Playground Centre: Not every child is playing at your school … here’s why

October 1, 2025

For many children, the playground can be a place of exclusion and those missed moments of play can impact confidence, friendships, and learning.

It’s not just about disability or access. True inclusion means children of every age, stage and background can play together – creating a school culture where everyone feels they belong.

Rethinking inclusion in the modern context

Traditionally, inclusion was measured by physical accessibility: ramps, wider pathways, and wheelchair-friendly equipment. While these remain essential, true inclusion goes further.

Today’s best practice inclusive design recognises the full spectrum of difference – physical, sensory, intellectual, and psychosocial. It also reflects wider community shifts, such as cultural diversity, promoting social cohesion.

As UNICEF’s Sruthi Atmakur notes: “By giving children with and without disabilities a chance to play together, inclusive playspaces can serve as joyful incubators of a more inclusive society.”

Research consistently shows that inclusive playspaces nurture empathy, cooperation, and respect – qualities every school and community seek to foster.

The Principles of Inclusive Design

At the heart of inclusive playgrounds is universal design: removing physical and social barriers so every child can play. Core principles include:

Accessibility: spaces that everyone can reach and enjoy.
Variety: play that engages different senses and abilities.
Equity: opportunities for children of all abilities to interact together.
Comfort and safety: meeting physical and emotional needs alike.

These playgrounds don’t happen by chance. They result from collaboration with people who have lived experience – educators, children, families and disability advocates – ensuring the design reflects real needs.

A powerful example is the play and fitness space created for Sunbury College in Victoria. The whole school community was engaged in its design which incorporates a range of inclusive equipment. The outcome? An all-ages play space that embraces and supports the diverse abilities of students and staff alike – with benefits that extend into the classroom, where everyone arrives engaged and invigorated from their play.

Equipment that encourages children to play – together

Inclusive playgrounds come alive through equipment that supports children to play side by side. Importantly, it doesn’t single out children with disabilities but fosters genuine inclusion. Examples:

Musical instruments like Bongo Drums or Xylophones provide sensory engagement and non-threatening social play.
Hammocks and basket swings offer shared swinging for children, blending comfort with connection.
Climbing nets and modular play structures with both accessible lower-level play and more challenging features enable children to engage at their own pace, in the same space.

What makes equipment like this valuable is that it caters for diverse needs while encouraging participation and making social play more likely.

The guide to inclusive play every school needs

Playground Centre is a leader in inclusive playground design. The latest edition of its All-Inclusive Fun Handbook explores how thoughtfully designed play environments can promote social cohesion, appreciation of diversity, and wellbeing.

Combining research, theory, and practical insights, it’s an essential resource for educators and communities passionate about creating truly inclusive playspaces.