Painting playground games

Use chalk and layout the entire playground before beginning painting. New asphalt should be allowed to cure for one month prior to painting. School Playground Marking Machine is available with 6 cans of white stripers spray paint and paint machine, for outlining all the game courts. One gallon of each will be more than enough. Detail work is letters, numbers, shapes, and feet.

It is important to use the correct type of paint so that it will wear properly in the outdoor environment. Oil-based paint tends to be messy and not easy to clean up, which is why we recommend water-based latex paint.

Water-based latex paint can be specially formulated for painting playground marking areas and is available in many colors. This is the fastest drying asphalt-appropriate paint and will be dry to the touch in less than three hours. Be sure to sweep down the surface and then wash it down the day before painting.

It is not necessary that you use a top coat or sealer. It can sometimes create slippery surfaces depending on several factors so test a small area before using. Large areas of turf are very attractive, offer a soft surface, and are most desirable for playing many games. When using both the grass and blacktop areas you spread out the distribution of children for better space utilization. For lines in the grass of a permanent nature, mark the courts with a grass killer type product.

Refer to your local school policy for guidelines appropriate use and safety around children. Most states have regulations as to what chemicals can be used around children. Therefore districts typically supervise any chemical that is put on grass or elsewhere on school grounds. Your grounds department or gardening crew typically have a chemical that they use to burn the lines in. We recommend you check with the people who mark your football or baseball fields at the local high school.

They will most likely have an approved product for marking in the lines. This may in fact be a commercial weed killer. Be certain to check what products are regulated by your state.

Regardless of the safety assurances, it is highly suggested that children stay off the grassy areas at least 48 hours after the grass is treated. A line marking machine is available at most high schools or district facilities departments. During the first couple of weeks of school, students will have a structured recess. All the teachers on duty will rotate games and explain them, Chauvette said. Another benefit of the program is students can learn the games and play them at home, said Stoneking.

Chauvette said he recommended the Peaceful Playground because he had ordered the program when he was assistant principal at Chester Academy, but he left before it could get started. There have not been many conflicts on the playground at Center Woods, but issues do arise when students have unstructured time such as lunch or recess, said Stoneking.

The school purchased the program from Bossenmeyer that includes the training materials, the layouts, the directions and the blueprints, said Stoneking. Administrators began working on the Peaceful Playground program in January. They first had to apply for a grant to purchase the program, and then went over the blueprints to see what could be done at Center Woods. Carts, balls and jump ropes have been ordered and students will have to sign out the equipment, which will make them responsible for returning and caring for the items, said Chauvette.

Sign up! Not now, thanks! Building with sand in a sandbox is great for children's healthy development. These plans are for a sandbox with seating around the perimeter. A stage enhances the play area by giving children a place to put on skits and plays, and serves as a space to hold other community events as well. Colorful directional posts can beautify your playspace and are great for pointing out landmarks selected by the community. If there are children present at the build day, you may want to enlist their help to choose the directions and paint the signs.