Best Outdoor Kids Play Design Ideas for Hotels & Resorts
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Creating captivating and engaging outdoor play areas for children is essential for luxury hotels and resorts looking to attract families. Just like an innovative gym design or outdoor gym, a well-designed playground can enhance the guest experience and add tangible value to the property's leisure spaces offer.
We design all of the above and have a particular focus on the luxury hotel sector, where we see brands like Soneva, Six Senses Resorts, and One&Only Resorts leading from the front with their thoughtful kids club concepts that elevate a property’s appeal for families.
This guide explores a range of inspiring ideas for designing outdoor kids play areas in resorts that are safe, fun, and uniquely tailored to a luxury hospitality context.
1. Planning a Hotel or Resort Kids Play Area
Assessing Space and Budget
Before diving into kids leisure space design, it’s crucial to assess the available space and budget. This process requires more work as hotels and resorts need to determine the size and scope of the play area, considering factors like guest demographics and the resort’s overall theme.
What is the Unique Selling Point here? how is the facility going to be unique and differentiated, while also aligning with the relevant resort brand positioning?
For instance, Soneva Resorts often integrate large, sprawling play areas that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings, while Six Senses focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable materials.
Space Utilization: Evaluate how the space can be maximized for various play activities without compromising safety. Consider multi-level play structures or combining different play zones for diverse experiences.
Budget Allocation: Balance cost with creativity. High-quality, durable materials might have a higher upfront cost but will last longer and require less maintenance.
Ensuring Safety and Accessibility
Safety is paramount in playground design. The play area should accommodate children of all ages and abilities, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
Safety Standards: Adhere to local and international safety regulations. Use soft flooring materials, rounded edges on equipment, and non-toxic finishes to prevent injuries.
Accessibility: Include ramps, wide pathways, and accessible play structures to ensure all children can enjoy the space, regardless of physical abilities.
Emphasizing Outdoor Games and Activities
Outdoor play is not only fun but also crucial for children’s physical and mental development. Incorporate a variety of games and activities to keep kids engaged. Adding these features can make the resort a popular destination for families.
Physical Activity: Design areas that encourage climbing, running, and jumping. Structures like climbing walls, obstacle courses, and swings promote physical fitness.
Social Interaction: Create zones for group play, such as sandboxes, water tables, or large interactive games that encourage teamwork and socialization.
2. Developing Design Skills for a Successful Playground
Building In-House Design Skills
Investing in in-house design skills can give hotels and resorts a personalized touch in their playgrounds, ensuring the space aligns perfectly with the property’s brand and guest expectations.
Training Staff: Develop a team with skills in landscape architecture, child psychology, and play safety standards. This ensures a holistic approach to playground design.
Customization: Use in-house designers to tailor the playground to the resort’s unique theme, whether it’s a tropical paradise or an urban escape.
Hiring a Design Consultant
While in-house design can be beneficial, hiring a professional consultant like ourselves can provide expert guidance to enhance the property's appeal, especially for complex or large-scale projects. We can also bring a fresh dose of creative thinking that integrates smoothly into the resort brand design standards.
Expertise: Consultants bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, often having worked on diverse projects and understanding the latest trends and safety standards.
Efficiency: They can streamline the design process, help avoid costly mistakes, and ensure the playground is completed on time and within budget.
Creating a Best-in-class resort kids play area
Combining in-house skills and expert consultation can lead to the creation of a top-notch playground that stands out and becomes a highlight of the guest experience.
Collaboration: Foster a collaborative approach where in-house teams and consultants work together to blend creativity with practicality.
Unique Experiences: Aim to create unique, memorable play experiences that reflect the resort’s identity and appeal to both children and parents.
3. Outdoor Games and Activities in Hotels & Resorts
Incorporating Outdoor Games
Designing play areas that incorporate a variety of outdoor games helps keep children active and engaged, enhancing their overall resort experience. Incorporating a variety of outdoor games can make the resort a popular destination for families.
Interactive Games: Install games like giant chess, hopscotch, or tic-tac-toe boards. These not only entertain but also stimulate strategic thinking and coordination.
Sports Facilities: Include mini-golf, basketball courts, or soccer fields to encourage physical activity and cater to older children and teenagers.
Hands-On Play and Exploration
Encouraging hands-on play and exploration stimulates creativity and imagination, essential for child development.
Natural Play Elements: Use natural materials like sand, water, and wood. Soneva Resorts, for example, often integrate natural elements into their play areas to inspire exploration.
Interactive Features: Add sensory panels, musical instruments, and tactile surfaces that engage different senses and provide educational play opportunities.
Designing for All Ages and Abilities
A successful playground should cater to children of various ages and abilities, offering something for everyone.
Age-Specific Zones: Create different areas for toddlers, young children, and older kids, with age-appropriate activities and equipment.
Inclusive Play: Ensure play structures are accessible and inclusive, with features like easy-to-climb ramps and sensory play panels for children with different abilities.
4. Innovative Playground Features in Hotels and Resorts
Color and Sensory Surfaces
Incorporating vibrant colors and sensory surfaces into playground design can make the space more engaging and stimulating for children.
Colorful Designs: Use bright, cheerful colors to attract children and stimulate visual interest. Flooring, equipment, and structures can all be part of this colorful palette.
Sensory Play: Integrate sensory surfaces like textured panels, water features, or soft play areas that engage touch and hearing as well as sight.
Making Trees a Feature
Natural elements like trees can be central features in a play space, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Treehouses: Incorporate treehouses or elevated play areas that give children a sense of adventure and a unique perspective.
Shaded Play Areas: Use trees to provide natural shade, keeping play areas cool and comfortable, and protecting children from the sun.
Innovative Play Structures
Modern playgrounds can benefit from innovative structures that offer unique and engaging experiences.
Custom Designs: Develop custom play structures that reflect the property's theme, like pirate ships, castles, or jungle gyms.
Interactive Installations: Install interactive elements like climbing nets, balance beams, and kinetic sculptures that challenge and entertain children.
5. Water Play and Artistic Expression
Water Play Features
Water play can provide a refreshing way for kids to enjoy the outdoors, especially in warm climates.
Splash Pads: Incorporate splash pads or fountains that allow children to cool off and enjoy water safely without the need for a pool.
Water Tables: Install interactive water tables where kids can play and learn about the flow and movement of water.
Art Boards and Creative Spaces
Encouraging artistic expression is important for children's development and enjoyment.
Art Boards: Include wipe-clean art boards or easels where children can draw and paint, allowing them to express their creativity.
Craft Stations: Set up areas with supplies for crafts and building, fostering creativity and hands-on engagement.
Educational Playgrounds
Design playgrounds that are both fun and educational, combining play with learning opportunities.
Themed Areas: Create themed zones that teach about nature, science, or culture. For example, Six Senses Resorts often integrate educational themes into their kids’ clubs.
Interactive Learning: Install educational panels and interactive displays that provide information and activities related to the environment or local culture.
6. Designing Kids Play Facilities for Resorts using Whimsical Design Touches
Creating a Miniature World
Enchant children with a play area designed as a miniature world, sparking their imagination and sense of wonder.
Miniature Buildings: Design play structures as small-scale versions of castles, cottages, or cityscapes where kids can engage in imaginative play.
Fantasy Themes: Incorporate fantasy elements like fairy-tale gardens, dragon slides, or enchanted forests that transport kids to a magical world.
Themed Play Areas
Themed play areas can transform a standard playground into an extraordinary experience.
Adventure Themes: Create themes based on adventures, like jungle expeditions, underwater exploration, or space missions. One & Only Resorts often use thematic designs to captivate young guests.
Cultural Themes: Reflect the local culture or heritage in the playground design, offering children a fun way to learn about their surroundings.
Adding Whimsical Touches
Small whimsical touches can make a big difference in creating a unique and engaging play area.
Surprise Elements: Add unexpected elements like secret tunnels, playful sculptures, or hidden treasures that children can discover.
Interactive Features: Install features like talking tubes, musical stepping stones, or light-up paths that surprise and delight children.
7. Final Touches - Health and Safety Considerations
Multi-Purpose Playground Paving
Choosing the right playground surface is essential for safety and durability.
Soft Paving: Use soft, impact-absorbing surfaces like rubber or foam tiles to cushion falls and prevent injuries.
Durable Materials: Select materials that are weather-resistant and easy to clean, ensuring the playground remains safe and functional over time.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep the playground safe, clean, and inviting.
Routine Inspections: Conduct regular safety inspections and maintenance checks to identify and address any issues promptly.
Cleanliness: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, especially in high-traffic areas, to ensure the health and safety of all users.
Creating a Fun and Functional Space
The final touches should balance fun and functionality, ensuring the playground is enjoyable and practical.
Balanced Design: Incorporate both active play areas and quiet spaces where children can relax and enjoy a slower pace.
Parental Comfort: Provide seating and shaded areas for parents to watch and interact with their children comfortably.
Conclusion
Designing an exceptional outdoor play area for hotels and resorts involves a blend of creativity, safety, and functionality. By incorporating these ten design ideas, luxury properties can create engaging and memorable play experiences that delight young guests and reassure parents.
From whimsical themes and innovative structures to educational and sensory play, the possibilities are endless for crafting playgrounds that reflect the unique character and values of the resort.
Whether integrating natural elements or providing opportunities for creative expression, a well-designed play area can significantly enhance the overall guest experience, making it a cherished part of any family vacation.