Research shows that children use free play to express their emotions and learn to deal with their fears and scary experiences. Free play allows children to fully express themselves without anyone or anything holding them back, adding to the many benefits that children who play regularly experience. Think back to your own childhood—how many imaginary…
Changing leaves and the crisp autumn air are right around the corner—back to school season is upon us. As you fill up your children’s backpacks with books and their lunchboxes with healthy meals, remember that play is healthy for them, too—and recess provides them with the perfect outlet to play to their heart’s content. Along…
There are many ways for kids to play outside on hot summer days—just make sure they don’t forget water and sunscreen! Our survey on parental attitudes on play said 80 percent of parents agree that their kids enjoy playing outdoors much more than playing indoors. Play also builds children’s social, physical, cognitive and emotional skills,…
The U.S Play Coalition’s annual conference brought together leading experts and leaders in “PLAY FOR LIFE,” which explored play across the lifespan. IPEMA and the Voice of Play was once again a sponsor and we were thrilled to do a presentation with Olga Jarrett, Ph.D. and Lynn Campanella of Playocracy Inc. “Why Play Matters: The…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we we finalize our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
Olga Jarrett, recess expert, wrote in her research-based case for recess that, “given the strong evidence suggesting recess meets so many physical, social, emotional, and academic needs, recess for all is a goal worth pursuing.” And we agree! The good news is that more states are getting back on track with recess, too, like Arizona.…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
IPEMA’s Voice of Play initiative promotes growth in the quality and quantity of children’s free play and the use of playgrounds. When we wanted to uncover findings about the benefits of recess we went straight to the source – teachers! After surveying them, we hope the data will shed light on the importance of recess,…
This summer, IPEMA and its Voice of Play initiative was featured in the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)’s magazine, blog and podcast! First, in the 2018 Playground Guide (part of the July issue), IPEMA’s president Tom Norquist wrote the article, “From School Yard to Park.” In this byline, we explored how in recent years,…
This month, we’re excited to have two featured byline articles in Play & Playground Magazine! Managing Risk with Your Playground: A Checklist for Safety For years, playground designers have worked to design spaces with a wide variety of engaging and exciting equipment and surfacing materials that can be configured to challenge and motivate children of…
We’re back from an exciting weekend in New Orleans! Representatives from IPEMA and the Voice of Play, including 2018 Marketing Committee Chair Brian Johnson, represented at the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Conference. This was the first year we attended this conference, and we were able to engage with hundreds of parents and teachers from…
IPEMA was featured on the NBC Nightly News! A film crew recently interviewed IPEMA’s president Tom Norquist. The story focused on how old fashioned, rough and tumble, unstructured play is making a comeback, and is a game-changer; vital for kids’ creativity and independence. When a child takes a risk in play and overcomes a challenge,…
Survey Says: Recess is a Right, Not a Reward Earlier this year, IPEMA’s Voice of Play worked with Wakefield Research and surveyed 500 U.S. elementary school teachers to gather their perspectives on play, since teachers have a first-hand view to the importance of recess to the students they teach. Among the findings was that each…
What do you remember from your elementary school days on the playground? Perhaps innocent games of hopscotch or freeze tag, climbing on the monkey bars, or tapping into your imagination to see where the afternoon took you. These memories stay with us for a lifetime, yet some students today will be unaware of these pastimes…
During April’s National Playground Safety Week, IPEMA and the Voice of Play hosted a Twitter Chat on recess and playground safety, highlighting results from our recent survey. Using #VOPChat, we heard from advocates in the play space who shared resources among their thoughts on recess today. We asked the following questions: Q1: Does your…
What a week in Clemson, SC it was! Representatives from IPEMA and the Voice of Play, including 2018 President Tom Norquist and Marketing Committee Chair Brian Johnson, represented and learned for three playful days. The following are highlights from the event. IPEMA Sponsorship As in year’s past, IPEMA was a bronze-level sponsor. At the IPEMA…
More focus on standardized testing in recent years has unfortunately meant less time for recess in some schools across the country. For example, according to the 2016 Shape of the Nation Report, only 16 percent of states required elementary schools to provide daily recess. Despite some school boards and law officials saying “no” to mandatory…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground submissions…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects, sharing “great playgrounds” of all shapes and sizes. Join us as we continue our journey to see the exciting, colorful and creative projects our members have shared with us! These playground submissions…
One of the best parts of our job is highlighting all of the great work our members lead and contribute to each year. Recently, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play asked our membership to help us feature some of their favorite projects. And WOW (!) did our membership respond…
(Image courtesy of US Play Coalition) A few weeks may have passed since we’ve returned from the Play Conference, but there was so much to share, we needed to get our thoughts together. This year’s US Play Coalition annual Play Conference was filled with discussions of play—and fun, too! The theme, “Where Design Meets Play,”…
Winter will be coming to an end soon and that means it’s time to get excited about playing outside in the warmer spring weather! While there are benefits to both indoor and outdoor play, getting your children outside is definitely more beneficial. It helps them stay more active and keeps them at a lower stress…
Time spent playing outside is imperative for children. Outdoor play doesn’t just give your children more room for physical activity–this article suggests that playing outside and in a natural setting helps your children develop stronger immune systems, have more active and creative imaginations, boost attention spans, reduce symptoms of ADHD and more. Play is important…
It’s the start of another New Year and many people are still formulating their resolutions: eating healthy, exercising more and spending less time in front of the television are just a few of the most popular resolutions to adopt. With technology becoming almost a permanent fixture in children’s lives, it’s important to encourage kids to…
In honor of Stress Awareness Day, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play want to shed some light on play as one of the best stress relievers. Did you know play doesn’t just have many benefits to help with your child’s development, like enhancing self-confidence and strengthening his/her brain, but…
Halloween is here! While your family enjoys some tricks and treats, it’s important to make sure that kids have a fun and safe Halloween. Share these tips from the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play with other parents in your neighborhood, and the only thing that will cause a fright…
By this time, your children are well into their school schedule—waking up, getting ready, eating breakfast, catching the bus and so on throughout the day. But part of that routine should include time for play, and the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play want to share some great activities your…
Athletes from all over the world have met in one location to compete against each other, as their home countries cheer them on. Not only are families sitting down together to watch the games, but this time of year can also get kids excited about physical fitness. The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and…
School is almost back in session and fall is just around the corner. Now is the time to focus on the days you have left with your kids before they’re back to hitting the books and the warm nights–for many of us– disappear. August is National Family Fun Month, so the International Play Equipment Manufacturers…
Now that the kids are out of school, there is an abundance of free time that you’ll most likely look to fill with activities and vacations. With July being Parks and Recreation Month, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play have chosen several parks in each region of the United States…
If the weather hasn’t reflected it already, summertime is here! Now is a great time to take advantage of the kids being out of school and engage them in free play, vital to a child’s overall development. The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play want to help show you the benefits…
We know that keeping the kids occupied during the summer can be tough! To counter their short attention spans, International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play pulled some great ideas from the National Day Calendar for you to take advantage of with the whole family: June June 15 – Nature Photography Day…
School is almost out for the summer, and the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play want to help you get prepared for a season filled with sunny days, warm nights and lots of outdoor play. With this Safe Summertime Play Checklist, compiled from numerous reputable sources, you’ll be ready from the…
It’s a new trend that has been rising for several years now: “playgrounds” for adults. Sound crazy? It’s true! The City Museum in St. Louis even boasts a jungle gym made of two repurposed airplanes, 10-story slides and a rooftop Ferris wheel. On a smaller scale, outdoor adult playgrounds are focused on fitness, ranging from…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play invite you to join in the conversation around National Playground Safety Week, taking place Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29. This last week in April is a time to focus on children’s safety during free play, as well as show appreciation for…
It was another fantastic year at the US Play Coalition’s annual Play Conference. The theme, “Rebooting Play,” was a fitting title for a reinvigorated and reenergized conference. The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play have sponsored this conference since its inception, and it’s gratifying to see how it has changed…
There is so much more to playground interactions between children than meets the eye. In actuality, the playground is a complex social network where kids learn valuable everyday life lessons about interacting with others, social norms and independence, all while gaining important relationship-building skills. To prove the development of children’s social skills through games and…
We’ve all seen a unique-looking playground or two, but you may never have seen a playground that is also known as a work of art. This month, we’re bringing you our top five picks in playgrounds designed by artists from around the world. Harmonic Motion Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam Rome This beautiful installation was at Rome’s…
Keeping kids safe is the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play’s utmost priority, but research shows that allowing children to take a few risks during their playtime is very beneficial to their growth. In fact, Psychology Today lists six categories of risky play that are strangely attractive to children. These categories…
Playgrounds are typically a source of care-free physical activity for children. However, when a child is the victim of playground bullying, what used to be a haven for fun becomes a place of exclusion. No parent wants to hear their child say that they are being bullied, but being proactive about a situation like this…
Before that big snow storm hits or the temperatures drop into the single digits, make sure you are set with a plan to keep your kids preoccupied while they are stuck indoors. With that being said, the Voice of Play and International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association have some ideas to help you build a plan…
For most of us, the temperatures are colder outside, and you are probably finding that your kids’ screen time has increased. Unfortunately, this is not a new trend. Children’s overall screen time has more than doubled since 1999 to more than seven hours a day. For International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of…
Did you know that some of the most popular – as well as the most often broken – New Year’s resolutions are exercising more often, eating healthier meals or saving money? This year, the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play are helping you come up with several resolutions to make together…
Are tag and hide-and-seek getting a little boring during recess for your little ones? International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play encourage you and your children to check out these fun playground games from around the world. Let us know which one is your child’s favorite!
Fall is here and that only means one thing: winter and the snow are right around the corner. It may seem easier to stay inside on the couch, but we’re here to tell you that the cold weather shouldn’t hold you back from going outside to play. Play shouldn’t always be seen as a silly,…
Are you looking for the perfect way to fill your fall with more family-time? International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play is here to help with our top ten recommendations on how to get the little ones away from the screens and more involved with the changing seasons.
The kids are back to school, the leaves are beginning to change colors and the breeze is a bit more crisp than the previous weeks. Autumn has arrived and the colder days – for most of us – are not far behind. Staying motivated to get outdoors with the busier schedules can be daunting, but…
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is a happy talent to know how to play.” While this is very true, Emerson left out all of the other benefits children receive from free play, other than just the emotional stimuli! International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Voice of Play focus largely on playground safety, but…
It’s not surprising when “recess” is a child’s response after being asked what part of school is his or her favorite. Recess is their well-deserved break from completing tough math equations, reading lengthy textbooks and maintaining an indoor voice for far longer than they knew was possible. August is quickly coming to a close –…
Playgrounds have evolved by leaps and bounds over the past few decades. With safety standards in check, manufacturers are placing more emphasis on creating an innovative experience for children and parents alike. Playgrounds are becoming more diverse, more motivated to expand imaginations and more adaptive to the natural landscape around them. The following excerpt from…
What makes taking your kids to the playground so special? For them, it’s probably the big slides and equipment to climb on that they can’t experience at home. For you, it’s probably a combination of getting your kids active, keeping them healthy and tiring them out. The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the…
National KidsDay, a day for celebrating childhood, is right around the corner (Sunday, August 2). Created by national children’s charity, KidsPeace, National KidsDay’s mission is to encourage adults, whether parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbors, teachers or caregivers, to spend more meaningful time with children. Here at the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice…
Playgrounds have evolved drastically in the last decade, and one of the trends has been incorporating natural materials. A naturalized playground is one that includes a built environment coupled with elements found in nature. The following excerpt from an International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) article in the spring edition of Play & Playground Magazine…
July is here, and that means we are already nearing the middle of summer break. Are you feeling burnt out from the daily grind? You’re not alone! It is common for parents to start to reach the end of their creative limits at this point in the season, feeling as if they have tried everything…
Sunday, June 21 was officially the start to summer, and what better way to celebrate than by a trip to the local playground? Research shows that outdoor free play gives kids many valuable benefits, including the development of physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills. International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) likes to think of playgrounds…
Can you imagine your childhood without some form of playground? Children prior to the late 1800s had never experienced such a thing, until “sand gardens” appeared in Germany in the 1880s. It was several years after “sand gardens,” into the early 1900s, before playgrounds became a more common public feature to promote physical health and…
Many of us grew up begging our parents to take us to play at the nearby community playground, but what made that playground so special? Maybe it symbolized our early freedom— running off by ourselves to explore all that it had to offer. Maybe it gave us a chance to meet new friends and show…
As the school year ends and summertime approaches, kids will soon find themselves with much more free time on their hands. The television, computer and cell phone will taunt them to stay indoors, which is why International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) and the Voice of Play want to promote activities and ideas that get…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), the playground industry’s leading playground safety certification organization, will celebrate National Playground Safety Week (April 20-24) this week by highlighting the organization’s popular materials and resources to educate about playground safety and the scientific benefits about play. “Through the efforts of many, the playground industry has continued to…
The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), the playground industry’s leading playground safety certification organization, today was honored by the board of the Frost Play Research Collection for its decade-long support for the library and resources provided on behalf of advancing the study of play. The Collection, housed at the University of the Incarnate Word,…
The theme of this year’s US Conference on the Value of Play was “Advancing Play.” The theme speaks centrally to the core of everything we do on behalf of the Voice of Play and IPEMA. We were excited – as always – to join several hundred of our friends and colleagues in play for discussion,…
We were thrilled to have IPEMA featured on Good Morning America this month reinforcing the importance of playground safety during hot weather. Reinforcing our leadership position in the industry, we offered the following statement to GMA, to remind parents and caregivers to be mindful of the play environment in hot weather conditions. “As the playground…
Think about when you were a kid. How did you play? Were your parents telling you, “Get down from there,” or “Don’t do that”? While kids love to climb, hang, throw and jump, parents are infatuated with protecting their kids from every danger that they may come across. Risk doesn’t always have a negative outcome—positives…
It’s no secret that we encourage free play. If you want your child to play freely and safely, you must dress them in clothes that allow them to do so. Check out these clothing tips for the playground: Keep aware of clothing that could get caught or that your child could trip over, like untied…