We Speak Playground

May Recreation recently had the privilege of working with Johnson Development on the new Jordan Ranch master-planned community in Fulshear, Texas. The custom playground design we helped plan and build for the community is a mix of some of our favorite components and structures, offering a wide range of activities in which children can indulge.

Playgrounds have been around for a while now. History has it that the first playground was made somewhere around the 1850s in England. Time went by, and there was no change in them. Visit any playground today, and you’re most likely to find a teeter-totter, climbers or a slide that were trendy back in the day when you were still a kid. There may seem to be no change, but you’ll be surprised at just how much these fun spots have transformed over the past few years.

Over the last 20 years, due primarily to the enactment of No Child Left Behind in 2002 and the adoption of 2010's Common Core State Standards, test scores have become increasingly more important for schools in the United States. Sadly, uninterrupted and unstructured playtime in the form of recess has simultaneously become increasingly more rare.

Sure they're fun to visit and beautiful to look at, but the benefits of your neighborhood's parks and playgrounds go far beyond their recreational and aesthetic features. Here are 10 important contributions they make to your community’s well-being.

Since time began, children have had a unique relationship with water. While adults view water as a source of life or as a source of food, kids see water as a way to have fun. Water play has evolved over the years, but it remains a wholesome, healthy activity for kids around the world.

Summer is here and the heat is unrelenting. It's important for kids to spend time outdoors playing, but it's also challenging when the heat index is so high. 

For a limited time only, save up to 40% off with FREE freight* on play equipment for parks, schools and recreation areas.

Readily accessible digital entertainment devices and programs have played a major role in making modern kids more sedentary than ever before. Without regular physical activity, kids face an elevated risk of developing mental and physical health problems. National Physical Fitness and Sports Month aims to reverse this trend by helping kids learn that sports and other physical activities are truly fun and rewarding. Here are 7 activities your kids can enjoy to celebrate this important month of fun.

Childhood obesity has hit an all-time high. The CDC reports that almost one out of every five school-aged children suffers from obesity. Obesity carries with it a plethora of negative consequences for kids. These include problems with self-esteem, health issues, reluctance to socialize, and more. Of course, no parent wants to see a child suffer from being out of shape, let alone obese. Even so-called normal-weight children often don’t get enough exercise. With the abundance of passive playthings like computers, tablets and cell phones, children are even less likely to get the amount of exercise that they need to thrive and grow.

Now there are more reasons than ever to encourage your kids to play outside all year round. Did you know that outdoor play boosts your child’s allergy immunity? It’s true! Find out why being in the outdoors is such a great idea, particularly for children who suffer from allergies.