Water Playground Equipment

In summer heat, water playground equipment is a refreshing way for kids to cool off. Splash pads keep families engaged for long periods of time and are a great addition to parks and other public spaces.

Children naturally love water play and it can help develop an early interest in science and math concepts. Watching objects float and sink, manipulating toys, and filling and emptying containers are all part of the fun.

Splash Pads

Splash pads, also known as interactive fountains, spray parks or water playgrounds, are small aquatic play areas that spray or jet water on people. They are ideal for community parks, new developments and multi-family complexes because they do not require the large investment of a pool. Splash pads are designed so that standing water does not form in the splash pad, which helps to prevent drowning and other injuries.

Some splash pads feature equipment like dumping buckets and nozzles that encourage kids to manipulate the water and get creative with their play. Other features, like ground jets that come up from the splash pad surface, offer a visually interesting way to create an architectural presentation of water in a safe, zero-depth facility.

Many splash pads feature motion or hand-activated sensors that turn the water features on for a limited time only, significantly reducing water use. These features are especially smart for communities with drought-sensitive areas or those concerned about water conservation.

Another benefit of splash pads is that they are much smaller than pools, and they only contain a few thousand gallons of water. That means less potential for bacteria, which is a major concern in water parks where children are often in diapers and can poop into the water. While all users should be reminded to shower before entering the water and check diapers frequently, it is important that splash pads meet all federal requirements for bathroom facilities nearby to prevent illnesses and injury.

Water Slides

Water slides are fun and exciting, and provide a unique sensory experience for kids. The climbing, sliding, and falling motions help to improve strength and balance, which are important for children’s development. Water slides can also encourage children to try new things and learn through experimentation.

The basic design of a water slide consists of a steep sloped wall with a running layer of water over it. This water acts as a lubricant and reduces friction between the slide material and the riders, so they move quickly down the slide. The water runs into either water playground equipment a plunge pool or a long run-out chute at the bottom. Some water slides are curved, which can add to the thrill and challenge of riding them.

Some water slides require riders to sit directly on the slide material, while others offer rafts or tubes for added safety and comfort. Body slides are typically the most dangerous, as they don’t offer any protection from impact with other sliders or the side of the water slide.

There are many types of water slides available to choose from, and kids love variety in their playground play. Whether it’s the mystery of a tunnel slide or the rush of a straight, fast slide, there’s sure to be a ride that every child will enjoy. When choosing a water slide, consider adding a vinyl tarp to the base to protect it from punctures and rough surfaces.

Lazy Rivers

The ultimate in laid-back water fun, lazy rivers are the ideal place to sit back on a pool float and let the current carry you around. They offer an easy, stress-relieving ride that can be enjoyed by all ages – and even by people with limited mobility. Plus, a lazy river’s gentle current can also help people exercise in a low-impact way that’s kind on the joints.

Lazy rivers are a staple at water parks and resort hotels, but they can be customized for residential areas as well. Because they are so popular, it’s important that lazy rivers function properly and are safe for all users.

The key is a propulsion system that can create the desired current. Many builders try to use standard pumps designed for pools, but these systems are often energy inefficient and have dead spots that slow the current down. On the commercial side, companies like Peter Davidson’s River Flow offer propulsion systems specifically designed for lazy rivers that are more energy efficient and create better flows in all sections of the river.

Other design elements that can help a lazy river operate at its best include steps placed in locations that align with the flow of the river, and avoiding putting them where the current is too strong – especially water playground equipment near rapids or whirlpools. And it’s always a good idea to leave an inner tube at the entrance of the river. Abandoned floats get stuck and can cause logjams that make it difficult for other swimmers to pass by.

Water Features

In a playground environment, where so much learning is often structured and curriculum-based, hands-on water play provides a real-world opportunity for children to experiment, discover, and learn through play. Splash pads – also called immersive fountains, wet plazas or water playgrounds – are one of the hottest new trends in outdoor play, and for good reason.

In addition to cooling kids off on hot days and creating a vibrant cityscape, these interactive water features offer a variety of cognitive and social benefits for young people. For instance, experimenting with objects that sink or float helps build problem-solving skills, and exploring how different spray patterns and water pressures affect the movement of a waterfall or a river encourages engineering exploration.

A stepping water feature is another way to create an innovative and immersive aquatic playground. These are typically set up to resemble the top of stairs or a paved walkway, with a waterfall or spout located in a large basin at the base of the staircase or walkway. Water then runs down the steps or stairwell and is pumped back up to the top of the structure.

More elaborate splash parks add above-ground elements like flower showers, dumping buckets and shooting water cannons to give kids an opportunity to interact with the water above ground level as well. Some feature a mix of ages-specific zones, while others are designed for a broad age range and can be used by the whole community.