Ahh, the playground!
Memories of childhood fun and laughter come flooding back whenever I think back to my youth. Speeding down slides, nearly toppling swing sets, pushing merry-go-rounds to the limit! Good times.
Most of us have some awesome memories at the playground! But do any of us know what any of the stuff we used to play on was called? What are your favorite playground equipment names?
Of course, swing sets and see-saws ring a bell for most of us, but what about the rest of the stuff? Have you ever been to the playground and just wondered, “What the heck is that thing called?”
Yea, we all have.
Or maybe you used to know the name of your favorite childhood playground equipment, and now you just can’t recall it. Whatever your reason for wanting to know the names of playground equipment, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the most common playground equipment so that you’re no longer at a loss for words on your next trip to the playground.
Now the next time your kid asks you, “What’s this thing called?” you’ll be able to answer with authority! And you’ll impress all the other parents!
Now just to be thorough, we’ll still cover the basics. Don’t want to leave anything out!
If you want to add playground equipment to your backyard, here are the bestsellers to consider.
12 Common Playground Equipment Names
From monkey bars to seesaws, discover the names of all types of playground equipment and how they can spark creative play!
1. Swing Set
The swing set is pretty much a no-brainer. However, not wanting to leave out a classic, I couldn’t compose a list of playground equipment without it.
As far back as the 5th Century B.C, paintings have been found with women and children swinging on swings. Needless to say, swings have been around for a very long time, and really haven’t changed a lot in terms of what they do.
The swing is probably the most iconic figure of outdoor play and without it, no playground would be complete.
Swing sets today are available in both wood and metal, each having its own sets of pros and cons. But regardless of what the swing set is made of, they provide just as much fun today as they did when I was a kid.
2. Slides
The earliest known playground slide in America was erected in Washington, DC between the years 1902 and 1903. Since then many different types of slides have come about including spiral, wave, tube, and drop slides.
I’m sure you all remember the old-school slides made of metal that would scorch the back of your legs on a hot day.
Well, today, most of them are made of heavy-duty plastic, so not only are they a lot cooler to the touch, you won’t receive 3rd degree burns when you use them during the summer.
Like the swing set, slides are iconic to the typical playground. And as the old adage goes, the bigger the better!
3. Merry-Go-Round
This piece of playground equipment goes by a few different names including the roundabout, merry-go-round, and carousel. Its use, however, is all the same.
The merry-go-round, as I prefer to call it, is a favorite among children who have the need for speed. The harder you can spin the merry-go-round before hopping on the faster you’ll go, of course!
The merry-go-round, however, does have some safety concerns attached it. Spin too fast for too long and you’re looking at some serious dizziness, nausea, and possibly vomiting! An awful way to ruin a day at the playground. Use in moderation!
4. Spring Riders
The “little metal pony that goes back and forth” is actually called a spring rider. The one made after the fashion of a horse is the most recognized but spring riders come in many different shapes, sizes, and variations.
Spring riders are great for small kids, and if you’re feeling up to you can even DIY one with minimal cost! The spring rider as we know it today was invented in the 1970s and originates from Denmark.
5. Climbers
Playground climbers come in many different shapes and sizes. One of the more notable styles is the dome climber. Most climbers are constructed of steel and can last a very long time.
Some of the larger ones even have built-in nets on the inside just in case of a fall. Playing on a dome climber is a great way for children to build strength and coordination.
6. See-Saw
The see-saw is another piece of playground equipment that goes by various names including the teeter-totter and teeterboard.
The most basic of see-saws consists of a long plank attached at its center to a pivot point which allows kids to on each side of the board to take turns thrusting themselves up into the air.
Most see-saws, however, are installed over mulch beds, sand, or foam padding due to the fact that a child could be injured if he/she jumped off while in the air.
With this being said, parents should supervise children when playing on the seesaw until they have a firm understanding of how to use it safely.
Want to learn how to make your own see-saw? Here’s a quick video on how to do so!
7. Tubes
A tube is another great piece of playground equipment that children enjoy. Some of them are used more like enclosed slide while others act as enclosed bridges, connecting one piece of playground equipment to the other.
Tubes make for a great addition to any playground and they come in all kinds of shapes and colors.
8. Jungle Gym
Similar to the dome climber mentioned above, the jungle gym has traditionally been made of steel for increased strength and longevity.
However, over the years newer materials have been used including PVC and other plastics, as well as wood and rope variations.
The first jungle gym was invented and patented by a lawyer named Sebastian Hinton, of Chicago, in the year 1920.
It was sold under the trademarked name Jungle Gym. Sebastian’s father had created a similar structure when he was a child made from bamboo.
9. Monkey Bars (Horizontal Ladder)
Monkey bars, dome climbers, and jungle gyms are all similar pieces of equipment. In fact, some jungle gyms have monkey bars and by their very nature are climbable like a dome climber.
Monkey bars specifically though, are part of the jungle gym that looks like a ladder turned horizontally, giving the user the ability to swing from one rung to the next.
There are freestanding versions of monkey bars as well. Using monkey bars is a great way for kids and adults alike to build great upper-body strength.
10. Still Rings
Still rings are the rings you can dangle from that are traditionally attached to swing sets. Some of them dangle individually from a chain while others are connected to each other making them easier to use.
Still rings are often used by gymnasts and require extreme upper body strength for the routines they perform.
However, for children, a set of still rings on the swing set is just another way to increase the fun factor!
11. Tetherball
Tetherball is a piece of playground equipment that has been around for years. It consists of a stationary metal pole which is most often set in concrete and buried underground. Attached to the pole through the use of a rope is a volleyball-shaped ball.
A former version of tetherball used a tethered tennis ball instead and required the use of rackets. Regardless of which version is being played, tetherball involves two players.
Each player stands on opposite sides of the pole, one striking the ball clockwise and the other striking it counterclockwise. The first person who manages to wind the ball all the way around the pole wins the game.
12. The Giant Stride
The giant stride is a piece of playground equipment that was popular in the early 1900s. You typically don’t see them much anymore. The giant stride consisted of a tall stationary pole cemented into the ground.
At the top of it were attached multiple chains that connected to a handle that resembles the rungs of a ladder. Kids would then hold onto the handle, and run around the pole as fast as they could until eventually, they were swinging around the pole! Sounds like a blast right?
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture of the giant stride for public use, but here is a website I found that does have a picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What equipment is safe for playground?
Some of the safe playground equipments include swings, slides, seesaws, playhouses, trampolines, and zip lines. Additionally, rubber mulch or wood chips can be used for cushion falls from elevated structures such as climbing walls or monkey bars.
Safety is always the highest priority when it comes to playground equipment, so be sure to select products that have been designed and tested for safety.
Good options are those made of durable materials such as steel or plastic and with features like rounded edges and rubberized surfaces.
2. What materials are used in a playground?
Playgrounds will need materials such as rubber mulch or wood chips for cushioning falls and durable materials like steel and plastic for the actual play structures.
Additionally, you may need padding or mats around certain equipment or in areas where children gather, and weather-protected materials such as sunshades and rain shelters.
3. What is the most popular playground equipment?
The most popular playground equipment is swings. Other popular playground equipment includes slides, seesaws, merry-go-rounds, monkey bars or climbing frames, and sandboxes.
4. What age group is playground equipment suitable for?
Playground equipment is typically suitable for children aged three and up, though some products may be appropriate for younger kids with supervision.
It’s important to consider the age of your target user group when selecting playground equipment in order to ensure that the structures are safe and appropriate for them.
Additionally, different ages will likely require different levels of complexity and challenge in the equipment.
In Conclusion
There are lots of different pieces of playground equipment scattered among the thousands of playgrounds in the US. Most of them are just some variation or combination of what’s been listed above.
For example, the dome climber is just a type of climber. There are many other “climbers” that are not shaped like a dome. For that reason, if you’re unsure of what to call it, just call it what it is in its simplest form.
I hope this article has been useful in helping you identify the different playground equipment names. As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to check out our other super helpful articles just like this one!
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