Keeping kids away from harm is what parents are imposed to do as they take care of their children. Incorporating this viewpoint to today’s age, the constant fears of parents are growing deeper.

The information technology, such as uses of gadgets, has unleashed a capability that people have never taken advantage of before. However, other people have used this advantage to shame other parents based on uncontrollable incidents or pressure.

The fear has produced new safety rules clearly noticed in playgrounds. Gone are the high slides, climbers, and ropes where children can have a fun workout through free play. These types of equipment we were so used to before transformed into the same type of plastic swing sets and slides all around — the ones that only had safety in mind and removing excitement and experience in the equation.

Critics argued on the concerns of harm being inflicted by playgrounds, explaining that these claims are overstated, according to City Lab. A white paper was able to raise questions regarding the “safe” playground designs being imposed:

1. Are these playground designs able to foster creativity, independence, and problem-solving?
2. How to calculate risks? And until what is the limit?
3. How about alternative play spaces? How will it look like? And will the benefits affect every child?

Tim Gill, a London-based researcher and advocate who authored the white paper called Playing it Safe?, said: “The take-home message for municipalities is: Stop setting your bar at the level of the most anxious parent. If you do that, you’re guaranteed to produce boring and dull playgrounds.”

“If you set your bar at the level of the average parent or maybe even at the level of the parents … who do want some more excitement and challenge in their kids’ lives, then, things start to look different,” Mr Gill added.

Despite these safety precautions, there are playgrounds going against this. It has already been proven that play is essential to the day-to-day life of a person, especially during their younger days. Actually, doctors recommend at least 60 minutes of play daily to help a child properly develop different aspects of their well-being — physical, social, and psychological — and help them reduce the risk of obesity and other diseases while developing a positive approach in life.

With this, adventure playgrounds are taking the spotlight. But, what’s an adventure playground anyway?

Adventure playgrounds are special playgrounds made for children. It comes in different forms, such as “natural playgrounds” and “junk playgrounds”. Basically, adventure playgrounds are on the other side of the spectrum of the “safe playgrounds” being promoted today since it has the ethos of unrestricted play, the presence of playworkers, and absence of rigid play-structures.

Bringing indoor playgrounds into the table, there are indoor adventure play areas available but still prioritize safety in order for the kids to continue the fun all day long. Here’s how to know the safety in indoor adventure playgrounds:

• The presence of playworkers — they are the ones monitoring and roaming around the area to help parents and children in the play equipment and to ensure safety within the area.
• Rules — every area has rules to follow in order to avoid injuries.
• Floor mats and pads — these mats and pads are responsible for absorbing impact from kids when they fall in order to lessen the risks of falls and trips
• Age restrictions — there are areas that only a certain age group can play with. These areas have labels in order to inform parents if their children can have access or not.

Deviating from the norm sometimes can be good or bad. But in the case of play areas, steering away from the usual “safe playgrounds” being considered due to the constant fear can develop into a more in-depth play approach that allows children to become hands-on in their activities.

In starting commercial playgrounds that promote adventure and excitement, it is best to get the help from a trusted indoor playground equipment manufacturer to ensure safety within the equipment installed. iREC designs, manufactures and installs quality indoor playgrounds, and family entertainment centers that have safety and fun as the top priority. Start the fun and we’ll help you through the process. Call +63 47 250 2779 or email sales@irec.ph for more information.