We Speak Playground

Children and playgrounds have gone hand-in-hand since the first playground appearance in the United States in 1886. Unfortunately, today, kids are opting for more screen time than in-person play, some spending as much as seven hours a day on tablets or smartphones once they reach the teen years. Some children even as young as six months are using screen time in place of physical play.

Unfortunately, this propensity to replace physical outdoor play with inside screen time means kids are not getting their recommended 60 minutes a day engaging in physical activity—based on the United States Department of Health and Human Services daily recommendations. Thankfully, there is a way to make playgrounds more appealing, even to the modern generation and break them away from electronic play, getting them outdoors.

With the holiday season fast approaching, it also marks the time of year when charitable causes begin their respective donation drives. With lots of charities to choose from, many individuals and businesses usually narrow down their choices to a few select causes they find worthy. But as a charitable organization, are you reaching out to these businesses and individuals in the right way? In this post, we'll focus on some simple rules to live by when it comes to raising funds for your charity this year to set your drive up in the best possible way for success. Here's a closer look at these four rules and how to use them to your advantage:

Getting your playground project up and running requires funding from donors in one form or another. If you are struggling with finding ways to engage with donors, consider the following four methods. Each one requires its own unique set of processes to implement, but they are all equally powerful ways to fund your playground project.

Having a playground in your neighborhood provides a safe space for children to get outdoors, socialize and get the body moving in active play. However, most people don't have the ready funding to have one built in their community. While hosting bake sales and other fundraising events can bring in the neighbors who will give donations, another way to get the funding for playgrounds is to find grants.

Kids of all ages enjoy having a place to play and commune with others, and playgrounds should be designed to meet those needs safely. Long gone are the days of rusty swings, unforgiving ground surfaces and hard equipment that youngsters can get hurt on easily. Today, a modern playground will feature equipment with safety surfacing materials, ample shade and appropriate ground cover that helps prevent injuries. Here are some safety aspects that should be considered when developing, constructing or renovating a playground.

If your playground is starting to show its age, consider adding a few modern pieces to breathe new life into the space. By simply changing the ground cover or installing new equipment, you can update your playground without performing a full overhaul. But first, you must dream up your perfect playground space. Use the following elements to guide your vision and get thinking about modernizing your playground. 

You want a playground that gives everyone a chance to learn and have fun outdoors. However, some children with physical or intellectual limitations have a harder time navigating a traditional play structure than others. That’s why it’s important to make a few simple changes to ensure all children have a great time at recess. Check out these five tips for making school playgrounds more inclusive.

Protecting outdoor spaces can allow people of all ages to enjoy recreational activities, athletes to participate in sporting events, allow businesses to provide products and services, and offer other amazing benefits. In addition to warding off the rain, a shade structure also provides important protection from the hot sun and damaging effects of the ultraviolet light. Here are some great places where you can use a shade structure.

Shade structures protect both your playground equipment and your guests from the sizzling summer sun. And if you make the right choices, they look as cool as they feel.

Adding a fantastic play structure to your Texas church, school or park is easy thanks to our wonderful May Recreation team. However, one of the biggest hurdles most of our clients have to overcome is funding. Thankfully, there are many options out there. Here are five amazing resources for finding funding for your playground project.