing your commercial playground or recreational equipment!
An outdoor playground may seem fun for children, but it is more than that. A kids outdoor playground teaches children how to socialize and develop their creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, reasoning, and more. It is essential for the physical as well as mental health of a child. A nicely equipped playground encourages kids to play while imparting important developmental skills. On the surface, playground activities like swinging, climbing, and sliding may seem “just fun,” but they start vital body systems to develop and work properly. Kids around playgrounds also enhances the vestibular system, the sensory system that governs balance and coordination.
How do different playground equipment aid in mental growth?
- Children can develop their senses by engaging in self-guided exploration on sensory play panels, which offer a variety of opportunities for children to develop their cognitive, tactile, sensory/motor, emotional/social, and language skills. They also encourage playtime with other kids and creative play.
- A child’s nervous system receives a wealth of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive stimulation from swinging as they discover how their bodies move in space and how much effort it takes to speed up or slow down.
- Children’s brains receive valuable, intricate vestibular information from multidimensional movements like spinning and rotating. Children can maintain proper body posture and balance while playing thanks to the connection between head and body position in space.
- Multiple senses, including vestibular, tactile, and preconception, are integrated during sliding. Children can slide back and forth on all sides of their bodies while rolling horizontally, stimulating their proprioceptive and tactile systems, applying deep pressure, and testing their upper body strength.
How playground enriches the physical health of children
Playgrounds are essential to healthy development because they give kids a place to work out their entire body, including their arms, legs, torso, and other muscles. The circulatory and cardiovascular systems are both nourished and improved by vigorous play. Children are more likely to enjoy outdoor activities like biking and walking when they play outside. Children have room to walk, jump, swing, and throw when they are outside. Kids can strengthen their bodies and improve their movement confidence by being allowed to test and push their physical limits. Some of the physical benefits are:
- It improves balance and flexibility in children.
- It improves hand-eye coordination, talent, and general motor skills.
- It provides the children with opportunities to practice movement control.
- Playing on the playground with other children develops better instincts in children.
- Playing promotes heart- and lung-healthy function in children and more powerful muscles.
- It enhances immune response because the body creates antibodies for all types of foreign bacteria.
- It reduces the risk of diabetes and obesity in children, which is very common in children in the US.
Conclusion
A good playground transition from being a luxury to a necessity once you fully understand the numerous life-changing advantages that play can have on a growing child. The best available and most entertaining kids outdoor playgrounds are available at All-Play. We only use strong, long-lasting materials that will stand out in your school, park, daycare, or neighborhood. To encourage inclusive for everyone, we also offer a variety of accessible playground equipment. Contact us to know more.
Playgrounds allow children to learn about their environment. The playground equipment teaches children how to interact with their peers, which is valuable for social development. It also helps them learn how to make decisions independently, which is crucial for cognitive development. The most important thing that playgrounds build by the playground equipment supplier teach kids is how to be safe in their environment. When they play with the playground equipment at school, they learn how to navigate spaces safely while having fun with friends. This skill will continue into adulthood when they start driving or walking alone through unfamiliar places to safely get from point A to point B.
Playgrounds also help in environmental growth as they are surrounded by plants and trees, which not only adds to the beauty of the place but also contributes to ecological development. Different types of playground equipment are available for children, such as sandboxes for digging, benches, swings, and slides that add to the greenery of the place.
How Do Playgrounds Make A difference?
Playgrounds help the children and adults stay close to nature while encouraging their appreciation of the environment. They also
The following factors make playgrounds essential for physical development:
Playgrounds Can Help Children Learn About Their Environment
The playgrounds are beneficial for the environment in many ways. It helps to reduce the number of carbon emissions produced by people and vehicles, which is very important since it contributes to global warming. It also helps to reduce noise pollution and air pollution by reducing the amount of traffic on roads.
Additionally, it can improve air quality by providing a place where children can play safely without having to worry about traffic or other dangers that may be present in their neighborhood.
Playgrounds Encourage Children To Be Active And Develop Their Motor Skills
Playgrounds are great for kids playing outside, which can help them become more physically active overall. When they’re running around, climbing up and down equipment, and interacting with other kids, they get a lot of exercises that are good for their bodies—and it’s fun!
Playgrounds Help Children Develop Social Skills, Like Taking Turns And Sharing
Playground equipment is also suitable for teaching kids how to make friends and healthily interact with others and nature. Kids learn that when you take turns playing with something together, everyone gets a turn! They also practice taking turns when playing games like tag or hide-and-seek on the playground.
Playgrounds Allow Children To Develop Their Imaginations And Creativity
Kids love to use their imaginations of nature’s environment while playing on the playground equipment—they’re pretending they’re riding horses on the slide or being pirates hiding from each other behind trees.
Choosing All Play Inc. as your primary playground equipment supplier is easy. Our team is experienced and knowledgeable, and we’ve done it all. We can help you find the perfect playground for your needs, and we will ensure that the equipment is installed correctly and safely, so that they endure for years to come.
The environment in which your child lives, plays, and learns, including the outdoor playground, is extremely important to their development. It’s normal to want the best for your children, but it’s not always easy to know what that looks like or how to get it. The right environment for kids can be defined by many things: healthy food, safe toys and activities, adequate sleep and exercise, positive role models, and much more. But how do you know what constitutes a good environment? The answer is more straightforward than it appears! All you need is a checklist.
We will walk you through some basic steps to help you identify if your kids outdoor playground environment is right for them or not.
Why is the environment a crucial model for the development of kids?
The outdoor playground environment significantly impacts how children develop. The physical, social and emotional environments all play a part in how children grow up, so it’s essential to consider how each factor can affect development.
Physical environment: What kind of home do you live in? Are there enough bedrooms for everyone? Is your neighborhood safe? Does it have good schools? All of these things matter when it comes to raising healthy kids.
Social environment: How much time do you spend with your family? Do they make time for each other every day? Can other adults help you be a good parent (like grandparents or babysitters)? The more people around you care about you and your family; the more your kids will be better off.
Emotional environment: This includes stress levels, moods, and attitudes toward parenting styles. Kids learn by example, so if you’re stressed out all the time or have a bad attitude toward parenting (or anything else), it’s going to rub off on them!
What are the steps to identify if your kid’s environment is good for them or not?
Identifying if your child’s outdoor playground equipment Houston environment is right for them or not is not an easy task. The first step is to determine what your child needs and wants and then consider whether the environment you’ve set up for them is in line with that.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Is my child’s room adequately equipped to meet their needs? Do they have enough space, and do they have a place to sleep? Does their room feel safe, private, and comfortable? Are there enough toys and books to keep them occupied while they’re home alone?
Do they have a place to play outside? Do they have friends around to help them stay occupied at work or out of town? Does the neighborhood feel safe to walk around in? Are parks nearby where they can play sports or hang out with other kids?
Does my child’s school offer enough relevant opportunities for their interests and skills? Do they get along well with their classmates, teachers, and administrators? Do they learn anything new every day?
Next, it’s crucial to determine what kind of kids outdoor playground environment would be best suited for your child. This means that you’ll need to research what kinds of environments have been shown to have positive outcomes for children with similar issues as yours. If there are no studies available, then it’s up to you!
Again, you can use your observations and knowledge of your child’s strengths and weaknesses to make inferences about what kind of stimuli might be helpful for them.
With the right kid’s outdoor playground environment, kids can be happier, healthier, and more successful. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on it—just a little time and effort.
If you’re interested in learning more about what makes a suitable environment for kids, check out All Play Inc. to understand better!
One of the most joyful activities for a kid is being able to play. For the holistic development of a kid, the playgrounds have crucial role in the kid’s life. Many parents do not allow their kids to stay outdoors for various reasons. But the overall development of a kid is possible by playing with their peers in the playground using playground equipment.
In this era of technology, kids often stay busy with various gadgets like mobile phones, video games, and television instead of playing. According to the Common Sense Media report, kids spent 15 minutes with their mobile phones in 2013. A kid spends an average of 48 minutes on a mobile phone which is very unhealthy. The same report also states that 42% of children aged eight years and younger have their own electronic devices.
Benefits of Playgrounds for Kids
Spending time in a playground with peers allows the kids to observe their environment and enhance their social skills. Many other benefits help the growth of a kid.
Build Self Confidence
When kids play in the playground using equipment like climbers, see-saws, swings, etc., they gain confidence every time they use this equipment successfully.
Allow to Have New Experience
When kids go out to play outdoors and meet new friends, they learn new things and gain new experiences almost daily. Many Houston playgrounds offer green spaces that allow the kids to have fun amidst nature.
Development of Cognitive Skills
Cognitive skill is the ability to think with the help of reasoning, memory, and processing speed of the brain. Problem-solving skill is also another essential cognitive skill. When kids are allowed to play in different situations, their cognitive skills develop. They can decide by using their aptitude.
Improve the Level of Concentration
When kids play in the playground, their level of concentration increases as they have to pay attention while playing. When they play using playground equipment, they pay full attention due to fear of getting hurt. It increases their concentration to a great extent.
Develop Curiosity
When kids experience a new environment and new people by playing in the playground, they get the chance to explore new things every day. Their curiosity develops whenever they experience new things.
Some Popular Playground Equipment
Different types of playground equipment can make playtime more enjoyable for the kids. Some of these are
See Saw
See Saw is a valuable piece of equipment that helps the child to understand the balance mechanism. It develops the cognitive skill when the kid has to keep the alignment with his peer sitting to his opposite. This is a standard playground equipment sales in Houston.
Climbing Equipment
This is another valuable piece of equipment also available in playgrounds Houston. This equipment helps to improve the balance and strength of the kid.
Slide
The slide is valuable playground equipment available almost in all playgrounds. Slides also help improve a kid’s body’s balance mechanism and strength.
Conclusion
Every kid should get the opportunity to spend some time playing in an open environment. Parents should also take time from their busy schedules to play with their kids. It will strengthen the bond between the parents and the child. We at Pro playgrounds offer a wide range of playground equipment to help you get a custom-designed playground. Contact us today to avail.
When you think about playground equipment, you probably imagine a colorful jungle gym with swings and slides or an obstacle course. But there’s more to it than that.
Preschoolers need to learn how to play well with others. That’s why preschool playground equipment includes structures like a sandbox and see-saw—to help kids learn how to share and take turns. They also need opportunities to interact with nature while being safe. That’s why there are often trees on the playground, which provide shade and help kids get some exercise!
What will the best playground equipment make kids happy at school?
Playgrounds are an essential part of any preschool. They help kids exercise and get their energy out, which is necessary for a healthy mind and body. Your school playground equipment in Houston should be safe, fun, and age-appropriate.
Here are some of our favorite playground supplies:
A swing set- Swings let kids hang upside down or sit comfortably while they enjoy the wind in their hair. Swing sets are available in various sizes and can accommodate many children simultaneously!
A see-saw- A see-saw is a great way to burn off energy while having lots of fun with friends! It’s also an excellent tool for practicing balance and coordination skills—which are very important when learning new things later in life!
A slide- Slides come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing is for sure—they’re always fun! Whether an old-fashioned slide made of wood or a sleek metal slide that looks like something from outer space, slides provide hours upon hours of entertainment for kids who love speed when climbing hills! Kids love these things so much that many schools have entire playgrounds dedicated solely to them.
A climbing wall- Climbing walls are great because they give kids’ hands and feet something fun to do while also allowing them to build up strength in those areas! Climbing walls come in all shapes and sizes depending on how much space there is in your facility, so be sure to measure out the amount of room you have before purchasing one.
Swings- Whether made from wood or plastic, swings are a great way to let kids fly their imaginations. Swings can be used in many ways and are fun for kids of all ages. They can be used to help children learn how to balance themselves while they are still in diapers and even up through elementary school!
The A-Frame Climber- This is one of the most famous pieces of equipment on any playground—and with good reason! It’s simple to set up, easy to use, and even the youngest kids can use it.
The Balance Beam- Balance beams are another classic playground for school Houston TX, but they’re not just for kids learning to walk! They can also be used as a stepping stone between two swings or other pieces of equipment (like an A-frame) to help kids build confidence in their feet while they develop fine motor skills in their hands.
The Tether Ball- If you’ve got a competitive kid on your hands (or just one who needs some extra encouragement), this is the perfect solution! It’s easy enough for little ones to use, but it offers enough challenge that older kids will have fun with it, too (and maybe even learn something).
When buying playground equipment, you want to ensure you get the best for your students. That’s why All Play Inc. is here-we have everything you need in one place.
Yes, the dreary winter season is still upon us here in southeast Texas, but the month of February still gives us plenty to smile about. (And no, we’re not talking about those delicious Valentine’s Day chocolates.)
For facility and recreational managers at parks, schools, churches and neighborhoods, February offers your community two reasons to get out and enjoy with your preschool playground equipment and other outdoor amenities:
February Is American Heart Month
Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 cause of death among both men and women in the United States, leading to 1 in every 4 deaths nationwide. The good news is that heart disease is highly preventable, and prevention starts with awareness.
The American Heart Association has declared February American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and how it can be prevented. This month offers a perfect opportunity to reach out to your community and encourage them to make heart-healthy choices, including increasing their physical activity. Of course, your kids outdoor playground and other outdoor amenities offer an ideal location for getting healthy exercise while enjoying fresh air and the chance to engage with others!
How you can celebrate:
- Host a community event where families can learn about heart disease prevention from local healthcare providers.
- Schedule a “heart walk” around your neighborhood that finishes with a party at your playground.
- Encourage young families to take advantage of nice-weather days (or at least non-rainy days) by taking the kids to your playground for some heart-healthy activity.
February Is Recreational Therapy Month
February is also National Recreational Therapy Month, sponsored by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. For people with illnesses or debilitating conditions, recreational therapy offers the opportunity to improve their psychological and physical health, recovery, and well-being through recreation and other activity-based interventions.
While not everyone has a condition requiring formal recreational therapy, this month offers an excellent opportunity to highlight the therapeutic benefits of activity even for healthy kids and adults.
How you can celebrate:
- Use your community newsletter, Facebook group, or other communications to remind your community that recreational activity can boost mood, improve sleep, and reduce stress.
- Host a “beat the winter blues” walk or fun run in your neighborhood to encourage families to get outdoors, even if the skies are gray.
- Remind your senior community members that physical activity can prevent disease, improve balance and stability, and increase life expectancy.
Wishing you and your community a happy, healthy February!
While families with children and young, active adults have traditionally been the target markets for community parks and recreational facilities, the “graying” of America is inspiring some bold new approaches. According to the most recent U.S. Census, 14.9 percent of the population in 2015 was age 65 or older, representing 47.8 million older adults. More of these seniors are choosing to “age in place” — remain in their homes of choice rather than transitioning to senior living facilities — which generates a greater demand for senior-oriented activities and services from local parks and rec facilities.
According to a recent survey by the National Recreation and Park Association, those demands are being heard loud and clear. Nine out of 10 agencies now dedicate programs, facilities, and programming to older adults. And 71 percent of those agencies characterize themselves as the leader or one of the leaders offering services and programming for older adults in their communities.
Diverse Services for a Diverse Group
While we tend to think of “seniors” as a single bloc, this demographic is actually a highly diverse group with an equally diverse array of needs and interests. According to the survey, parks and rec agencies are offering a varied slate of offerings for their senior patrons. Ninety-one percent of respondents offer exercise classes, and other offerings include
- Field trips, tours, and group vacations: 70%
- Arts & crafts classes: 67%
- Volunteer opportunities in rec centers: 58%
- Special events for seniors: 58%
- Group walks: 53%
- Volunteer opportunities in parks: 48%
- Employment opportunities (leading classes, etc.): 47%
- Group nature activities: 38%
- Cooking and nutrition classes: 36%
- Mentoring opportunities: 14%
Serving a Broad Age Range
While the U.S. Census defines “seniors” as those age 65 and older, parks and rec agencies are targeting their senior programs to those as young as 50. “This reflects not only the fact that older working Americans themselves have unique needs that park and recreation agencies can meet,” the report states, “but also represents an opportunity to keep these people connected with park and recreation after their children have left home and they may have become less active.” Forty-four percent of respondents have a minimum age of 50 for their senior programs, and 40 percent have a minimum age of 55.
Health and Wellness Rules
As seniors age, staying healthy and active becomes a priority, and parks and rec agencies are stepping in to help. Three-fourths of survey respondents offer one or more evidence-based wellness programs for older adults, including tai chi, fall prevention, diabetes prevention and self-management, and Arthritis Foundation programs.
Assessing the Demand
How do these agencies discover what older adults in their communities want and need from them? According to the survey, most respondents say they get direct response from current and potential users through
- Surveys of community members: 73%
- Target marketing and outreach: 60%
- Community engagement at senior housing communities: 33%
- Community engagement at faith-based organizations: 13%
To learn more about trends in senior programming among parks and recreation agencies, see the National Recreation and Park Association’s report Healthy Aging in Parks Survey
With vacations winding down and school starting up again, church activities will soon be in full swing, including children’s ministries. As you plan your activities for the first few weeks, keep in mind that the kids may be feeling a bit unsettled as they adjust to new schedules, new teachers, and possibly even new schools. You may also have some new kids in your class who moved to the area over the summer and who may be nervous about joining the group.
To help kids ease into the school year and build camaraderie, here are a few fun activity ideas:
Create a “Prayer Hands” Banner
This is a perfect activity for helping your kids “make their mark” as they begin a new school year. Get a large piece of fabric that’s thick enough to paint on. Let each child dip his or her hand into a paper plate of paint (make sure to use a paint that washes off easily) and make a hand print on the banner. Then let each child sign his or her name next to the hand print and write a short prayer for the class for the coming year. Hang the banner in your classroom and re-read the prayers at the end of the year.
Pack Backpacks for Kids in Need
Host a school supplies drive at your church and collect backpacks, pencils, notebooks, glue sticks, scissors, crayons and other items for kids in need. Have your class pack the backpacks while you talk about gratitude for the blessings you have and the importance of helping others. Let each child write a note for the recipient wishing them a good school year and slip it into the backpack.
Get Outside and Get Active
In addition to letting your class enjoy free play time on your kids outdoor playground, you can help them burn off some extra energy with classic outdoor games. Think hopscotch, Simon Says, jump rope/double dutch, Red Light-Green Light, Red Rover, and other time-honored activities.
Bring Bible Stories to Life
Divide the class into groups of three or four and let each group choose a Bible story to turn into a skit. Help them decide how to tell their chosen story; you might even bring a box of random items and let the kids exercise their creativity in creating costumes and props. When each group is ready, have them act out their skit for the class, and film it with your smartphone so that they can see their own performances.
Happy back-to-school season!
