Merrifield School wanted to build a "hideaway in the trees" - a little escape area for their Grade 3 learners to chill, eat lunch, read and work. "Toni’s guidance during the design phase was wonderful, she quickly understood what we wanted and after our discussion, provided a layout of what was agreed. "Together we have created a relaxing and cool space that feels like being in a treehouse. "The children LOVE it. They want to be in the jungle gym whenever possible and are always asking if they can go there to complete their work. "I would definitely recommend Rustics Jungle Gyms, their service was amazing. They were fast, reliable and friendly. " Tegan Hoole - Grade 3 teacher

There are huge benefits to be gained from climbing. Most children start climbing when they are toddlers - in fact, this is a very stressful time for most parents, because you just can't stop them climbing - out of cots or onto the top of the sofa or the windowsill. There are many physical and mental benefits of climbing so it is important to encourage it in our children of all ages. Rustics Jungle Gyms has just the right equipment to get your children climbing - whatever their age! Send us an email and we can show you more!

Climbing is a risky play activity but the many, many benefits for children of all ages, easily balance any risks. Here are a 10 of those benefits. Climbing: 1. is an excellent gross motor activity for physical strength and development.(see our series of articles on Physical Development) 2. teaches risk assessment skills 3. teaches concentration and how to execute a multi-step plan while staying focused. 4. boosts self-confidence and self-esteem – teaches them how to think for themselves and feel confident about their choices. ‘I made it!’ 5. builds flexibility in body and mind. 6. develops more complex neural networks in the brain. As they move the left side of their body, the right part of their brain lights up with activity; as they move the right side, the left side lights up—and using both sides at once to climb helps forge connections between the two. 7. develops a resilient “I can do it” attitude. 8. develops problem solving, decision making and strong spatial reasoning skills as they determine hand and foot placement and work out the best climbing route 9. provides lots of feedback about where their body is in space, teaching prioception or kinaesthesia. 10. gives a great view!

We know that there are many benefits of getting children outside and physically active but Sometimes, they just need a bit of encouragement to get them started. Here are a few playground games to inspire them to go outside and get the most out of their playground. Be warned - when you get them outside and engaged, you may struggle to get them back inside! Follow the leader Following the leader not only keeps children physically active but teaches them to mimic and perform actions. The ‘leader’ must move around the jungle gym by running, hanging, climbing, or swinging, alternating their movements and performing different actions that the other players must mimic. Red Light, Green Light This game challenges listening and reaction time. One player, the traffic light, stands at the one end of the jungle gym, with the other players on the other end. Their goal is to get to the traffic light, but they can only move when the light is green ie the person is facing away from the group. When the traffic light turns around and says “red light!”, all players must stand still. If someone is caught moving, they have to go back to the beginning. The Floor is Lava Inspiring imagination, by pretending the floor is lava, children must move between activities on the jungle gym without touching the floor. One of the hardest parts of being a parent is getting your children away from enticing computer screens and into the outdoors, we hope using these games you will succeed in giving them the benefits of outdoor exercise You could even take your fitness routine outside and play with them! See our previous story on jungle gyms and adult fitness.

Physical activity boosts blood flow all over the body, including to the brain. Which results in better thinking skills. Studies show that people who exercise more are sharper mentally. The effects may be almost immediate. One study found that kids scored higher on math and reading comprehension tests after exercising for 20 minutes. But, according to April Bowling, assistant professor at Merrimack College, “Exercise doesn’t only increase blood flow, aerobic exercise also seems to change where the brain directs its resources, from areas of the brain that are involved in worrying, for example, and toward areas that are more involved in coordination and focus. “Secondly, aerobic exercise can change brain chemistry, and specifically the levels of certain neurotransmitters that might help improve an individual’s self-regulation. When mood and self-regulation — the ability to control behaviour — is improved, then children can function better in the classroom.” Get a Jungle Gym to get your children exercising!

Sometimes relocation of a jungle gym is unavoidable – maybe you are moving house or, you are redesigning your playground to add new and exciting activities. When deciding what to move and how, it is essential to use a qualified installer. Any outside playground equipment is not only affected by use, but also by the environment in which it is installed and will degrade over time. Before dismantling playground equipment it is essential to draw up a site plan showing how it was installed and how much space it requires, including instructions and drawings of how it should be assembled. The equipment should be carefully dismantled by someone who is experienced in the installation of playground equipment. Only someone with experience will recognise any dangerous degradation of the fixtures, fittings and building materials. Volunteers or inexperienced workers may have the best intentions but without the prerequisite knowledge may end up rebuilding a playground which is unsafe. If there are some parts of your jungle gym needing to be replaced, how do you decide if it is worth the expense of upgrading or if it should be completely replaced? We find that if the cost of the repairs is equal to or exceeds one-half of the original cost of the equipment it is probably a good choice financially to consider replacing the entire unit. Installing playground equipment requires skill and experience. Without consistency in the installation, a structure can be compromised in any number of areas: strength, mobility, safety and durability, to name a few. From concrete footings, to posts and clamps, to the very last bolt tightened, the expertise of the installation team determines the success of a playground installation. Once the equipment is reinstalled at the new location, it is essential to continue with regular inspections of your playground to ensure that it is still safe. Read this maintenance checklist. Contact us if you need to move a jungle gym - we have been installing jungle gyms since 2006 and we can do it safely!

In the final part of our 5 part series discussing the physical benefits for children of playing on a jungle gym - we continue with the benefits of developing flexibility and joint health and what equipment is best for its development. It is important to keep the body moving so that muscles stay flexible and joints have a wide range of motion. This not only aids in athletic ability but reduces risk of injury. When your kids spend all day seated, it results in stiff muscles that can become easily sore. This makes exercise difficult and painful. The best way to gain flexibility and increase blood flow is to use all muscles and joints regularly. A jungle gym provides a fun way to get your children off the couch and outside. While climbing, crawling, sliding, and swinging, their bodies will enjoy the benefits of activity. Muscles will strengthen and develop, joints will loosen, and flexibility and coordination will improve. Get a jungle gym to improve flexibility and joint health Contact us if you have would like a playground designed to develop flexibility and joint health.

In this edition we present part 4 of a 5 part series discussing the physical benefits for children of playing on a jungle gym - we continue with the benefits of developing gross motor skills and what equipment is best for its development. Gross motor skills require whole body movement and involve the large (core stabilising) muscles of the body to perform everyday functions. Gros motor skills are required for standing and walking, running and jumping, and sitting upright at the table. They also impact on eye-hand coordination skills such as ball throwing, catching and kicking or riding a bike. A lack of gross motor skills will result in difficulties with dressing (where you need to be able to stand on one leg to put your leg into a pant leg without falling over) and climbing into and out of a car or even getting into and out of bed. They can also affect the ability to maintain appropriate table-top posture which will affect a child’s ability to sit upright to attend to class instruction and interestingly will affect their ability to participate in fine motor skills (e.g. writing, drawing and cutting) and hence will impact on academic learning. The large muscles of the body are developed in early childhood – mostly through play. Many of the activities that children enjoy on the playground use and improve gross motor skills. Get a Jungle Gym and improve gross motor skills. Playground equipment to develop core strength Climbing frames and climbing walls require whole-body engagement. The upper body is used to reach for the next handhold and the lower body is used to push up to the next step. Monkey bars and rings utilise the upper body to stay off the ground and also improve coordination and balance. Slides engage the lower body in order to climb to the top of the slide and require the upper body and vestibular system to hold the head upright when going down the slide. Swinging – coordinating the movement of arms legs and trunk to keep the swing in motion will develop gross motor skills Balance beams – require strength in the whole body to retain balance while moving forward along the beam. Tunnels - Crawling through tunnels is good for developing a sense of the body and its position. Take a look at the Rustics Jungle Gyms Tarantula playsystem in action Contact us if you have would like a playground design to develop core strength

Upper body strength is not just for bodybuilders at the gym—it is important for a child’s coordination and posture. Many children have poor posture due to excessive screen time which puts undue strain on the neck and spine. Developing these muscles also makes activities of daily life easier, such as pulling, lifting, and carrying. Benefits of Upper body strength It improves overall health: Strength training of any kind can help kids maintain a healthy weight, cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It boosts bone strength: The bones grow fastest during childhood and adolescence. Building bone strength during these phases of growth helps reduce the risk of bone loss later in life. Plus, strong bones help children avoid injuries. It improves coordination: Many activities that help children build upper body strength can also help them develop their gross and fine motor skills. Climbing or moving across the monkey bars, for example, can increase coordination. Improved coordination can help children perform better in sports and in everyday tasks. It improves posture: Strengthening upper back and shoulder muscles can help children maintain better posture and help their spine develop properly. Improper posture can put undue strain on muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones. It boosts athleticism: Throwing a ball, swinging a bat, or swimming across the pool all require upper body strength. It raises self-confidence: When children have good upper body strength, they will be able to throw a ball further or faster than a child who hasn’t. This self-esteem boost can filter into other areas of a child’s life, helping them feel more self-assured in the classroom or social situations. Playground equipment to develop upper body strength Monkey Bars, Monkey Rings and climbing frames Monkey bars, rings and climbing frames use body weight to build strength, grip strength and flexibility and target different muscle groups. Gecko Grip Climbing Wall, Ramp Climber Climbing walls offer an exceptional full-body workout but are especially good for arm strength. Best of all? Children are often too busy having fun to realise how much work they’re putting into it. Rung ladder and Arched monkey bars Climbing ladders and arched monkey bars are an excellent way to work the upper body and core Pull-Up Bar Pullups also work multiple muscle groups but are excellent for building upper body strength. Cargo Net Climbing a cargo net successfully requires children to lift and control their own body weight. Getting to the top of the net without slipping through one of the openings also requires good hand-eye coordination. Contact us if you have would like a playground design to develop upper body strength

In this edition we present part 3 of a 5 part series discussing the physical benefits for children of playing on a jungle gym - we continue with the benefits of Core Strength and what equipment is best for its development. Core strength is needed to stabilise children’s bodies and maintain balance. The core muscles are the muscles around the spine which help to stabilise and protect the spine and help provide a solid base from which movement can take place. neck muscles keep the head stable and upright back muscles keep the spine erect and stable abdominal muscles stabilise the lower back and pelvis in addition, the pelvic floor muscles and diaphragm are also considered to be part of the core If a child has poor core strength, they will have difficulty controlling fine motor skills, such as handwriting, and participating in gross motor activities like school sport. Check out this article to identify whether your child has core strength issues. Benefits of Core strength A strong core means smooth movement and controlled appendages, affecting both gross motor play skills and fine motor classroom skills. On the playground, core strength allows the arms and legs to move freely for running, jumping, climbing, and skipping, giving children confidence to partake in sporting activities. In the classroom, core strength allows children to hold their heads still to read a book or write and to support their torsos, freeing their hands to work on cutting, writing, colouring, and building. They also need core strength to sit comfortably at a desk to listen and to attend to a task. Playground equipment to develop core strength Swings Children need to engage their core abdominal muscles to stay upright in the centre of the swing. The balance required to keep the momentum of the swing also works those core muscles. Climbing frames Any climbing frame which encourages children to climb, pull and clamber will improve core strength - look out for swings, monkey bars, cargo nets, and balance beams in your jungle gym design. Check out the Tarantula, Baby-T and Rons' Unit for good examples of climbing frames to help build core strength. Monkey Bars A child is required to hold their core strong while they move their hands along on the monkey bars. Knotted Ropes and Cargo Nets Lifting and controlling their own body weight to successfully climb a knotted rope or cargo net requires a child to use their core. Balance beams and bridges The core muscles are used to keep the body upright when balancing - balance beams and balance beam bridges can be used for balance practice. Tunnels For younger children, crawling through tunnels is an excellent way to improve core strength. Contact us if you have would like a playground design to develop core strength

Rustics jungle Gyms has recently installed a history-inspired, ship-shaped jungle gym at Yellow Sands Family caravan park, in the Eastern Cape. The ship design was inspired by the story of the Santa Alberto, a ship that sank off the Kwelera Point in 1593. This unique, historical theme provides a platform for the children to exercise their imaginations while gaining many of the other benefits of outdoor play, including physical strength and soft skills development. Parents and grandparents benefit from hours of peace, while the children create their own imaginary world with their new friends. It's a holiday win-win! "Working with the Rustics Jungle Gyms design team was an absolute pleasure. They paid attention to our needs, accommodated any customisations we requested, and ensured that the final design was a perfect realisation of the project dream. The entire team was efficient, responsive, and managed to complete the project impressively quickly. I would absolutely recommend Rustics Jungle Gyms to anyone looking to create a healthy, outdoor play experience for their children." Jason Leppan, Manager, Yellow Sands Resort Family Caravan Park says

In this edition we present part 2 of a 5 part series discussing the physical benefits for children of playing on a jungle gym - we continue with the benefits of Lower Body Strength and what equipment is best for its development. The lower body is the foundation of many of our kids’ daily physical activities. Lower body strength is needed to stand, climb stairs, walk and run. Benefits of Lower body strength Engaging in exercise that uses the legs and lower core leads to: Improved bone health - bones are better able to take the impact without fracturing and the risk of osteoporosis later in life is reduced. Better balance - strengthening the hip, glute and legs muscles stabilises the entire body reducing the risk of falling and getting hurt Improved posture - building lower body muscles stabilises the entire core improving overall posture and helping to avoid the back and neck pain which are typical symptoms of poor posture. Playground equipment to develop lower body strength Most types of weight-bearing exercise are good for improving lower body strength. Weight-bearing exercise is any exercise in which the feet and legs carry the body's weight. Climbing frames Any climbing frame which includes ladders, cargo nets, balance beams and balance beam bridges will help children develop their lower body muscles and bones. Check out the Tarantula, Baby-T and Eye-ex units for good examples of climbing frames to help build lower body strength Ladders, Arched Ladders and Cargo Nets Climbing ladders, arched ladders and cargo nets require the child to bear the weight of their body on their legs and to push their body weight up. In addition to lifting and controlling their own body weight to successfully climb a cargo net, children also need good eye-hand co-ordination to get to the top of the net without slipping through one of the openings. Balance beams and bridges Balancing uses the muscles in the lower body—the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, and inner thigh muscles to keep the body in alignment. More balancing = more strength in these muscles. Research also shows that balance skills help children to develop better language, improve reading and writing skills, improve concentration and body control. Contact us if you have would like a playground design to develop lower body strength