Playground Equipment
Building Playful Communities Since 1929
Playground Equipment For Every Space and Budget
Since 1929, GameTime has been a pioneer in the commercial playground equipment industry. From the first commercially available inclusive playgrounds to cutting-edge custom playground designs, GameTime has a rich heritage of innovation.
All of our playgrounds equipment, playground surfacing, park amenities, and other play and recreation products are constructed from the highest quality materials and backed by the industry’s best warranty and customer service.
Case Study
Trailside Park
Snyderville, UT
Playground Equipment Design Resources
GameTime has been designing playground equipment since 1929 -- that's almost a century! We manufacture and design playground equipment for communities and families throughout the world. We partner with play researchers to accumulate a wealth of knowledge about what playground equipment you should choose and how to design the best playground for your community. Our local playground equipment experts are excited to be your partners in play.
Play Systems
You'll find the perfect play structure for any site in our vast selection of play systems, appealing to kids of all ages and abilities. Our playground equipment is covered by one of the industry's best warranties.
Balancing
We offer more than just the standard balance beam for kids -- our balancing play equipment options range from ninja steps to hanging pods.
Climbers
Our climbing play equipment comes in all shapes and sizes -- from rock climbing walls to DNA climbers to net climbers. Add climbing playground equipment to your park or school playground to help keep kids active.
Motion & Spinning Playground Equipment
If a play structure includes motion play equipment like our Xcelerator or spinning leaf seats, kids are sure to play for years to come.
Music & Sound
Add music and sound to your play structure so kids can enjoy auditory play.
Nets
Add nets to your play space and add hours of entertainment.
Slides
What kind of playground slide are you looking for? A winding spiral slide, or a sleek, fast zip slide? A metal slide, or a plastic slide? GameTime offers a wide variety of playground slides.
Signs
All playgrounds need proper signage, and GameTime offers attractive sign options.
Preschool Products
Add preschool play equipment like sand and water tables and crawl tubes to invite preschool-aged children to your play structure.
Swings
Playground swings are sure to take your play structure to a new level.
Zip Lines
Add a zip line to your playground, and create an epic adventure.
News from GameTime
Check out the latest news and information about playground equipment from GameTime
Outdoor fitness spaces are becoming a popular addition to parks, schools, HOAs, and community recreation areas. They provide accessible opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, improve wellness, and connect with others outdoors.
Poor planning can turn a great outdoor fitness idea into a missed opportunity. Explore the most common mistakes and learn how to set your project up for success.
Start With Your Goals
Before selecting equipment, determine who the space is designed to serve. Understanding your audience will help guide decisions about your new outdoor fitness project.
Ask questions like:
- Will the space primarily serve adults, seniors, or multiple generations?
- How many people do you expect to use it?
- Will it complement existing amenities like trails, playgrounds, or sports courts?
These questions will help ensure your park meets the needs of more members of your community.
Evaluate the Site
Accessibility, supervision, shade, drainage, and maintenance all affect long-term
One of the biggest misconceptions about playgrounds is that every project has to cost six figures. The reality? Communities, schools, churches, HOAs, and childcare centers build amazing play spaces every year on much smaller budgets.
With smart planning, phased installation, and the right equipment choices, a high-quality playground can fit almost any budget.
Start With the “$1,000 Per Child” Rule
A common starting point in playground budgeting is estimating around $1,000 per child capacity for a play system.
For example:
- 15-child playground = approximately $15,000 project
- 25-child playground = approximately $25,000 project
- 50-child playground = approximately $50,000 project
- 75-child playground = approximately $75,000 project
This rule is not exact, but it helps schools and parks departments quickly estimate realistic project costs early in planning.
What Actually Impacts Playground Cost?
Play System Size
The biggest cost driver is the size and complexity of the main structure.
Planning a playground for a park or school is more involved than most people expect. From compliance standards to budgets, the decisions can feel overwhelming — especially if you're doing it for the first time. Whether you're a parks director, PTA member, school administrator, or municipality planner, getting the answers right before breaking ground can save thousands of dollars and prevent costly redesigns later.
This guide answers the 10 most common playground planning questions asked by parks departments and schools across the country. You'll find clear, practical answers covering site selection, equipment standards, ADA compliance, surfacing options, maintenance expectations, and more — everything you need to move from idea to installation with confidence.
1. What Playground Equipment Is Best for Parks and Schools?
Playground design has taken dramatic turns in the past decades. Playground equipment you might remember from your childhood has been redesigned with compliance and inclusion