How to Involve Children in the Playground Project

We believe every playground design is better when it’s shaped by the true experts. Who knows more about the magic of play than the children themselves? By inviting them to share their ideas and lead the fundraising journey, you transform a construction project into a valued life experience, creating spaces they truly love because they helped build them.

Make fundraising part of the adventure!

Our fundraising Rocket Poster lets children take the lead in their playground project. It’s a fun, visual way for them to understand savings and celebrate progress, boosted by exclusive Sovereign funding incentives to keep the momentum high. Contact today to request your free poster.

Children can actively raise funds through these engaging activities:

• Summer Fêtes & Fayres: Involve children in preparing face painting, book stalls, cake sales, craft stalls, second-hand teddy tombolas, hair braiding, and hook-a-duck games.
• Sponsored Events: Encourage children to organize sponsored silences, walks, or swims.
• Art Galleries: Turn your library or school hall into an art gallery where children showcase and sell their own artwork.
• Non-Uniform Days: Host a “bring a pound to school” day in exchange for wearing casual clothes.
• School Discos: Host parties and discos to raise funds, strengthen peer relationships, and let students blow off steam.

Invite them to the design visit

Our DBS-checked team loves working in bustling playgrounds! Why not invite your School Council leaders to join the complementary quote visit? By joining the Headteacher or Business Manager during our site visit, students can share their peers’ vision and gain firsthand experience in a professional consultation.

Incorporate the project into your curriculum

English

• Research and communication skills: Conduct interviews and peer surveys to gather playground ideas.
• Persuasive Writing: Write formal letters to headteachers and governors to pitch design concepts.

Mathematics

• Geometry: Measure the playground footprint and draw designs to scale on squared paper.
• Data Handling: Collect market research and present findings via tally, bar, or pie charts.
• Finance: Use a mock budget to “buy” equipment, practicing addition, subtraction, and value-for-money

Science

• Materials: Investigate the durability of wood, metal, and plastic against outdoor environments.
• Forces: Use slides, roundabouts, and swings to study force, friction, and gravity in action

Art and Design Technology

• Marketing: Create vibrant advertising posters for the playground’s Grand Opening.
• Modelling: Build prototype playgrounds using recycled loose parts like cardboard, straws, and clay.
• Inclusivity: Invent and design accessible play equipment usable for peers of all abilities.

ICT

• Surveys: Build electronic surveys and use Excel or Google Sheets to graph equipment popularity.
• Coding: Animate a digital character exploring a 2D playground layout using Scratch.

History

• Evolution of Play: Research how playgrounds and outdoor games have changed over time.

PSHE

• Democracy: Use ballot boxes to vote on final equipment choices, teaching the lifelong value of voting.

Involving children in the design process does more than just build a better play space. It builds confidence, teaches teamwork, and gives your pupils true ownership over their school environment. When children help design their playground, they respect it, look after it, and enjoy it for years to come.