This post was sponsored by Landscape Structures as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.
In Arizona we have year round park weather so my daughters play outside often. We live by quite a few nice public parks and our very favorite is the City of Chandler’s Tumbleweed park. The Landscape Structures playground has swings, climbing structures, slides and more for children of all ages. My oldest daughter has grown up playing at this park and now she loves playing with her younger sister there too. Playgrounds are a place for play but it’s also where important learning takes place for all ages. The importance of play is recognized and why we prioritize time to visit the park for playtime.
University of Minnesota’s Institute of Childhood Development partnered with Landscape Structures to determine how playtime develops the whole child including leadership and social skills, problem solving, and the value of persistence. My daughters are over six years apart and watching them grow together has been nothing short of incredible. Baby sister shadows her big sister and truly wants to do everything she does. While big sister doesn’t always appreciate it, I am a happy momma watching as she teaches her. Little does she know, she is learning too by playing with her little sister.
The Tumbleweed Park is our top choice for play when we have a few hours of unscheduled time during the week.
Our oldest daughter loved to swing when she was younger. She still loves to swing but now she also loves to swing with her sister.
Playtime is so important for building confidence and self esteem.
Knowing that her baby sister is always watching, our oldest daughter is setting an amazing example. The six year age gap was something I worried about but they are very close and enjoy playing together. We are raising strong confident girls and their playtime is a very important piece of that growth.
Landscape Structures makes finding a park appropriate for families with different aged children easy. Big sister can’t wait until they can both ride bikes together at the playground.
For now she’ll be working on mastering the rock climbing wall so she can be just like her big sister.
Do you recognize the importance of play too?
Learn more about Landscape Structures by connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter. Find a Landscape Structures playground near you and surprise your children with a day of play.
robin masshole mommy says
That is a super cute playground! My kids would love it there – and yes, it is SO important for them to get out there and play!!
Heather says
I bet your kids would love it! This park has so much for different ages to enjoy!
Janel Berchielli (@JanelB) says
That looks like a fun park. I like how that one area is under a cover to hopefully to give you a little protection from the sun.
Heather says
The Arizona summer months are brutal and if it wasn’t for covered playgrounds and our backyard pool, we’d be inside all day!
Marcie says
Not only am I impressed with the play equipment, but I can’t get over to cover over the play structures! I mean, why don’t we have this in Seattle!?!
Heather says
This park truly is incredible and we love that it’s covered!
Terri Steffes says
I am a huge proponent of play. I always made sure we didn’t touch our early childhood play when there was talk of finding more time for academics.
Heather says
There’s no harm in added playtime! We try to compensate the tough academics with plenty of after school and weekend park visits.
Roxanne says
Super smart idea to put a pavilion over the play ground area! I think school aged kids do not get enough play every day.
Heather says
The covering for sun protection is vital in our warmer months. I love that we still have some great places to go out and play when it’s so hot.
The Spirited Sloth says
That looks like a really awesome playground! Especially, as others have noted, the covering! So so smart so kids can play every day regardless of weather! It probably protects the equipment to a degree, too.
Heather says
That covering is so important here in Arizona. I’m always amazed to see awesome parks that are still uncovered. Sun protection is very important here.
Amanda Love says
I am all about allowing the kids to play especially if it’s also educational. It helps build their character and it also develops their social skills! Play is really important.
Heather says
I feel the same way! They think they are just playing, but we know they are learning!
Tereza (@cityscapebliss) says
What a GORGEOUS park! We don’t really have lovely places like this in the UK, at least I haven’t seen them around. I feel like people here really underestimate the play-edu factor for kids here x
Heather says
Bummer! We are so fortunate to have a few great parks near us but this one is definitely our family favorite.
A Busy Bees Life says
Looks like so much fun! We love going to the park but we cannot go all year round. We are looking forward to a great Spring so we can go out more.
Heather says
Assuming that means you live somewhere cold, we have the opposite problem here – it’s too hot to be outside all day June – August. Definitely take advantage of those nice spring days!
reesann723 says
This park is seriously awesome!!! I am huge on making sure my kids have enough play time! I am sad they don’t get enough of it in school!
Heather says
My eight year old daughter goes to a very academically challenging school so playtime at home is so important.
Anvita says
This seems like an awesome park. My son loves going to the park and i am happy the he enjoys spending more time outdoors than on his screen
Heather says
In Arizona there are many months when we shouldn’t be outside all day. That just means starting our park time earlier! This park really is awesome.
annalisanuttall says
What a fun awesome park, I wish we have something like this where I live so I could take my niece. xx
Heather says
This really is a fantastic park!
Teresa says
I do as well. My kids are not teenagers and a teen, but they do sometimes ask to go to the park (at least my youngest still does). I would have to say she is the one that did not get to enjoy the most time at park free playing as her older siblings vetoed her often.
Heather says
I only have two daughters and I was lucky to be able to stay home with my youngest while she was little. I now work from home and am doing my best to make sure our youngest gets her mommy time too.
Salt + Light says
This park looks so cute!!! Social skills are so important for young ones and even old ones like us! 🙂
Heather says
This park is so awesome and it’s a very favorite for my girls.
FitSlowCookerQueen says
Cute park! I wish we had parks like this when I was growing up. Play time is definitely important. I’d even argue we should never stop playing ha!
Heather says
True, my girls have so much fun at the park together!
Rose Sahetapy says
Going out and play at the park is one of the biggest joy kids can have. It’s not only fun, but also builds a special bond between siblings. Not only that, like you’ve said playtime is so important for building confidence and self esteem.
Heather says
My daughters have such a special bond over playing at the park together!
savagesevenblog says
play is very important for a child’s development. I also feel that children learn faster and retain more when play is incorporated in learning. Great post.
Heather says
Thank you! Play is so important!
Kiwi says
Kids cant be kids without play. They should play as much as they can until they become adults like us worrying about bills.
Heather says
Agreed! I remember always wanting to grow up – now I give my children opposite advice – play as long as you can!