Creating playgrounds that boost children’s health

Including line markings on school playgrounds can increase students’ activity levels

Key Findings

Adding markings, such as hopscotch and sports lines, to school playgrounds is a cost-effective way to significantly increase physical activity levels among primary school students.
Play structures, like swing sets, sandpits, and climbing equipment, can increase active play in schools and nurseries. To be effective, they must be engaging and suited to local children's interests, as no single design fits all.
Incorporating greenery into playgrounds — such as by replacing paved or asphalt areas with grass — can offer social and mental health benefits, and may increase activity levels.

Source*

Schipperijn, J., Madsen, C.D., Toftager, M. et al. (2024) The role of playgrounds in promoting children’s health – a scoping review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 21, 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-024-01618-2

*All evidence briefs are informed by one or more peer reviewed research studies. All study publications used to inform this article are listed at the bottom of this brief with links.

a basketball court with numbers painted on it

Image: Caitlin W from Getty Images

Rachael Smith

24 Oct 2024

What's this about?

Creating engaging playgrounds can boost activity levels, mental wellbeing, and social play, if they are designed with the needs of local children in mind.

Designing engaging school playgrounds can increase active play in children, boosting both physical activity and social interactions.

With a decrease in outdoor play and a global concern about children’s activity levels, researchers examined existing studies on playground use and its health benefits.¹

They analysed 247 studies from around the world and found that playground markings, play structures, and greenery all help create engaging playgrounds that support children’s health.

Adding playground markings to schoolyards is a low-cost way to increase physical activity among primary school students. These markings could be game-related (e.g., hopscotch), educational (e.g., clock faces), mazes and trails, or include a fantasy element, for example, dragons. Adding loose equipment, such as balls and hula hoops, alongside markings also helps increase active play in some cases.

Notably, markings do not have the same impact on all students. In early years settings for example (ages 2-5 years), providing more space per child is more effective than markings in promoting active play.

Play structures like swing sets, sandpits, and climbing equipment can enhance active play for children of all ages. However, no single structure appears universally effective. Instead, success depends on the specific interests of the children involved. Given the costs associated with installing these structures, many schools may require additional funding or innovative solutions to implement related changes.

The research, from the University of Southern Denmark, also highlights that adding greenery, such as grass, to playgrounds can boost physical activity and social interactions among primary school children. One study noted that replacing pavement with grass increases activity levels among girls in particular.²

In early years settings, greenery not only increases independent play and social behaviours but also is associated with reduced stress, boredom, and injury.³ However, the impact of greenery on physical activity for younger children is mixed; while functional greenery like hills and grass can encourage active play, aesthetic changes like adding plants can limit space and reduce activity.⁴

Research Toolkit

How can this research help you?

Key findings

ADD MARKINGS: Adding markings to school playgrounds can increase primary school students’ physical activity.
ASSESS PLAY STRUCTURES: If feasible, renewing or adding play structures (e.g., swing sets, sandpits, and climbing equipment) can promote active outdoor play, but these must be inclusive to engage all local children.
INTRODUCE GREENERY: Increasing greenery can positively impact children’s mental wellbeing and sometimes enhance their physical activity.
CONSIDER WAYS TO INCREASE SPACE: If possible, offering more space per child can help encourage active play in children under 5 (e.g., by staggering break times or making use of nearby parks).

What Else

GEAR UP TO GET ACTIVE: Providing equipment for free play, such as balls and skipping ropes, can help increase physical activity and encourage children to play together.
MAKE SMART RENOVATIONS: An effective playground renovation should begin with an assessment of the current setup to ensure new play structures add variety and provide new opportunities for children not already catered for.
CONSIDER SAFETY FIRST: Researchers highlight that negative health outcomes such as injuries, bullying, and environmental risks (e.g., pollution and sun exposure) also need to be studied.
CELEBRATE PLAYGROUND POWER: Regular playground use can enhance children’s physical activity and stimulate social interaction. Schools and local authorities can be confident that investing in the design and maintenance of engaging school playgrounds can support children’s overall health and well-being.