Category Archives: Outdoor Play

Explore the power of outdoor musical instruments

Posted on by
Reply

We’re so excited about the new Rhapsody™ Outdoor Musical Instruments! Not only because the chimes, metallophones and playground drums bring people of all ages and abilities together for jam sessions, but because our musical instruments are the perfect addition to any space.

Rhapsody Outdoor Musical Instruments are a great addition to any new or existing school playgrounds. The instruments can be placed together to encourage musical ensembles or spread about individually for solo performances. Best of all, these outdoor musical instruments for schools will deliver a unique way for students to express themselves.

Rhapsody_innovation

Adding outdoor musical instruments to your park playground is another great option. Kids and their families will come together to create their own music or sound out familiar tunes together. And with the highest quality materials used to make the Rhapsody Outdoor Musical Instruments, your playground instruments will be great sounding, beautiful looking and long lasting.

Rhapsody_City

Because outdoor music play is a multigenerational activity, the Rhapsody Outdoor Musical Instruments fit more environments than just parks and school playgrounds. The outdoor music instruments can be installed at community and senior centers, museums and many other public spaces. These inclusive play activities are sure to encourage individuals of all ages and abilities to explore the power of music.

Join the band

Posted on by
Reply

Rhapsody_Overll_blog

Music is joy. A joy that can be heard and felt. And that’s why we’re so excited to introduce our newest playground innovation—Rhapsody™ Outdoor Musical Instruments! Rhapsody was developed with a highly skilled music advisor to ensure every instrument produces a best-in-class musical quality.

Our outdoor musical instruments invite kids and adults of all abilities to join the band, be creative and express themselves. There are six different instruments available within the Rhapsody collection:

  • Grandioso™ Chimes Accommodating both solo and ensemble performances, these chimes soar two full octaves in a major key.
  • Vivo™ Metallophone Tubes make up the lush notes on this captivating instrument.
  • Animato™ Metallophone Flat bars make up 15 major notes on this instrument.
  • Drums High-quality drum skins stand up to the rigors of play and temperature extremes; choose from the Kundu Drum, Kettle Drum or Goblet Drum.

Our playful and elegant music collection can be installed anywhere—playgrounds, community centers, schools, museums and other public spaces—to encourage individuals of all ages and abilities to explore the power of music. Learn more at playlsi.com.

Case Study: Healing through play

Posted on by
Reply

Thomas M. Menino Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Client: Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston, Mass.

Designers: Cheri Ruane, landscape architect at Spurr, Weston & Sampson’s design studio

Goal: Design an exciting and interesting playground that would be truly inclusive so that kids who are typically developing and those with special needs could play together

ThomasMenino04_BlogThomasMenino01_Blog

Solution: Cheri and her team collaborated with physical and occupational therapists from nearby Spaulding Rehabilitation Center to learn and understand what kinds of therapy and activities should be supported in the park. The playground combines the Evos® playsystem with the PlayBooster® playstructure, landforms were used to create elevation so that space wasn’t taken up by really long lengths of ramps. And sensory-rich and therapy-specific components were included to meet the needs of all visitors.

Read more about how Thomas M. Menino Park brings fun and therapy to the Boston Waterfront.

ThomasMenino02_Blog

Celebrate Kids to Parks Day on May 16

Posted on by
Reply

In just over a week, children and families will descend upon local, state and national parks to celebrate Kids to Parks Day. The event, being held on May 16, 2015, marks the fifth year that the National Park Trust has encouraged children and families to get outside for play, exploration and adventure.

Make the pledge to visit a local park on Kids to Parks Day, May 16.

Visit kidstoparks.org to make the pledge to plan a trip to the park on Saturday, May 16. Just by making the pledge, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Nikon COOLPIX L830 camera. And while your there, you can browse a listing of park events by state and city to find one near you. Or find a nearby playground on playlsi.com that you can go explore.

Tom Sawyer Island at Amelia Earhart Park, Hialeah, Fla.

According to the National Park Trust, Kids to Parks Day is becoming America’s unofficial kick off to summer. So mark your calendar and plan to get out and play on May 16!

Supporting the children and nature movement

Posted on by
Reply

We know that improved concentration and school achievement, reduced stress levels and a foundation of environmental stewardship are just a few of the benefits that kids receive from playing outdoors. That’s why we’re committed to designing nature-inspired commercial playground equipment that gets kids outside for play and reconnecting with the natural world around them.

Children & Nature Network 2015 Conference

Our commitment to outdoor play is also why we’re proud to support the Children & Nature Network’s 2015 Conference April 7-9, in Austin, Texas. We’re looking forward to connecting with leaders from around the world to hear what others are doing to create nature-rich communities that are so critical to the health and wellbeing of children and families.

Learn more about how we help communities create natural play environments, and check out the Children & Nature Network for the latest in research and policies.