Safe & Sound

These designs offer greater challenges that might feel like bigger risks, but in reality children are using the equipment as intended while remaining safe.

For parents and caregivers, it’s a natural sentiment to want to “bubble wrap” the kids before unleashing them on the playground. And in fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that each year in the U.S., more than 200,000 children go to hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment, with nearly 80% of these injuries being caused by falls. But most parents also understand that risk is important for a child’s growth.

“Providing challenging play opportunities is vital for children’s physical development,” said Randy Watermiller, vice president of product development for a Delano, Minn.-based company that designs and manufactures playground spaces and equipment. He explained that ensuring a balanced and safe play environment requires recognizing and eliminating hazards from equipment and surrounding use zones. “This approach allows for both safe play and skill building, enabling children to enjoy fun, engaging play while developing and learning through their experiences.”