We design, manufacture, install and maintain highly engaging, bespoke natural playgrounds for schools.
At TouchWood Play, we are experts in creating outdoor environments that provide rich opportunities for play and learning. We understand that these go hand in hand. Our natural equipment helps schools deliver their learning priorities across all ages, from early years through to older pupils with more complex needs.
We create exciting, nature-led play spaces that help children imagine, move, collaborate, investigate and grow in confidence. If you are looking for outdoor playground equipment for schools that feels purposeful, beautiful and built around your pupils, our education team can help.
Playgrounds expertly curated for schools
We offer two simple ways to work with us, depending on how much flexibility and guidance you need.
Choose a bespoke playground if you…
want a playground designed specifically for your school
have a unique space or specific learning or inclusion needs
are planning a long-term investment in your play space
We’ll guide you through the process and design a playground tailored to your pupils, space and vision.
are short on time and want clear, pre-designed options
have a defined budget
want a natural, high-quality playground that can be installed quickly and easily
Our Ready to Play designs offer a range of curated playgrounds for schools, each with a focus on a different play type. These safe, long-lasting and great value playgrounds have been created by our education design team to inspire, challenge and nurture children.
Our free guide shares tried-and-tested ideas, tips and advice to help schools access funding and bring their play space to life.
We understand that funding school playgrounds can take time. Some schools contact us while building a case for governors, trust boards or grant applications. Others already have funding secured and want to get as much play value as possible from their investment.
We work with a range of school budgets and can advise on phased plans, natural surfacing, focused play zones and design choices that make outdoor playground equipment for schools more achievable without losing quality or character.
At TouchWood, we understand the importance of play in the early years of childhood. Our playgrounds are designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds, offering a safe and stimulating environment where toddlers and preschoolers can explore, learn and grow.
From sensory play areas to mini adventure zones, every element is crafted to support cognitive, physical and social development. Our playgrounds are more than just fun—they’re a foundational step in nurturing a lifelong love of learning.
Key Stage 1 is a pivotal time for children as they begin to expand their horizons and build new skills. TouchWood’s playgrounds for this stage are thoughtfully designed to encourage physical activity, teamwork and problem-solving.
Our equipment challenges young minds and bodies in a fun and engaging way, helping children to build confidence, coordination and social connections. Whether they’re climbing, sliding or exploring, every adventure on our playgrounds is a step towards developing essential life skills.
As children move into Key Stage 2, they’re ready to take on new challenges and adventures. TouchWood’s playgrounds for this stage are designed to provide just the right level of excitement and difficulty, promoting physical fitness, resilience and creative thinking.
With more complex structures and interactive features, our playgrounds encourage children to push their limits, work together and discover the joy of achievement. Here, play is not just a break from learning—it’s an integral part of it.
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Inclusive Play for Every Child
At Touchwood, we believe that every child deserves the joy and benefits of play, regardless of their abilities. All of our playgrounds are thoughtfully designed to be fully inclusive and are audited by David Burdus, ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities can explore, learn and play in a safe and welcoming environment.
With sensory-rich areas, accessible equipment and calming spaces, our playgrounds cater to a diverse range of needs, promoting physical, social and emotional wellbeing. We are committed to creating spaces where all children can thrive, connect and experience the wonder of play together.
At TouchWood, we’re passionate about learning through play.
Our school playgrounds are designed and built to deliver amazing and unique play experiences.
Our playground design for schools encourages children to use their imaginations and create their own adventures in a safe, stimulating, natural setting. Using play to stimulate learning is something we are all passionate about.
Play is one of the earliest forms of storytelling. It is how children learn to negotiate with peers, solve problems and improvise. Through play, children practise social skills such as sharing, listening, leading, following and taking turns. They also bring their own language, customs, interests and culture into the playground.
This is why our playgrounds are designed as more than school breaktime spaces. They can become outdoor classrooms, performance spaces, nature gardens, sensory areas, social zones and places for reflection.
From climbing frames to themed structures, mud kitchens, water play, planters, storytelling spaces and multi-use activity areas, we can create outdoor playground equipment for schools that meets your needs.
Bringing nature indoors with a library treehouse at Winford Primary School. DISCOVER MORE
A new voyage: Pirate Ship playground for Christ Church C of E Primary School DISCOVER MORE
Enhancing play and learning for SEND students at Purple Oaks Academy DISCOVER MORE
KS1 Playground Example: Stanley Green Primary School.
Brief: To create a playground for Stanley Green Primary School that engaged the entire school with an emphasis on Key Stage 1.
To create a playground for Stanley Green Primary School that engaged the entire school, with an emphasis on Key Stage 1.
The school asked us to bring learning and playtime back to life as the focal point of their space. Our answer was to create play area features that encouraged investigation, storytelling, movement and imaginative play.
We provided a handcrafted magnifying glass among sleeper planters, allowing children to investigate nature through an ant farm with perspex windows.
We installed an interactive pea gravel pit with chutes, pulleys, scales and platforms, giving children the tools to take their imagination further. A performance space took centre stage, alongside a giant storytelling throne for show and tell.
To support strength, balance and physical confidence, we also created a fallen forest where pupils can balance, scramble and play. This type of outdoor playground equipment for schools gives younger pupils challenge, choice and open-ended play value.
KS2 Playground Example: Stoke Park Primary School.
Brief: To create a playground that worked across the whole school age range, with particular emphasis on KS2 children.
Through conversations with staff, we discovered that the existing mud kitchen was a focal point for play. We gave it an upgrade by adding a creative playroom, handcrafted log seats, a table and a bespoke tree trunk ordering station.
Water is the ultimate loose part. Water play encourages problem-solving, exploration and investigation at all stages of development. We built in hand pumps, channels, troughs, chutes and pulleys to make this a motivating area for older children.
Thoughtful use of natural materials throughout the space created a calm and nurturing environment. The addition of a bug hotel and planters helped foster an enquiring mind and a sense of stewardship for the natural world.
Projects like this show how playgrounds can support curriculum links, social play, teamwork and physical confidence. They also show how outdoor playground equipment for schools can be imaginative, robust and deeply connected to nature.
Playgrounds designed for schools with bigger age gaps.
Brief: To create a playground that re-energised the outdoor spaces for Penn Fields School, engaging children aged 5 to 19.
This playground design took an existing nature garden that was not being used and gave it purpose.
The school wanted a space with multiple focuses for all key stage groups. We focused on performance, physical challenge, social spaces for reflection and better access to an overgrown pond.
When we design playgrounds for wider age ranges, we think carefully about progression, access, supervision and the different ways pupils use outdoor space. Younger children may need discovery and sensory play. Older pupils may need social spaces, physical challenge, independence and areas that respect their maturity.
For specialist settings, we can also consider sensory needs, quiet zones, accessible routes and adaptable outdoor playground equipment for schools that helps every pupil feel included.
Some of the clients we’ve worked with...
Speak with our dedicated education design team.
If you need a playground, these are the people you need to speak to.
Our team helps educational clients by guiding them through the playground design and build process. They help you understand what is achievable within your budget. They also help you visualise your project with 3D renders of your playground.
From the first conversation, we work to understand your school priorities. You may want to improve behaviour at breaktime, support outdoor learning, create a more inclusive site, encourage physical activity, make better use of an underused area, or invest in a long-term asset for your school community.
You want a playground that helps you achieve your school priorities at breaktime and curriculum time.
You want a classroom without walls, with the sky as its ceiling. You want a space that works for you, whatever the weather. A space that constantly inspires, challenges and nurtures your children. A space that can respond to new priorities over time. A space that you can afford.
We know what you want, and so do you. Talk to us. We are very good listeners.
We have loads of experience creating playgrounds for every budget.
Whether you need to get funding and want an idea of cost, or you already have funding and need to get as much play value into a space as possible, we know how to help.
From early years to secondary schools, we understand that play needs vary widely. Our focus is to provide playscapes that encourage outdoor learning alongside play, movement, wellbeing and exercise.
We work with budgets of all sizes, but typically we work on school projects that cost £50,000 or more. If your school has a smaller budget, we can still discuss options. Phased installations, natural surfacing such as bark chip, grass mats and simpler design choices can help manage costs.
Whatever your starting point, we aim to create school playgrounds that feel distinctive, durable and full of play value.
Frequently asked questions
We create playgrounds that go beyond traditional play equipment by designing natural, imaginative environments that inspire creativity, exploration and social interaction.
Our school playgrounds use high-quality hardwoods and natural materials to blend with outdoor spaces and foster a connection with nature. We tailor each design to meet the needs of the school community, promoting inclusive play that supports physical development, sensory experiences and teamwork.
By collaborating closely with schools, we ensure our playgrounds are safe, engaging and adaptable. We can also provide structures that support outdoor learning and forest school environments, such as planters, magnifying posts, explorer tables, stages with blackboards, covered outdoor classrooms and storytelling environments.
Yes. We are dedicated to ensuring your playground remains a safe and enjoyable environment for pupils and staff.
After installation, we provide a detailed inspection and maintenance manual. This includes checklists based on our guidance, helping you create your own inspection and maintenance plan.
If you need support with ongoing maintenance, we also offer a comprehensive aftercare service. We can arrange an annual play safety inspection and send members of our team to address maintenance issues that arise.
Absolutely. We actively involve our clients in every step of playground creation, from initial conversations and design workshops to concept design, technical design, aftercare support and long-term maintenance.
Your staff know your pupils, site and school culture better than anyone. We use that insight to create outdoor school playground equipment that fits real needs, not assumptions.
Our play structures bring together trim trails, climbing towers, swings and so much more into cohesive learning environments that encourage outdoor play.
Safety is a top priority. All our equipment is designed and built to meet high safety standards, and we collaborate with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents safety inspectors, who evaluate risk levels according to BS EN1176 and BS EN1177 guidelines.
We also offer maintenance services to help your playground remain safe over time.
Installation time varies depending on the size and complexity of the project, but it typically ranges from one to four weeks.
Yes, we work closely with schools to plan the installation schedule. Whenever possible, we arrange for work to be completed during school holidays. This is easier when you contact us further in advance of your desired installation period.
Installing during school holidays helps minimise disruption to pupils and staff. Our team is experienced in coordinating around school timetables to deliver outdoor playground equipment for schools efficiently and with minimal impact on your community.
Yes. We understand that budgets vary, especially for schools. We are committed to working with you to create a beautiful, functional playground that fits your financial constraints without compromising on quality or the natural, imaginative style you love.
We can explore phased installations, simpler designs and creative use of materials. Natural surfacing, such as bark chip or grass mats, can also help keep costs down when compared with artificial surfaces such as wetpour.
Get in touch to discuss your budget and vision, and we will help you find the best route forward.
Our playgrounds are designed and built to last, typically offering a lifespan of 15 to 25 years or more, depending on usage and maintenance.
We use high-quality, durable hardwoods and natural materials selected for longevity and resilience in outdoor environments. To give you added peace of mind, our playground equipment comes with a warranty covering structural integrity and materials.
This helps protect your investment and keeps your equipment safe, useful and enjoyable for many years.
Our design team prioritises inclusivity by creating playgrounds that support children with special educational needs.
We create diverse play environments with a variety of sensory, physical and cognitive experiences. Designs can include accessible pathways, sensory-rich materials, quiet zones and adaptable play features that support different learning styles and needs.
We work closely with schools, SEN specialists and carers where needed, so the playground feels welcoming, safe and stimulating for everyone. Inclusive playgrounds for schools help children develop confidence, social skills and a sense of belonging through play.
Our education design team can quickly help you explore pricing, themes and play value on a call – submit your email address and our team will get in touch.
Our designs are bespoke and no two are the same. We can quickly come up with some ideas to support your project.
