Playgrounds and playground equipment can provide hours of entertainment for children of all ages. There are especially liked due to the fact they usually involve apparatus which children cannot play with at home. Playgrounds are no longer limited to just a simple jungle gym or outdoor climbing frame, sandpit and slide but come in a huge variety of shapes, colours, textures and there is even musical equipment!

There are five main categories of playground equipment; sliding, spinning, balancing, hanging and climbing. The best playgrounds use a combination of these to provide children with a multitude of different stimulus which helps them to learn a variety of skills. Playground equipment suppliers can usually help you decipher which products will provide a great combination of apparatus to ensure all skills are catered for. Play equipment is a fantastic way for children to learn skills such as coordination and balance in a safe environment, in their own time and under no pressure.

Sliding equipment or slides are the traditional part of the playground and include both individual slides and add-ons to any sort of jungle gym or climbing frame. Nowadays the more popular slides include everything from bumpy, curvy and twisty slides as well as ones topped with a tunnel. As one of the most popular pieces of playground apparatus, it is essential piece for any good playground.

Spinning equipment has dramatically changed from the old style carousels which could be dangerous to a new style which involves a standing platform and central pole which children can stand on and spin. There are also large discs with a dip in the middle that children can sit on and spin. These are brilliant for children to learn how to control weight distribution and can be used both individually and within a group.

Balancing apparatus is now available in a huge variety of options which combine a number of skills. From the traditional rope bridge and balance beam, to far more challenging spring discs and swinging logs. These are traditionally used in playgrounds for schools but are available for local parks and play areas as well.

Hanging apparatus usually conjures up memories of those hours spent trying to master the monkey bars as a child. Monkey bars remain one of the most challengin 1000 g pieces of playground equipment and are now available in a variety of lengths of solid bars, swinging trapeze, parallel bars and up and over bars. These pieces of equipment help children build up their upper body strength as well as providing a sense of achievement once they have completed them.

Climbing playground equipment is by far the most popular type of apparatus. Climbing frames remain one of the most popular pieces due to their vast variety of shapes, sizes and challenges. From the traditional jungle gym to the web climbers, rock climbing walls and net traverse, there is something to keep children constantly entertained as well as helping them exercise without knowing it!

It is essential to take some time to consider what you wish to provide through a playground and plan out the area before you start to buy equipment. It is also recommended to purchase from a leading UK playground equipment supplier to ensure the quality of apparatus is high and tested against British safety standards. Companies will usually assist you in the planning of your area covering everything from the correct playground surfaces to use which will combine well together through to comprehensive playground design.

By: Katie Adido Stockbridge

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

About Playforce: Playforce are a leading playground equipment supplier UK supplier specialising in the design and installation ofoutdoor climbing frame for schools. Here at Playforce we aim to help you design your perfect play area to suit your particular needs and create a stimulating and exciting outdoor playground.

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The obesity in children is now at an alarming rate in many developed countries.In the United States and Australia one in three children are considered to have a weight problem.

Many of these children are under 6 years of age and a lifetime trend has set in already.This health issueof obesity in children is,as we know, attributed to fast food,sedentary life style in front of the TV and the issues of child safety which in today’s world does not give the child the freedom of movement without supervision. In the old days a child could walk to shcool unacompanied or ride their bikes without fear of interference or even abduction and so the world has changed and is a factor in the obsetiy of children.

Just how much Telelvison to children watch today? There are estimates as high as 5 hours and if you add to that computer use you have the electronic child of the 21st century who sits in fixed position with the only movement being their right hand to manage the control to select a program or an internet connection.

One terrifying study in obesity in children has predicted that cardiovascular diseases in the adult of the child today will increase dramatically. High blood pressure,type two diabetes,are on a dramatic rising curve with evidence showing that 75% of  children overweight at 10 years of age will be obese or morbidly obese as adults.

Tips for parents

You can be a posistive example. If you as the parent live the sedentary lifestyle then dont expect much different from your children. Children learn from watching not from being told. So a family that goes outdoors and plays is a great teaching for any child as they grow up.

Give them active toys and equipment, and take them to places where they can be active.

Are you an encourager by giving positive reinforcement for any of your child’s action activities? This is not about "you must win" type encouragement but "its fun to particpate" sort of encouragement.

The parent who  is locked into the win model for their children do not serve them well and can even create resentment towards physical activity where the child always feels they are not good enoght.So make any physical activity fun.

How about some controls on the time your child spends in front of the TV? This is one simple method to help your child want to explor other ways of spending time. The child who is left theie own resources after school and on weekends will auto gratitate to the TV and computer. So put some rules in place and monitor them with rewards and some losses if they are not followed.

Lastly and most important of all is to provide the sort of outdoor equipement that is fun and exciting where children just love to work out on . Outdoor playhouses. the old fashioned tree house where the imagination of the child can be let loose.Inflatable slides and castles for the youngest children,swings and monkeybars. Yes there some costs but not nearly as much as the cost os the overweight child who becomes the obese adult

Leonard Greenhall copyright 2010

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Having a toddler can be among the most fulfilling and frustrating experience as a parent. The toddler stage is usually the most hyper stage of every child, and you will most likely see your toddler spend most of their days bouncing, climbing, running around, wrecking havoc any way they can. However, this is an integral stage for your child to grow into a physically able and smart youngster, so you must invest in toys that will improve your toddler’s mental as well as physical skills.

The best toys to improve your two year old’s physique is through toddler climbing blocks. There are plenty of choices to choose from— hundreds, in fact. Having a wide range of options can be very confusing, thus this article will help narrow down your search by giving you the best toddler climbing blocks available:

Baby Nuts and Bolts Climber by Children’s Factory is a spectacular toy and a favorite among toddlers. It’s bright, it’s colorful, and it’s 100% safe. It has all the features for your child to climb on and through, such as ramps, bumps and tunnels. It’s totally made of foam thus making it perfectly safe for babies and toddlers.

Guidecraft School Bus is a themed climbing toy designed like a school bus. This toy is perfect for kids who cannot wait to go to school. Each bus comes with multilevel decks, slide and steps. Role playing is highly encouraged! And if school buses aren’t your baby’s thing, then your child might love fire engines! Becoming a fireman is among every child’s dream job, and with monkey bars, steps, and decks in the Guidecraft Fire Engine, your child will surely enjoy being a firefighter!

Another great climbing toy from Children’s Factory is the Climb and Slide Center. The toy is more toddler focused than Nuts and Bolts Climber, and not recommended for infants. This toy is perfect for toddlers 2 to 4 years of age, and is also made of foam thus making it perfectly safe. It is also colorful and made of green, yellow, red and blue climbing blocks. It has two available ramps with steps. Your child will surely be entertained for hours.

One of the best toddler climbing blocks is definitely Phuzone’s Playground Climbing Structure. The climbing structure comes with a Ball Pit and Slide, creating a totally enjoyable experience for your toddler! At the same time, it doesn’t forget the value of safety—the toy is completely made of thermoplastic tubes, panels and connectors. Unlike wood or metal, thermoplastic does not rust or splinter, making it safe to play.

Interactive toddler climbing blocks like The Climb and Crawl Caterpillar are great for young ones, for it is soft, save and moves along with you as you wiggle through.

If you are still undecided, compare toddler climbing blocks by visiting toddler climbing blocks. Be sure to choose a toy with plenty of features so there will be plenty of play options, providing your toddler hours and hours of physical fun.

Leonard Greenhall copyright 2009

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Technorati Tags: outdoor toddler climbing, toddler climbing blocks, toddler climbing frame, toddlers outdoor toys

Most parents want to keep their toddlers physically fit—but can’t bear imagine leaving them outside. There are plenty of dangers outside such as strangers, accidents and falls because it is not as controlled as the indoor environment. Thanks to indoor soft climbing toys toddlers, however, your kids can have just as fun and activity indoors! Plus, they can be totally safe inside, with constant supervision of parents, older siblings and baby sitters.

When you want to get indoor soft climbing toys toddlers, you will have to make sure that there is sufficient space for these toys. When possible, allocate a ‘play room’ for your kids, so they can jump, prance and climb all they want. With a play room, you can let go of fears of your kids’ playing might break precious fragile items in the room.

To make your play room your child’s ultimate adventure land, here are a few soft climbing toys toddlers sure to give your toddler a real great time:

• Bungee Forests – It gives a jungle feel, so your toddler can role play and pretend that he’s Indiana Jones and the whole place is a scary rainforest. The toy is made of pads and cushions so it is safe to play even for younger kids.
• Toddler Play Area – Used to separate younger kids (ages three to six), this indoor play area is made of soft materials so as not to hurt raunchy toddlers when climbing, crawling and sliding. Adult supervision is not as constantly needed for it is a very safe game and chances of getting accidents or injuries are close to none. Not only will this improve your toddler’s physical abilities but also improve their mental and concentration skills as well.
• X Changer – The X changer is one of the indoor soft climbing toys toddlers will surely enjoy. It is more of a puzzle, where the kids can set up in a number of ways. There is no right way of doing it, so your children can have fun with it. Plus it develops your child’s strategic thinking abilities. Absolutely safe and no scope of injuries possible because it is padded and cushioned.
• Bouncy castle – Your toddlers will love jumping up and down inside this inflatable and colorful bouncy castle. It can go from 10 ft to 18 ft and can accommodate plenty of children at the same time. Bigger kids and adults can join in on the fun too!
• Ball pool – It is of course a pool, and instead of water, is filled with thousands of colorful balls. This is a favorite among children especially within ages three to six.

These are just a few examples of soft climbing toys toddlers will love. When purchasing these toys, do not get enamored by the colors or cartoon characters featured in the toy. When it comes to your child, safety must be first in mind. Always follow the suggested age on the toy. Get toys that are durable and soft, especially if they are for your toddler. These toys will go through several drops, tosses, throws and kicks, so make sure that they are able to withstand to that. Leonard Greenhall copyright 2009

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