Big Play for Small Explorers: Introducing Smart Play® Volo Pico+™

Young children are capable of incredible things. They’re natural explorers, eager problem-solvers and fearless adventurers. Yet playground equipment designed for ages 2 to 5 doesn’t always reflect their growing abilities or curiosity.

At Landscape Structures, we believe early childhood playgrounds should offer more than a few steps, slides and activity panels. They should inspire children to explore, challenge themselves, connect with others and discover what they’re capable of.

That’s why we introduced Smart Play® Volo Pico+™, a first-of-its-kind play experience that reimagines what’s possible for children ages 2 to 5.

Part of our innovative Smart Play family, Volo Pico+ combines inclusive design, age-appropriate challenges and immersive play opportunities in one compact structure. With 21 fully connected activities and endless ways to explore, it delivers big play for small explorers.

Playground Equipment for Ages 2 to 5, Reimagined

Between ages 2 and 5, children experience tremendous physical, cognitive, sensory and social-emotional development. They’re building coordination, testing their balance, developing problem-solving skills and learning how to interact with the world around them.

Playgrounds play an important role in supporting these developmental milestones. To do so, they must give children opportunities to explore at their own pace. At the same time, children need challenges that match their growing abilities.

Too often, playground equipment for younger children offers limited opportunities for discovery. As their confidence and abilities grow, children may lose interest and gravitate toward equipment intended for older kids.

Volo Pico+ takes a different approach.

Rather than prescribing how children should move through the structure, its open-format design invites them to create their own adventures. Multiple entry points and varying levels of challenge allow children to choose their own routes and discover new possibilities with every visit. It’s a play experience that meets children where they are while encouraging them to see how far they can go.

One Net. A Whole New Way to Play.

At the heart of Volo Pico+ is our proprietary LSI Flexx® Net, an innovative, steel-reinforced cable matrix that connects the entire structure.

Unlike traditional playground platforms and stairs, the LSI Flexx Net offers more ways to play. Children can climb, crawl, roll, bounce, balance or simply relax. Plus, the interconnected design encourages movement and makes it easy to explore activities throughout the structure.

And there’s plenty to discover along the way.

Integrated puzzles, diecast car tracks and other hands-on activities encourage fine motor development, imaginative play and problem-solving. Children can move between active physical challenges and quieter moments of exploration. As a result, they experience play that engages both body and mind.

With 21 fully connected activities, Volo Pico+ packs exceptional play value into a compact footprint. During early play testing, families saw the benefits of inclusive play firsthand. For example, Carly’s mother watched her daughter explore the structure with growing confidence. Even more exciting, Carly demonstrated abilities her family had never seen before.

“It wasn’t just about accessibility,” explained Jeannie Beck, Carly’s mom. “It was about giving Carly the opportunity to fully participate, explore, gain confidence and simply play. Watching her discover what she was capable of was a moment we’ll never forget.”

Different Paths. New Discoveries. Endless Possibilities.

Every child develops differently. That’s why inclusive playground design is about more than providing access. It’s about creating meaningful opportunities for children with different abilities, interests and comfort levels to participate.

Volo Pico+ supports a wide range of developmental experiences:

  • Physical development: Climbing, balancing and navigating the net encourage coordination, motor planning, strength and agility.
  • Sensory exploration: Movement, textures and visual elements engage multiple sensory systems, including tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive senses.
  • Cognitive development: Puzzles, pathways and open-ended activities invite problem-solving, decision-making and creative thinking.
  • Social-emotional development: Shared play experiences encourage cooperation, communication and connections with other children.

Its approachable scale and varied access routes help children explore with confidence. The design also provides space for caregivers to enter the structure and engage alongside young children, supporting shared moments of play and discovery.

The result is an ADA-compliant play environment that celebrates different ways of playing and growing.

21 Activities. One Surprisingly Small Footprint.

For landscape architects, park and recreation professionals and school planners, Volo Pico+ offers an exciting way to bring developmentally appropriate play to early childhood environments.

Its compact footprint maximizes play opportunities while minimizing the amount of safety surfacing required. Preconfigured designs simplify planning, with options for integrated shade to help protect children from UV exposure and keep them cooler.

A variety of color choices also makes it easy to complement the surrounding landscape or create a distinctive visual identity.

And for communities planning playgrounds that serve multiple age groups, Volo Pico+ pairs naturally with Smart Play Volo® and Volo Aire®. Together, these structures can create a visually cohesive playground destination with engaging experiences for children at different stages of development.

Big Moves. Small Discoveries. Real Development.

Young children don’t need smaller expectations. They need playgrounds that recognize their abilities, spark their curiosity and give them room to grow.

With Volo Pico+, we’re challenging traditional ideas about early childhood playground design and creating new opportunities for children ages 2 to 5 to explore. Because when we give little kids big opportunities to play, there’s no telling what they’ll discover.

Explore Smart Play Volo Pico+ and discover a new perspective on playground equipment for ages 2 to 5.

Frequently Asked Questions about Volo Pico+

1. What makes Volo Pico+ different from traditional playground equipment for ages 2 to 5?

Smart Play Volo Pico+ features 21 interconnected activities, a central LSI Flexx Net and multiple access points that encourage child-directed exploration rather than prescribed play routes.

2. How does Volo Pico+ support early childhood development?

Volo Pico+ combines climbing, balancing, puzzles, car tracks and social play to encourage physical, cognitive, sensory and social-emotional development in children ages 2 to 5.

3. Can Volo Pico+ be incorporated into a larger playground?

Yes. Volo Pico+ can complement Smart Play Volo and Volo Aire, helping create a visually cohesive playground environment with developmentally appropriate experiences for different age groups.

Congratulations to Penchura, our 2021 Rep of the Year

Palmer Park, Port Huron, Mich.

We’re excited to announce our 2021 Rep Organization of the Year was awarded to Penchura, our playground consultant covering Michigan and Ohio. The company was presented the award during Landscape Structures’ annual sales meeting earlier this year.

“Penchura was named 2021 Rep Organization of the Year because of their culture, team spirit and the best-in-class service to everyone with which they work,” said Pat Faust, president of Landscape Structures. “Penchura has been a great partner of Landscape Structures as well as the playground design industry as a whole, and we are proud to have their team bringing our playground, SkyWays® shade and Aquatix® splash pad solutions to Michigan and Ohio.”

Penchura is committed to providing great recreation spaces to communities throughout Michigan and Ohio using only the highest quality products and service. With a team made up of professional engineers, licensed landscape architects, LEED accredited professionals, designers and support staff, they’re poised to assist clients every step of the way. Penchura, one of more than 50 independent sales organizations representing Landscape Structures worldwide, has been a distributor of Landscape Structures park and playground equipment for more than 15 years.

Meet the team by watching the video below, and learn more at penchura.com.

Spin Toward Tomorrow

At Landscape Structures, we believe that play is the best way to prepare for the future. In play, we get a taste of adventure. We dare ourselves to be brave. We rely on helping hands. We extend a hand to others. We take in a 360-degree view of all that’s left to be explored, and then come back to what grounds us. We can’t predict what’s waiting around every bend, but we can prepare ourselves for the dizzying opportunities tomorrow brings. See what’s new in the 2022 Landscape Structures Catalogs.

2022 Playground Equipment Catalog

You’ll find everything you need to complete your play environment in our 2022 Playground Equipment Catalog. From new products to featured designs, individual components and outdoor fitness equipment, we’ll ensure your play space is everything you imagine and more. Browse our digital catalog, then request a copy.

2022 SkyWays® Digital Catalog

Make a true impact with a fully integrated shade system for your playstructure, splash pad or any activity area. From small to big shade, decorative to themed shade, we have flexible and stylish options for everywhere people like to gather. Browse the SkyWays® Shade Products digital catalog, then contact us to get started on a new commercial shade project.

2022 Aquatix® Digital Catalog

Our splashtastic products engage kids’ imaginations, encourage exploration and deliver exhilarating new experiences with water to people of all abilities and on splash pads of all sizes. Discover how Aquatix® water-based activities can help you create a signature destination. Browse our digital catalog, then contact us to get started on your upcoming splash pad project.

Does your community or school have relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)? We can help enhance your outdoor spaces, support increased maintenance needs, address learning loss and student mental health, and much more. Request the 2022 Landscape Structures Catalogs and contact us to learn how we can support your upcoming projects.

View our 2021 catalogs

Now is the time for play. If ever we’ve needed to rely on the physical, emotional and social benefits of play, it’s now. If ever we’ve needed a chance to feel fresh air, stretch our limbs and have some fun, it’s now. If ever we’ve needed to feel included, capable, understood, it’s now. No matter how much the world changes around us, play will always be an important part of shaping kids’ lives. That’s why we will always come back to play. Read on to learn more about the 2021 Catalogs from Landscape Structures.

2021 Playground Equipment Catalog
You’ll find everything you need to complete your play environment. From new products to featured designs, individual components and fitness equipment, we’ll ensure your play space is everything you imagine and more. Browse our virtual publication, then request a copy.

2021 SkyWays Shade Products Catalog
Give kids and families much needed heat and sun protection while visiting any play, rest or activity area. From small to big shade, decorative to themed shade, we have flexible and stylish options for everywhere people like to gather. Browse the SkyWays® Shade Products virtual catalog, then contact us to get started on a new commercial shade project.

2021 Aquatix Catalog
Our imaginative designs continue to advance the world of dynamic water events—achieving new levels of chilling thrills, challenging interactive games and inventive water-based activities. Invite kids and families of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the brilliance of an Aquatix water experience. Browse our virtual catalog, then contact us to get started on your upcoming splash pad project.

Be Amazing.

Kids play. It’s a simple thing to do. A way to pass the time, let off some steam. To us, play is so much more. It’s a trial run of adulthood. A way for kids to discover and practice all the skills they’ll need in the future. Leadership, persistence, empathy, courage. Play is amazing because it shapes kids for tomorrow. So for a better tomorrow, we play today.

PlayCatalog_Blog
You’ll find everything you need to complete your play environment. From new products to featured designs, individual components and fitness equipment, we’ll ensure your playground is everything you imagine and more. Browse our virtual 2018 Playground Equipment Catalog, then request a copy.

SkyWaysCatalog_Blog
Give kids and families much-needed heat and sun protection while visiting any play, rest or activity area. However much shade you’re looking for, SkyWays® shade products have you covered. Browse our virtual publication, then request a copy of the 2018 SkyWays Shade Products Catalog.

AquatixCatalog_Blog
Invite individuals of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the brilliance of an Aquatix water experience. See how Aquatix moves graceful aqua play experiences well beyond a fun way to cool off. Browse the 2018 Aquatix Catalog, then request a copy.

Encouraging whole-child development with toddler playgrounds

Toddlers and preschoolers always find new, but not always safe, ways to play. That’s why we make playground safety a top priority by creating age- and developmentally appropriate products like our Smart Play® playstructures.  The Smart Play designs specifically for toddlers and preschoolers are packed with play activities to help build their senses, and motor and cognitive skills. See below for more details about these designs:

  • Nook: Designed for kids ages 6 to 23 months, its 20 interactive components prompt adult-child conversations and support whole-child learning across key developmental domains.
  • Loft: Handrails lead 2- to 5-year-olds up into a world of imaginary play, with a built-in find-it game, learning activities, lower level clubhouse and so many more interactive elements.
  • Cube: Plenty of activities in this modern, compact playground design means plenty of fun for little explorers ages 2 to 5.
  • Motion: Packing 16 activities into a compact space, the whimsical Motion playstructure keeps kids ages 2 to 5 entertained in a safe, developmentally appropriate way.

Even more, we’ve partnered with Too Small to Fail to create language-rich playgrounds using their Talking is Teaching creative content on panels and signage throughout the playground. These literacy panels will encourage parent-child conversations to help prepare children for success in school and beyond.

Let's Talk About Food

Learn more about how to create a dream playground for toddlers and preschoolers at playlsi.com, and get started on an early childhood playground design by contacting us here.