Other Playground Equipment

Home- Swing sets

Other Playground Equipment to Discover

See-Saw (Teeter-Totter)

A seesaw, or teeter-totter as it is also known, is a long narrow board that is suspended from the middle. In order for the seesaw to function, two people must sit on it, one on each side. As one person pushes down on his feet, he will go up, as the other person goes down. Children have so much fun on this particular playground item, however, a disadvantage is that two people must use it in order for it to operate. Therefore, if you have it in your backyard, an only child may benefit from it only when he or she has friends over to play. Another disadvantage with this equipment is that if two people of vastly different weights were to sit on it, the heavier person could inadvertently force the smaller person off the seesaw when the heavier person suddenly hits the ground after jumping. As a result, seesaws should always be mounted above a soft surface such as wood chips or foam.

Merry-Go-Round

The spinning merry-go-round has been a favorite with children for decades. Children run while holding onto the bar, then they jump on the merry-go-round that has started spinning. Children love to hang onto the bar with one arm as their body spins in circles. (Some kids haven't quite figured out that the trick to preventing motion sickness is to move to the middle, thereby lessening the G-forces).

Ropes, Bridges and Tunnels

Climbing ropes, stationary and swinging bridges and tunnels are often found on playgrounds in parks and schools. Children enjoy running from one activity to another while hiding in a tunnel, climbing a rope or walking across a stationary or swinging bridge.

For Little Ones Only

Small children will enjoy hobby horse type toys which they can sit atop while holding onto the bars and rock back and forth. These horses (or other animals) are quite low to the ground and are meant for little ones only.

There are also special swing sets for little ones in which they can be placed in a bucket type seat through the little holes for their legs and both back and front support. With this design, they will not fall off the swing. These swings can be pushed back and forth like a regular swing, but will not go nearly as high.
 

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