Playground Centre: A practical checklist for planning better school playgrounds

School playgrounds play a vital role in student wellbeing, learning and social development. Yet many evolve gradually without a clear plan.

Time, budget and space pressures mean outdoor areas are often developed in stages. This can leave gaps in play variety, sensory experiences, age-appropriate challenge or inclusive spaces that support all students.

To help, Playground Centre has developed the Great 8 School Playground Design Checklist – a simple tool that helps schools review their current and plan their future playspaces.

“The checklist translates best-practice playground design principles into eight clear areas that schools can follow. The process is quick, practical and designed for busy school teams.”

How it works:

1. Schools review or plan their playground against the eight key design areas.
2. Each area is colour-coded to quickly show strengths, gaps and priorities.
3. Leadership teams can easily identify where investment, in new playgrounds or upgrades, will have the greatest impact for students.

Looking beyond the equipment

The checklist considers the whole play environment, including elements that can easily be overlooked but make a big difference. 

For example:

• A variety of play experiences, from active play to quieter, passive play.
• Spaces where students can gather, talk and play games together.
• Sensory play elements, such as tactile materials or musical features.
• Zones that invite shared imaginative play, like themed play structures.

The checklist also considers practical factors that shape everyday functionality and safety, including: 

• Clear sightlines for staff supervision.
• Accessible pathways and easy navigation.
• Impact-absorbing surfacing under equipment.

Great planning in practice

A great example of this approach is a school playground designed for older primary school students.

The space was planned to provide more challenge and variety, including treehouse-style play and “ninja warrior” activities inspired by student input. It offers a blend of high-energy fun and chill-out zones, combining climbing, balancing and imaginative play as well as quieter social spaces.

Importantly, it was planned as a complete play environment rather than simply a collection of equipment. Different play experiences are distributed across the space, supporting a wide range of students, needs and preferences.

According to the Head of Junior School: “The playground has extended and enriched student play. By creating a versatile, nature-focused setting, with lots of challenge and variety, we’ve ensured students can enjoy active, imaginative play in a way that feels both engaging and age appropriate.”

Where to start

The Great 8 School Playground Design Checklist is designed to help school stakeholders take the first step in evaluating and planning playgrounds.

For schools wanting help to complete the checklist – or support in planning a new or upgraded playground – Playground Centre is available to assist.

Download the Great 8 School Playground Design Checklist.

1800 092 897
[email protected]
playgroundcentre.com
27B Peterpaul Way, Truganina VIC 3029
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