Natural Playground Design for Early Childhood

Playground design & build specialists

We recently teamed up with the wonderful Bishopsgate School to modernise their early years outdoor area. Our aim was to inspire more outdoor learning through play by incorporating elements of imaginative exploration, collaborative play, and more.

Previously, we supplied a variety of freestanding timber play resources to the school, that were already set into position when we arrived to redevelop the playground.

As these resources were fairly new to the school, these were kept in place or shuffled around to suit the new layout of the grounds.

To bring this playground to life, we removed existing groundworks and replaced with new and also installed new physical play equipment.

This natural playground design definitely had the glow up it deserved!

Transforming Playgrounds with Texture and Colour!

To begin the process of this playground transformation, we carefully categorised the space by using different surface options. The purpose of this was to set focus on each category of play and allow children to easily identify each play area.

Surfacing we used includes resin-bound surfacing, wet pour, artificial grass and bonded rubber mulch.

Not only do each of these offer a purpose for each space, but they also provide both colour and texture to the playground, creating a warm and calming environment for the children.

Running throughout the grounds, we laid a track with a zebra crossing, made up of block edging and resin bound gravel. Thanks to this track, accessibility has been enhanced, meaning that children can happily ride around the track safely, without disturbing other areas within the playground.

I'm New!

Children's Skip and Blocks

395+VAT

Creating a Safe & Engaging Environment for Early Years Education

A main focus during the design process was to encourage adventurous, physical play through fixed climbing structures. To do this, we installed a large, custom-built tower unit, inclusive of two towers and a bespoke adventure trail alongside it. Not forgetting to mention the scrabbles nets and slide!

Additional physical features consist of balancing equipment and strength building structures, such as pull-up bars.

The entire physical play area is surfaced with an earth mix wet pour to ensure durability, and most of all, safety.

Aside from the physical equipment installed, the other sections consist of messy play, sensory play, den-making, sand play and nature.

To one side of the area, beneath the existing trees, we included a den-making, open-ended play zone, finished with rubber mulch surfacing. This space is a great place to play, hide and learn!

The messy play zone features mud kitchens to spark imagination, and an enhanced sand play area to encourage digging, measuring, and teamwork. While the sensory zones and planters add seasonal colour and help guide safe movement throughout the space.

Learn more about our Adventure Trails!

Outdoor Messy Corner Kitchen

800+VAT

A Bright Future for Outdoor Learning and Play

Through a balance of adventure, creative and exploration, this fantastic outdoor play environment will encourage children to learn, grow and thrive outside every day, all-year-round!

The future of early years education has never looked brighter.

I think we can all agree that we could discuss this huge playground for hours!

But for now, if you like what you see, and would like a design similar to Bishopsgate School, call or email the Newby team today using the details below!

Take a scroll through the pictures below by clicking the tabs and feel free to let us know your thoughts.

“Together, we’re better”