Written by Harrie Kerkhof, Director of Operations at Yalp Interactive

Earnings over cost

In the year 2000, I started working in the playground industry, and I can honestly say that I have donated my heart to PLAY. What a fantastic industry, I cannot see myself working anywhere else with the same passion.

In the past years, I have fulfilled various roles from sales to marketing to an export manager traveling the globe. I met a great variety of customers, colleagues, marketing, and sales teams abroad, which I was privileged to meet and present. Looking back on those years, I learned that our industry is often budget-oriented. A playground almost always includes a slide. Are we not consistently doing more of the same? Shouldn’t we broaden our offering?

What are the right questions?

Take an average city of 80.000 inhabitants. This city might have approximately 100 play and sports areas to maintain. They can vary from a small stand-alone rocker installed on a sidewalk to a large destination playground in a city center park and everything in between. What is it that sets our playgrounds apart? Because while they may all look different, most offer very similar play values(sliding, climbing, swinging, etc.), while targeting the same group.

I genuinely believe any city today investing in a new playground, will contribute significantly to our society. Being physically active outdoors while developing our motor and social skills is tremendously important. But I also genuinely believe we can get more out of playgrounds.

Having a disability places you in the world’s largest minority group. Over a billion people live with a type of disability. And between 110-190 million adults have significant difficulties in functioning (source World Health Organisation). These numbers should speak for themselves, but there is much more to it. What if we truly ask ourselves, “Who do we like to include?”

We all know there is much more to inclusive play than merely making a playground accessible for those using mobility devices.

But what about including parents and grandparents? Or even more out-of-the-box, including those who do not regularly visit a playground yet?

Getting everyone involved!

Shouldn’t we also focus on getting the less active individuals more engaged?

I often use the example of a new soccer pitch. Success is guaranteed in our soccer continent Europe. But are the earnings inline with the investment? Do we achieve our goals? Will this new activate the group of inactive? Will it activate the more obese boys and girls? Or will we stick to more of the same for the same group of people? The boys and girls who already play outside and now also have another play area to go to.

As a father, my best experiences involve playtime with my son and daughter. And I do not mean the experience when I was sitting at a bench in the playground waiting for them to stop playing, which may be recognizable, because I find myself often in a rush with my busy Saturday schedule. No, I mean the times we played together and created our memorable moments. With their ages now 12 and 15, we do not visit the slides and swings anymore, but often we can be found in our outdoor showroom at the Yalp office. 😊

Good practice from Australia

Recently I watched an interactive play webinar from our distributor Lark Industries. Compliments to Ryan, the presenter on how he reviewed and analyzed a project with an ever-popular Sky Walk tower installation, a destination structure, which offers climbing and sliding, from exciting heights. A concept that is popular, but as we all know, a significant investment. By comparison, for a similar investment for one large play tower structure, one would invest in a full interactive play park, containing five varied play solutions, with play possibilities for sport, learning, music, dancing, agility, and physical exertion. I believe the earnings would be exceedingly higher with a lower investment.

Just take a look at the video below, presenting our take on future playgrounds.

I also fully agree with their statement interactives are not designed to substitute the traditional play all children love. Their proper place is alongside these traditional play experiences, as a new, exciting, and ever-evolving way to play. But even a stand-alone interactive can provide a unique play experience at limited costs.

Good practice from Norway

Another example I’d like to share is the Memo at the Dale Skule. To me, a great example of a school looking more to the earnings by putting the focus on playful learning, 20th-century skills, and interaction. They followed their dream and dared to invest in ‘A new way to play,’ our company’s payoff😉.

The phrase “playing and learning go hand in hand” appealed to us when we had the opportunity to design our new schoolyard. We believe that digital learning, physical activity, and interacting children are key factors to education in the 20th century. Our vision at Dale school is to be a digital school and a school for the future. We were pleased to discover that we could bring this vision to our playground as well, by investing in Yalp Memo. The Memo brings activity to the playground throughout the day, not just during school hours – which is positive for our community.

Malin Sæterdal – Teamleiar, barnetrinnet Dale skule – Norway

Static or dynamic

As the interactives are internet-connected, we can provide dynamic content or game updates, remote access, and analytical data, all significant to the solutions’ long-term value.

In Norway’s good practice, this means we can provide the customer with feedback on how well the product is being used. They can then mirror this to their investment. Last year alone, Yalp provided 290.000 hours of play to the world. This makes me proud and passionate about what we do!

Put it to the test

I want to end this blog with a small exercise. Below I have listed items to score from 0 – 10. Of course, you can expand this list to your wishes. For example, add competition, the possibility to play in the evening, 21st-century skills. You are your own judge, so it can not be done wrong. How cool is that!

For example, I scored a standard playground consisting of a swing, sandbox, play tower with a slide and climbing element. I rated this playground with 52 points (see table). Next, I scored one Yalp Sona Interactive dance and play arch along with the same measurements, scoring 90 points. When dividing the budget by the score, you find the investment rate is lower with the Sona.

Please do not make false conclusions. In my perfect world, I would opt to raise the budget to combine traditional with interactive play.

In conclusion, please consider doing things differently and with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. In the playground business, I preach to look more to the earnings. This might add much more value to your city or business. You might surprise yourself seeing elderly play together with teens and small children and others challenging each other and having even more FUN together.

Play-is-on.

We’re here to answer any questions! Contact us at info@eliteareas.gr .

1. It lowers blood pressure and reduces stress

Studies have shown that physical activity outdoors lowers a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. As a result, exercise outdoors feels less strenuous than similar exercise indoors, which, in turn, pushes you closer to your maximum performance. Train outdoors, push yourself to the limit, and keep breaking your personal record!

2. Helps with insomnia

When you exercise outdoors, you get fresh air which helps to alleviate insomnia. Regular exercise and fresh air will help you to fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep!

3. Sunshine

When training outdoors, you can also enjoy the benefits of sunshine. Fresh outdoor air and natural light invigorate and provide more energy for the mind and body. Sunshine provides the vitamin D that we need, you will get a suntan while training, and the sun will lift your spirits! Sunlight also enhances energy generation in the muscles and oxidation of the tissues.

When training outdoors, consider the possible harm caused by excessive sunlight, such as dehydration and sunburn. So don’t forget protective sunscreen and hydration while training outdoors!

4. Free of charge

Outdoor workouts are often completely free of charge because exercise parks, sports tracks, stairs, and other exercise locations outdoors are usually open to all and free of charge. Outdoor exercise is good for your wallet!

5. Saves time and nature

Think creatively about your surroundings and devise an intensive training session on a nearby jogging track, hill, or stairs, for example. Training locations are often closer than you think! Using nearby locations saves not only time but also natural resources since there is no need to take your car to your workout. Did you know that you can also find Yalp Interactive play and sports equipment nearby using our Activity Map?

6. Variation in your regular workout

Break the routine! Perform your indoor workout outdoors and include movements such as aerobics exercise. Did you know we have a variety of fitness games to choose from!

7. The chance to try something new

Take your workout to a new level, try something new! Take advantage of new training opportunities to add content to your standard workout, or create a whole new routine. Have you already tried activities such as parkour or street workout? Make your workout different, more effective, and refreshing!

8. Vary your regular training environment

Leave the stuffy and dark gym behind and do your workout in a fresh and bright setting outdoors, enjoying the multiple benefits of an outdoor workout. Cities offer a multitude of workout venues. Exercise parks, sports fields, stairs, and exercise areas along jogging trails provide a range of opportunities to diversify your workout and explore new training places.

9. The chance to train together  

Most outdoor workout sites such as sports parks and tracks are open to everyone, free of charge. This will enable you to train and spend time exercising together with your friends and nearest and dearest, who do not go to the same gym with you. Moreover, training outdoors is an excellent opportunity to meet new people while performing your workout!

10. Better mood

All in all, outdoor exercise benefits the whole body by bringing joy, well-being, and a better mood!

If you would like further information on how the interactive playsets can benefit you; We would be more than happy to join forces with you and find the best solution tailored to your wishes. We’re here to answer any questions! Contact us at info@eliteareas.gr .

Written by David Flanigan, Director of Market Development at Yalp Interactive

The integration of technology and play is a winning combination

Look at me! I am standing under the newly installed Yalp Sona Interactive dance and play arch at the JFK Park in Reynoldsburg, OH, the birthplace of the tomato (notice the custom flooring with the tomato). When I visited our good friends at Midstates Recreation, I had the opportunity to visit this playground and see first hand the excitement that kids had when playing on it. Their sheer joy and laughter was clear proof that the integration of technology and play is a winning combination.

Bringing play from the digital world and the physical world together

We all know that kids are spending countless hours in front of a screen, not only for gaming and social media but due to COVID, many kids are attending school virtually. What will the future be like for kids if they are addicted to their screens and don’t want to go outside and play? What will draw them outside to play and have fun without being tethered to a device? Do we simply take away all technology from kids and force them to be outside? We all know that is not a solution. However, there is another way! How about bringing together the digital world with the physical world? That’s exactly how the team at Yalp Interactive thinks about interactive play. Yalp Interactive playgrounds are designed to be fun, encourage creativity, promote physical activity, have the ability to “level up” in the games, and get kids outside.

And, since the interactives are connected to the cloud, users can track usage data statistics, upload new games and adjust settings remotely. As technology continues to advance across the globe, there is a growing trend for cities to become SMART cities. This includes having wifi hotspots and technology integration in public spaces, including parks. Recently, the Luskin Center at UCLA published SMART Parks: A toolkit. This toolkit is aimed at “park managers, designers, advocates, and anyone who wishes to learn how technology can be incorporated into parks.” While there may be questions and reservations about integrating technology into public spaces, there is no doubt this trend will continue to grow.

Play is fundamental to child development

While we can’t fully predict the future, we know that play will continue to be a fundamental part of child development. In fact, play is something we all need regardless of our age. That is why it is imperative that we look at how technology can be used to encourage kids to get outside, play longer, and come back outside again. The Yalp Interactive playgrounds are the perfect solution!

We’re here to answer any questions! Contact us at info@eliteareas.gr .

Playing and learning go hand in hand.

Playing supports learning because it stimulates the entire body, and it leaves a memory of the learning experience in the nervous system. Physical activity, while playing stimulates memory and teaches creative thinking. “Playing is a method for children to process and apply what they have learned before. Play is about using imagination and understanding patterns and causalities. Play is an arena for creative thinking, for leaving routines behind and finding new solutions,” says educational researcher and lecturer Pirkko Siklander from the University of Oulu. An excellent example of creative thinking is children’s ability to adapt their environment to any game they have in mind. Playing also teaches children the laws of physics and basic everyday skills.

Playing is a way to learn about society.

“Playing helps children develop emotionally, for example, by teaching them to recognize and master different feelings. Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills also develop when you have to think about moving the game forward. By thinking about individual situations and deciding, for example, whether more toys are needed,” explains Siklander. Research shows that roleplaying games are significant for learning. Playing allows children to take up reciprocal positions and look at things from the leader and the follower’s perspective. “Even planning the scenario and roles is a learning experience, as the children have to use previous experience and their understanding and knowledge of the subject. The game itself is an opportunity to accumulate new knowledge with the help of others,” says Siklander.

Playing is an active form of learning.

The physical aspects of play challenge both body and mind, and children get natural feedback on their stamina and skills. Playing offers children the opportunity to learn new things. “Play is an active form of entertainment for children. Watching television, for example, is not the same as playing. When playing, children receive impulses that stimulate them and keep them motivated”. Brain research shows that people function holistically and that physical activity also stimulates the mind. Therefore, the importance of movement can not be overestimated and should be integrated into the learning process. “We all know how a little exercise can help to suddenly find a solution to a problem that one has been dealing with for a long time. The brain needs time to process new information, so it is important that the entire body remains active, either during the learning scenario or shortly afterward,” says Siklander.

We should be practicing physical distancing instead of social distancing. We’re here to answer any questions! Let’s talk! Contact us at info@eliteareas.gr .

Written by David Flanigan, Director of Market Development at Yalp Interactive 

It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since COVID-19 changed all of our lives. Social distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing and work/school from home are the new norm.

Unfortunately, many playgrounds across the country were closed and fenced off. I know this was devastating for so many kids and families who looked forward to playing with their friends.  It is disheartening to see your favorite playground fenced off and not be able to play with your friends and family.  Of course, it is very important to ensure that everyone is safe and follows the guidelines for physical distancing and washing hands after touching surfaces. The good news is that playgrounds are starting to re-open with robust cleaning efforts underway and guidance on how to safely play.

The team at Yalp Interactive is focused on ensuring all kids can safely play, even during the pandemic. That is why we believe you can be physically distant on the playgrounds without being socially distant. In the summer of 2020, we created a document that highlights how our interactive playgrounds are essentially “touch free.” You can use your elbow to activate the games and all of the maintenance and settings for the playgrounds are done remotely through My Yalp user interface!

We are also very encouraged to see high levels of play on the newly installed Yalp Interactive Playgrounds. Recently, Kraftsman installed a Yalp Memo Interactive play pillars and Yalp Sutu Interactive ball wall at the Old Fair Park in Fredericksburg, TX. Since it was activated in December 2020, there have been a high level of use each day, further showing that safe play is able to happen even during the pandemic.

We should be practicing physical distancing instead of social distancing. We’re here to answer any questions! Let’s talk! Contact us at info@eliteareas.gr .