SPACES FOR PLAY

PlayNation looks at some recently completed play projects and newly launched innovations around the country

Williams Den expands toddler play with timberplay

Williams Den, an award-winning tourist attraction in East Yorkshire, has recently enhanced its outdoor play offering with the introduction of extended toddler play areas. Placing play at the heart of everything it does, Williams Den appointed Timberplay to design and build its outdoor play spaces since the earliest stages of the business.

Williams Den represents a distinctive approach to farm diversification, moving away from traditional farm animals to instead focus on landscape-led play spaces. This approach provides children with more challenging and varied play opportunities, including extensive sand and water play. By capitalising on the natural landscape, Williams Den offers generous space for play, avoiding segregated play zones in favour of a more integrated environment.

Rather than confining activities to designated areas, play is spread throughout the site, encouraging children and families to engage with the natural surroundings through activities such as den building. This creates a unique and immersive atmosphere that sets Williams Den apart from more conventional attractions.

Timberplay worked closely with Williams Den to select an ideal range of products specifically designed for toddler play, including a mud kitchen, dwarf castle, sensory elements, and Totter Trail. These features have been thoughtfully positioned across the site to complement the existing play equipment, adding fresh play value to an already popular attraction.

Lowestoft play area gets new lease of life

East Suffolk Council has transformed the Winnipeg Play Area in Lowestoft into a vibrant, inclusive destination designed specifically with younger children in mind. Located directly opposite a primary school, the play space needed to be safe, durable and low maintenance, while offering a rich variety of engaging play opportunities for toddlers and early years users.

The council trusted play specialist Wicksteed with the project. In turn, Wicksteed worked closely with MATTA, developing a practical and colourful surfacing layout that supports inclusive access, with key toddler and inclusive items positioned on MATTA surfacing directly off the existing pathway.

The finished play area provides a wide range of developmentally appropriate play experiences. The Tom Thumb Multiplay Unit features a bespoke play panel designed by the local school children and a Twinkle Ramp, offering easy access for toddlers and those requiring additional support. Inclusive spinning play is provided through the flush Unity Spinner, while imaginative role play is encouraged with the Ice Cream Van and bespoke Winnipeg Station Shop panel, supporting early social and communication skills.

Additional elements such as the Inclusive Squirrel Springy, Rope Basket Swing and in-ground trampoline introduce gentle physical challenge, supporting balance, coordination and confidence-building. A selection of sensory and cognitive play panels completes the space, offering quieter play opportunities ideal for younger children.

The result is a welcoming, inclusive play area where toddlers can explore, learn and play safely – creating a joyful space for families and the wider community to enjoy together.

Inclusive, modular play for every child

Inclusive Play has reintroduced Snug Play, the modular play system designed to spark creativity, movement and collaboration for children in both mainstream and SEND settings. Inspired by Simon Nicholson’s 1971 “Loose Parts” theory, Snug Play is built on the principle that children learn best when they can explore, manipulate, and combine play elements in countless ways. Extensive UK research shows that open-ended play with more “variables” enhances problem-solving, social interaction, and imaginative development.

Developed over three years in the UK, Snug Play features large-scale, tactile pieces that encourage building, climbing, storytelling, and cooperative play. With no fixed outcomes, every session is child-led, promoting deeper engagement and inclusivity.

“Snug Play unlocks creativity in every child,” says Melanie Moreland, Director at Inclusive Play. “It provides schools, childrens’ clubs and community spaces with a research-backed, inclusive solution that nurtures social, sensory, and physical development – all in one versatile system.”

Real-World Impact: Snug Play has been designed to be durable, portable and weather-resistant, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use in the UK. It supports high-energy, collaborative play while remaining staff-light and suitable for a wide age range and all abilities.

Toddler play, redefined

Outdoor play is essential for early childhood development, giving toddlers the freedom to explore, imagine, and build the foundations of physical and social confidence. Understanding these needs has shaped Playdale Playgrounds’ approach to designing early-years environments – most recently reflected in their Little City Plus range.

Little City Plus is a collection of modular stainless steel play towers created specifically for children aged 18 months to five years. Each unit has been carefully designed to suit the way younger children move, think, and play.

The range includes a variety of sensory-rich elements such as tactile panels, colourful features and accessible routes that support toddlers as they learn to navigate their surroundings independently, while ensuring children of all abilities can join in. These details help build fine motor skills and spark creativity, giving children countless ways to interact with the equipment.

Every unit in Little City Plus is designed to offer age-appropriate challenges and highlights Playdale’s dedication to supporting toddlers through thoughtful, development-focused design that brings learning and play together seamlessly.

Cannock Chase District Council refurbishes tired play area

Cannock Chase District Council was keen to make sure its new play area at Cannock Park would be a big improvement on the previous one, which had become tired and outdated. The council wanted a modern and accessible play area with the ‘wow’ factor – and for it to become a destination park.

The council appointed KOMPAN to design the new park and the play specialist followed the brief to use sustainable products as part of the local authority’s climate action plan. With this in mind KOMPAN used its Greenline products throughout the design.