Start with a needs assessment
Before we draw a thing, we get clear on who the playground is for and what it has to achieve. The brief shapes every decision that follows — so it's worth getting right.
We'll talk through the ages and abilities of the children using it, how many you expect at peak times, and the role the space needs to play — quiet sensory area, active hub, destination drawcard, or all three.
- Age groups and abilities (including inclusive access for all children)
- Expected capacity at busy times
- Available space, ground levels, drainage and existing trees
- Sun and shade through the day, and natural sightlines for supervision
- Budget — and whether the project can be staged over time
Design for real play value
The best playgrounds layer different kinds of play so there's something for every child, and a reason to keep coming back. We build in graduated challenge — easy wins for the timid, and harder elements that stretch the confident.
- Physical play — climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing
- Social play — spaces that bring children together
- Sensory and imaginative play — panels, music, themed elements
- Quiet and restorative spots, not just high-energy zones
- Inclusive, ground-level activities so no child is left watching
See it before it's built
You'll receive free 2D layouts and realistic 3D concepts of your playground, complete with equipment specifications and a clear, fixed-price quote. It's far easier to refine ideas on screen than after installation, so we welcome feedback and revisions until it's right.
How much space to allow
Every piece of equipment needs a clear impact-attenuating area around it (its fall zone), so the footprint is always larger than the equipment itself. As a rough starting point:
- Toddler / early-years setting: from about 6m × 6m (≈36m²)
- Primary-school multi-activity system: around 10m × 8m (≈80m²)
- Council or destination playground: 200m²+
- Allow roughly 1.5–2m of clear fall zone around most equipment
Where the budget goes
A playground budget isn't just equipment. Site preparation, compliant softfall surfacing, delivery, installation and certification all form part of the picture. Knowing this early helps you plan realistically — and it's exactly why we quote fixed prices that spell out what's included. If the full vision is beyond this year's budget, we'll design it to be built in stages.