Still at the zoo...

While we are still at the dry part of the zoo, the children can get more heavy work from lots more climbing activities, not necessary upwards but sidewards too! This part of the playground is suitable for younger children. This equipment below allows even very young children to have a go at planning and climbing without parents worrying that they are going too high and out of safety's reach.



The above is a huge see saw of its own class. I like how many children can play on it, sitting, standing, kneeling and lying down on various parts of it. It can be loads of fun! Needless say about the vestibular input (sense of motion) and postural control (ability to balance and control one's body position) that one can work on while playing!

These lily pads on a patch of blue "pond" are really enticing to the imaginative part of the brain. Children can pretend they are frogs jumping from pad to pad or dragon flies flying in and around the pads. Let your child tell you how they'd like to play and join in! The pads are quite far apart and can be too challenging for those 5 and below.

I like sliding poles, and the zoo playground's sliding pole comes complete with the fire engine! So much more meaningful and fun to embed this whole act of sliding down the pole while pretending that we are fireman coming to rescue (the poor animals that are stuck in a fire at the zoo??).
Meanwhile, to let the children take their own time to come down the pole. It can be scary and difficult to coordinate oneself on these poles. When they are ready, they will want to do it, and all you may need is just teach them how to position themselves properly as above.