If you had carte blanche to buy outdoor play equipment

[whostolemycamel]

What would you buy? or have built? or create?

We're overseas so it might be tricky to source stuff but my DCs' school PTA have raised a chunk of cash (in the region of ten thousand pounds I think) to buy "stuff" for the playground. I need ideas to pass on to them.

They already have an adventure playground but it's almost exclusively used by pre-school and KS1. School is a 3-18 school and climate is very hot.

Any great stuff I'm not aware of? or things I should avoid? I'd be really grateful to hear!

[grassroots]

I really like something I saw recently - but I don't know its name. It is basically a pole about the height of a netball hoop, with a big scoop type thing (a bit like an upside down beehive) on top, with three/four different openings on it. The idea is you throw a ball into the scoop, but you have no idea which 'hole' it is going to come out of. When I saw it there was a whole crowd of children playing, boys and girls, and squeals of laughter. Would love to get one for our school.

[TeenAndTween]

grass Funnel ball?

[grassroots]

Oh well done Tween, have googled it and you are absolutely right. Funnel ball it is!

[titchy]

Low ropes course?

[JennyBlueWren]

Some boulders, tree stumps (or proper big trees if you could), a huge sand pit with climbing frame in it with scoops and pulleys.

Loose part play equipment (and somewhere to store it if your site isn't secure): stumps, tyres, tubes, planks which the children can use to build new equipment themselves and encourages teamwork.

Go for things with a wide open usage rather than the sort of thing which might be really popular to start with but which can only really be played with in one way (e.g. the standard adventure trail).

If you have a wide open space try adding features which make multiple spaces out of it such as willow sculptures or hedges. Great for hide and seek.

[whostolemycamel]

Ooh, funnel ball looks great!

Definitely going to push for loose part play equipment - better now that I have a decent name for it rather than tyres n logs n stuff...

What about a climbing wall? I'm thinking long and horizontal rather than high.

Unfortunately, I suspect the willow hedges etc are out due to climate (plus the whole space is brick, concrete, AstroTurf.. - sounds really inspiring!)

Any ideas for small stuff? So far I've thought variety of balls, juggling balls, skipping ropes (short and long), hula hoops.

I really appreciate the ideas!

[Awakeagain]

Small things
Frisbee
Space hopper
Koosh ball
Flying fox? Ball with a tail
Large games - Jenna, connect 4
Sports equipment they can use on their own
Parachutes

Den building (can go with loose parts play)
Chalk boards
Marble run
Water tray
Sand tray
Shelters

[whostolemycamel]

Is there such a thing as a weighted ball which travels in unexpected directions when rolled/ kicked? I thought so but my googling is showing nothing!

[MilkRunningOutAgain]

Kids school has just installed 2 all weather table tennis tables that are proving very popular.

[LittleMissSparklyGreenTinsel]

We have a long horizontal climbing wall at our school. I think the DC like it.
Also have big tyres, planks, guttering (for water pouring) etc which also get used for outdoor learning