Every child deserves a playground that lets them play freely and safely, but not all playgrounds are up to that standard! Great playgrounds spark creativity, build social skills, and do so safely.
It’s easy to miss things like loose bolts, worn surfaces, or splinters, especially in older playgrounds. This checklist will help you spot common safety risks and hazards, so you can create a safer space for tamariki to play.
1. Check for unstable equipment
Over time, even the most well-built play structures can start to wobble, but some poorly installed frames might do so sooner than others. You might notice a climbing frame that shifts slightly when kids run across it, or a swing set that leans just a little to one side. Far from harmless quirks, these are signs that the equipment could fail under pressure. We don’t want that!
Every piece of equipment should feel sturdy and immovable while it’s being used. All posts should be firmly anchored, and connections between materials should be tight and secure, without providing harmful pinch points. If you notice any wobbles, arrange a repair or replacement right away, and keep kids off it until it’s safe.
2. Assess the safety of the surfacing
Kids fall. It’s part of play! But what they fall onto makes a massive difference. If your playground has concrete, compacted dirt, or worn-down grass beneath high-climb areas, even a small slip can turn serious fast.
Safe playground surfaces are vital here. We favour impact-absorbing materials like bark, sand, artificial turf with shockpad, rubber tiles, or poured-in-place rubber to help cushion falls and reduce any injuries. Soft-fall zones should also extend beyond the equipment itself. Generally speaking, about two metres in every direction is a good rule of thumb, however, check with your playground provider if you’re unsure. With natural play spaces like the ones we design, natural cushioning is the perfect way to make these zones safer without breaking up the landscape.
3. Look out for pinch points or entrapment hazards
Next on our playground safety checklist: pinch zones. Older playgrounds often include equipment with spaces and gaps that weren’t designed with the safety of small hands and heads in mind. These can quickly become traps for curious kids, especially their fingers, limbs, or even heads. A gap that seems harmless enough to adults could be very dangerous for a child determined to squeeze their way through.
This is why modern playgrounds should avoid entrapment risks like this. Playscape does this by regulating the size of any openings in line with national playground safety standards. We pay special attention to ladder rungs, climbing nets, and platform railings.
4. Identify trip hazards or uneven surfaces
Texture and variety in a natural playground help kids connect with the outdoors and experience different play materials. But poorly placed obstacles or uneven paths can pose real dangers. Even small things, like exposed tree roots or lifted rubber mats, can become tripping hazards, especially in high-energy play areas where kids are running or chasing each other.
The trick is to find a balance. Smooth, even pathways and surfacing should be the norm throughout, and all joins between surfaces should be flush and well-maintained. Any obstacles introduced for the sake of play should be clearly visible and have cushioning if kids can climb, swing or balance 600mm high or more.
5. Make sure you have clear visibility for supervision
One thing that’s often overlooked in playground design is clear visibility. Are there spots where kids can duck out of view? Are there tall structures or sheds that completely block your line of sight while supervising? In any group play session, fast and clear supervision makes an enormous difference.
That’s why all playgrounds should be designed with open sight lines, so you and other supervisors can clearly see kids no matter where they are. Ideally, one adult should be able to stand in a central spot and get a clear view of all major activity zones.
Build a space that’s safe to play and explore for tamariki
There you have it! The top five entries on our playground safety checklist. By focusing on these five crucial elements, you can seriously reduce risk for the kids in your care. Every play space has its quirks, especially the older ones. But the key is knowing what to look for and acting when things don’t meet the mark.
At Playscape, imagination has no rules. Our team designs natural-looking playgrounds that blend with your space, encouraging kids to explore, learn, and feel at home in the outdoors! If you’re seeking a safe, nature-inspired space anywhere in New Zealand, the team at Playscape is here to help. Get in touch to book a design consultation today.
