Themed playgrounds are best remembered by visitors. A well-designed playground that follows a thematic thread is not only a visual highlight, but also motivates children to exercise and is a real recognition feature for any facility – whether a municipal facility, campsite, hotel complex or leisure park. In this blog post, we give tips on how best to design a themed playground and show what such a playground can look like.
Table of contents
- The educational added value of themed playgrounds
- How to design a themed playground
- Examples of themed playgrounds from eibe
- eibe plans your themed playground
The educational added value of themed playgrounds
There is hardly anything better for children than being allowed to romp around in a themed playground. Themed playgrounds are always closely linked to role play, as they act as a backdrop for play. They also offer children an outlet to process what they have learned in a practical way. While the little ones gather a multitude of impressions and ideas at the excursion location, themed playgrounds allow them to process the information directly through play. For example, a railroad museum provides information about locomotives and their functions, and a playground with play equipment in the shape of a train offers the opportunity to act out these functions. In this way, children consolidate their new knowledge, have fun and get plenty of exercise.
How to design a themed playground
If you are planning a themed playground, you should first create a coherent overall concept. This starts with a suitable theme for the respective facility, continues with the selection of suitable play equipment and includes the finishing touches in the form of small visual highlights.
Choose the right theme for the location
Themed playgrounds always have the potential to emphasize the message of your facility or special features of the location, making the visit a real experience. When choosing the right theme, two factors are particularly important: the theme of the facility and its geographical characteristics.
1. The theme of the facility
Themed playgrounds set the mood and make excursions a well-rounded experience for young and old. If the playground is part of a zoo, for example, animal-shaped play equipment is particularly attractive. If it is made of natural materials, the playground blends in visually with the surroundings and animal figures offer children a good alternative to interacting with real animals. In an amusement park with a “Wild West” theme, a playground in the shape of a fort encourages children to visit, and in a town whose tourist attraction is a medieval castle, a playground with a castle or knight theme becomes a family magnet.
2. The geographical location of the facility
A themed playground becomes a very special experience if it is visually enhanced by its geographical location. A play ship near the water is not only an absolute eye-catcher for a facility such as a fish restaurant or a hotel by the sea, but also becomes an incomparable play experience for children. Playgrounds in the shape of trees or flowers quickly turn a playground in the park into a favorite excursion destination. Rural facilities, on the other hand, are ideal for a farm-themed playground.
Selecting matching play equipment
Once the desired theme for the facility has been found, it is important to select suitable play equipment. This should visually reflect the theme by depicting buildings or objects that match the theme – such as a castle, a train or a fire engine. To create a harmonious overall picture, however, they should also complement each other well. This applies to both the color scheme and the materials.
A tip for choosing: Awaken the child in you and put yourself in the perspective of your target audience when selecting the play equipment. What would you enjoy? Which stages of the pirate adventure would you find particularly exciting? Which play equipment would fit well into the game when it comes to exploring an imaginary jungle?
Examples of themed playgrounds from eibe
The eibe range offers a variety of cleverly thought-out and lovingly designed play structures for themed playgrounds. The most popular themes include
- Castles & Dragons
- Jungle adventures
- Marine adventures
- City & Crafts
- On four wheels and in the air
Can’t find the right theme for you? No problem. Feel free to contact us and we will discuss an individual concept for your themed playground.
All aboard, the ship sets sail – pirate playground with play ship
Whether it’s a pirate gang, a team of explorers or a hard-working fishing crew – play ships provide a great basis for numerous role-playing games and are great fun in every variation. They are a real recognition feature for hotels, restaurants and leisure facilities, because a ship like this on land is always an eye-catcher, especially if it can be completely climbed on.
A play ship – like the Santa Maria in the photos – can also be perfectly expanded into a themed playground. For example, by adding matching play elements such as stacked cargo crates from the Crazy Crates play set. A dinghy is also a great add-on and can be integrated perfectly into the story. Sandy ground not only contributes perfectly to the seafaring atmosphere, but also serves as fall protection.
Wild thing – off to a jungle adventure
“Oh no, the jeep has broken down – in the middle of the jungle!”
“Do we have any tools with us?”
“Sure, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Can someone climb the palm tree and look for a clearing?”
The Off-Road play unit is the perfect starting point for an exciting adventure in the jungle playground. With numerous climbing options and loving details in the form of a driver’s seat with steering wheel and dashboard, a rear seat and an open hood, the off-roader offers children plenty of inspiration for role-play.
Play structures in a matching jungle design can be used as further stops on the jungle adventure. Light-coloured robinia wood, palm tree elements and leaf canopies create a visual connection. The wobbly bridges and the vertically stretched climbing ropes, which are reminiscent of jungle lianas, are a particularly clever addition to the theme.
A knight’s castle – setting for knightly adventures
Kings Castle makes an exciting fairy-tale setting. Stories of knights, dragons and damsels stimulate children’s imagination and creativity and can be integrated into the play as the fancy takes you. The castle-themed playground makes it easy for playground operators to plan: additional climbing elements can easily be added as parts of the castle wall. Or perhaps a free-standing carriage to take the king to the neighbouring kingdom?
eibe plans your themed playground
The eibe range has everything you need for your themed playworld. Thanks to modular play systems and equipment, you can create customised play landscapes that offer unlimited play value at all levels. The following elements can be combined as desired:
- Play, climbing, slide and sand combinations
- swings, seesaws, spring rockers, ropeways
- Climbing equipment, gymnastics equipment
- Huts and furniture
- Accessories
No matter which theme you choose, we will customise the look of the desired play equipment and create a coherent overall concept. This will make your themed playground a distinctive feature of your facility and definitely a customer magnet.
Contact us: Our expert team of specialist consultants will be happy to help you plan and realise your project.