Press Room

What Can Children Do on Your Playground?
These lists are a small portion of a Playground Policy Manual developed in partnership with community members in the Districts of Algoma and Sudbury/Manitoulin, Ontario. Thank you to Pam Brown, who works with the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, Sudbury District, for sending these materials.

Once you understand the various types of play necessary for children’s healthy development, how can you implement these types of play into every day activities? Examples of the many sorts of activities that can benefit children in a playground setting follow. It may be helpful to circle or check those activities you already use; then try to figure out how to implement some of the ones you do not use. Don’t forget to ask the children!

Movement and Perception

sit
stand
crawl under, in over
creep
roll
walk
hop
skip
run
jump
sprint
turn
stop
pedal
push
pull
throw at a distance
throw at a target
catch
reach
grasp
grip
hold
lift
carry
dump
punch
balance
somersault
swing
sway
climb
slide
balance
tumble
kick
dig
use sled
roller skate
ice skate
strike object
make an obstacle course
stretch
pull up
assemble
disassemble
stack
pile
build
put in
take out
pound
pinch
scrape
poke
squeeze
dance
smell
touch
feel
taste

Expression

talk
shout
scream
whisper
make noises
sing
be quiet
listen
see, watch, look
create
sculpt
weave
paint with water
paint with fingers
paint with brushes
paint with rollers
paint with branches
tear down
build
woodwork
nail
glue
dress up
play doll
imitate
imagine
invent
play with water
pour
splash
play with sand
mix
wash
play with bubbles
make bubbles
use objects in original ways
blow
shape earth
shape a sphere
shape a space
invent
draw caricatures
sketch
play with mud

Cognitive Skills

observe
understand
make rules
decide
choose
collect
gather
compare
select
match
arrange
rearrange
put in order
discover
question
notice changes
develop theories and concepts
count
write
explore by trial and error
read books
read symbols

Emotion and Affection

cuddle
hug
kiss
tickle
change their minds
be alone with a friend
be alone
be in a small group
have individual attention
be in a large group
retreat
nest
hide
look
help
pat
feel
hear
take care of
plant
prune
mix
water
tend
enjoy
eat
sleep
rest