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Coronavirus - How we can help

We recently discovered research showing wooden play and learning elements may be much, much safer for children than the traditional plastic and metal equipment found on most playgrounds.

“When bacteria, such as coronavirus, land on most hard surfaces [such as steel and plastic playground equipment], they can live for up to four to five days.” says Bill Keevil, professor of environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton.

But that’s not the case with wood! Studies show that cellulose in wood absorbs bacteria but will not release it! ''We've never been able to get the bacteria that’s down in the wood back up so it contaminates things on the surface,'' said Dean Cliver, PhD. about his research at the University of Wisconsin.

All our Natural Playgrounds products are made with either Cedar that is naturally bacterial, fungal, and mold resistant, or with treated lumber, which contains copper ions. “We’ve seen viruses just blow apart,” says Bill Keevil, professor of environmental healthcare at the University of Southampton. “They (get bombarded by) copper ions and it just degrades them.”

So in addition to our products being creative and very affordable, they may help prevent the spread of pathogens, such as the Cornavirus, around your playground!

This may therefore be a perfect time for you to think about redesigning your curriculum so your kids spend less time confined indoors, and more time outside running around freely in the fresh air. Let them run and play outdoors, but bring your curriculum outdoors, as well!

“There are now more than 400 outdoor preschools in the U.S. where the outdoors isn’t just for recess. In fact, the outdoors is the school. The woods are used as a backdrop for a solid, hands-on education and a sorely needed way to help a new generation connect with the real world.” https://www.rei.com/blog/news/outdoor-preschool-trends

“Studies show that when students engage with the ever-changing natural world in their learning environment, they demonstrate better concentration, less stress, higher rates of physical activity, increased engagement and improved self-discipline…Natural settings facilitate a calm, cooperative social landscape where students engage with the nature around them.” Frontiers in Psychology Journal, February 2019.

Go natural. It’s safer and healthier!

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