Design Matters. Play Matters More.

Posted on January 17, 2019 by PlayLSI

We design playstructures to complement their surroundings. But more than that, we design them to complement childhood. Every aesthetic choice is also a choice for fun, for growth, for learning, for exploration. All the things that make play part of shaping better adults. And that’s what really matters.

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 2019 Playground Catalog, then request a copy.

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 request a copy.

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 the 2019 Aqua Play Catalog, then request a copy.

Play Will Always Shape Us

Posted on January 10, 2019 by PlayLSI

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBsHikZcRg]

Play is powerful. It instills important values like leadership, perseverance and cooperation in kids. That’s why we design playgrounds that add value to kids’ experiences, and bring individuals of all ages and abilities together for play. Play is everything, and no matter our age, we come back to what we know… Play will always shape us.

We are proud to lead the conversation about the power of play with this video, and want to help you lead the conversation in your communities. Request a download of our Video Discussion Guide here.

Help us spread the important message heard in this video by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues on social media. And be sure to tell us how play has shaped your life using #shapedbyplay.

Contribute to children’s development with well-designed playgrounds

Posted on August 2, 2018 by PlayLSI

Child development experts tell us that what looks like mere child’s play is preparation for a successful adult life–as vital as learning to walk and talk. But few studies have examined patterns of play on specific playground equipment to assess how these play spaces might shape children’s development. To find out, we commissioned an observational study in partnership with the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development.

Children demonstrated key developmental skills in a variety of ways, with behaviors often linked to specific types of equipment. For example, children’s gross motor play—seen on swings, slides, overhead events and climbers—may contribute to physical development. Imaginative play has been linked to language development, social competence and self-regulation. Even waiting in line requires children to take turns and consider others’ needs. To request a complete copy of the research whitepaper, go to playlsi.com/whitepapers.

Our observations showed that well-designed play spaces contribute to the development of children. By helping them learn and practice key life skills, great playgrounds help children grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults. Watch our video below that brings the WHY of what we do to life.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3878sEXPuVE]

Be Amazing.

Posted on January 18, 2018 by PlayLSI

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.

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.

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.

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.

Invigorated because of play

Posted on December 14, 2017 by PlayLSI

We were proud to offer the Nebraska Recreation & Parks Association (NeRPA) a Speaker Scholarship for the 2017 State Conference to support its members’ professional development. Today, we’re happy to have Amanda English, recreation supervisor for City of Omaha Parks & Recreation, as our guest blogger sharing how she’s #shapedbyplay.

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Building the leaders of tomorrow

Posted on September 21, 2017 by PlayLSI

Play shapes us. It helps build leaders, encourage collaboration, teach persistence, develop problem-solving skills and much more. That’s why we launched the Shaped by Play Scholarship in June. Our goal was to fund activities that help build the leaders of tomorrow.

We accepted nominations for the scholarship throughout the summer, and are excited to announce the winners! We were able to award 16 individuals a scholarship to participate in activities ranging from figure skating lessons to invention camp.

See the list of scholarship recipients below, and see how they’re planning to use the funds:

Audrey D. from Victoria, B.C., will participate in summer figure skating camps
Chad D. from Lexington, S.C., will get inspired at Camp Invention
Charlize H. from Forest Park, Ga., will take an educational trip to Disney World focused on physics
Connor N. from Mifflinburg, Penn., will attend soccer camp, art lessons or an engineering/creative activity
Dmitri J. from Belvidere, Ill., will continue cello lessons at the Music Academy of Rockford
Emily S. from Victoria, B.C., will participate in a sports camp next summer
Ka’Mauri D. from Washington, D.C., will take charge of her own learning experience at Steve & Kate’s Camp next summer
Kelsey M. from Tallahassee, Fla., will improve her skills through club volleyball camps at the Prostyle Volleyball Academy
Kendal F. from Washington, D.C., will participate in gymnastics classes
Lauren N. from Palatka, Fla., will play in the upcoming soccer season and buy new equipment
Lili L. from Houston, Texas, will compete in the Miracle League All-Star Game
Miranda E. from Bennett, Colo., will take swimming lessons and purchase a membership to the pool
Morgan M. from Pittsburgh, Penn., will put the scholarship dollars towards college tuition, books and housing
Scott B. from Cypress, Texas, will compete in the Miracle League All-Star Game
Terron G. from Katy, Texas, will play in the Miracle League All-Star Game
Xavier D. From Lexington, S.C., will take on challenges at Camp Invention

Stay tuned throughout the next year, as we check in with our Shaped by Play Scholarship recipients to learn about their experiences.

Decline in children’s play time shown in new study

Posted on September 7, 2017 by PlayLSI

Do you think your kids get enough opportunity for play?

According to our recent poll, more than half of parents think that children today have fewer opportunities for play than children 20 years ago. And while nearly two-thirds of parents think the ideal amount of daily play time is between one and two hours, they reported that their children get one hour or less of unstructured play time each day.

Our survey, which took place in June 2017 and was conducted by ORC International, polled parents of children 12 years and under to understand their attitudes on the value of unstructured play. Topics ranged from important life skills gained on the playground to opportunities for free play.

We recently commissioned a meta study in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, which confirmed our culture’s growing infringement on children’s play opportunities. According to the study, a long list of daily distractions competes for children’s free time: hectic family lifestyles, organized activities, T.V. and electronic devices, and academically packed school schedules.

Learn more about our research and request a download of the full whitepaper at shapedbyplay.com.

Play shapes children into successful adults

Posted on July 6, 2017 by PlayLSI

Children’s early experiences and the settings they inhabit play a powerful role in shaping the adults they will become. That’s according to a meta-study we recently commissioned in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development.

Our goal with the meta-study was to understand how children’s play behavior on school and community playgrounds contributes to whole-child health and development. The study aggregates and analyzes key findings from some of the most influential studies on children and play. Request a copy of the full research whitepaper at shapedbyplay.com.

We believe that play and playgrounds help children learn leadership, persistence, competition, bravery, support and empathy. And it’s play experiences that help shape kids into thinkers, dreamers and leaders. Watch our video below that brings the WHY
of what we do to life.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3878sEXPuVE]

Shape kids’ lives with play

Posted on June 2, 2017 by PlayLSI

Play shapes us. We believe this wholeheartedly at Landscape Structures, and that why we’ve launched the Shaped by Play Scholarship. The scholarships, available in amounts between $250 and $3,000, are for kids to use for camps, sports clinics, piano lessons, art classes and more… activities that will help build the leaders of tomorrow through play.

Eligible applicants* will be elementary, middle or high school students, and they must be nominated by a Kiwanis member, parks and recreation professional, or a school principal.

We are now accepting applications for the Shaped by Play Scholarship, and the program will follow the below timeline:

June 1 – July 31: Application period
Aug. 7 – 18: Application review by external judges
Aug. 31: Winners announcement

Contact your local playground consultant with any questions about the Scholarship. In the meantime, find inspiration for your nomination by watching our video that brings the WHY of what we do to life.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3878sEXPuVE]

*The Shaped by Play Scholarship is open to residents of the U.S. or Canada. Employees of Landscape Structures, Aquatix by Landscape Structures and rep organizations, and members of their immediate families are not eligible to participate and win.

Exciting, new products for your 2017 playground designs

Posted on January 26, 2017 by PlayLSI

Good things start on the playground, and that’s because we have exciting new playground products for 2017.

GeoPlex™

The abstract, geometric GeoPlex™ climbing panels for ages 5 to 12 come together in so many different ways to create endless patterns of visual and physical texture.

Smart Play®: Nook 6-23

Sized just right for little crawlers and early walkers, the whimsical Smart Play®: Nook 6-23 offers plenty of colorful activities to capture the attention of young ones.

Smart Play: Loft 2-5

Toddlers graduate from the Nook to Smart Play: Loft 2-5 and enter a world of imaginary play. Even more, the play structure encourages conversation between children and caregivers.

WhooshWinder™ Slide

Give kids a fast, twisty ride down the WhooshWinder™ Slide from 6- or 8-foot decks.

Double Swoosh Slide®

The Double Swoosh Slide® is our steepest double racer slide is now available in 8 feet height.

Learn more about these innovative new commercial playground equipment products on playlsi.com. And watch our video to see how we’re all #shapedbyplay at Landscape Structures.

Together We Play

Bringing the magic of play to communities.

Tag Archives: Shaped by Play

Design Matters. Play Matters More.

Play Will Always Shape Us

Contribute to children’s development with well-designed playgrounds

Be Amazing.

Invigorated because of play

Building the leaders of tomorrow

Decline in children’s play time shown in new study

Play shapes children into successful adults

Shape kids’ lives with play

*The Shaped by Play Scholarship is open to residents of the U.S. or Canada. Employees of Landscape Structures, Aquatix by Landscape Structures and rep organizations, and members of their immediate families are not eligible to participate and win.

Exciting, new products for your 2017 playground designs