Examples From the “Bamboo Playground” in the Khao-I-Dang Refugee Camp, Thailand

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HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 46: Playgrounds for All Children > Examples From the “Bamboo Playground” in the Khao-I-Dang Refugee Camp, Thailand

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

SEESAW with enclosed seats

Old tires under ends of seesaw act as “shock absorbers.”

PARALLEL BARS for a child whose knees pull together

Smooth bamboo pole between legs helps child learn to walk with knees separated.

HIGHER PARALLEL BARS
for a taller child

CIRCULAR WALKER

Especially good for the child whose sudden uncontrolled movements may knock over an unfixed walker.

holes to adjust height of cross bar

wooden stake in ground

MERRY-GO-ROUND

One way to mount the platform of a merry-go-round.

Small wheels slightly above ground level protect merry-go-round when too many children get onto one side.

wheel mount and bearings of old car

cement

PRECAUTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ALL-CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

1. Involve as much of the community as possible in building and maintaining the playground.
2. Keep the playground simple and build it from local low-cost materials. OIn this way can it serve as a model for families of children with disabilities to build the most useful equipment for their child in their own homes. Resist offers from the local mayor or politicians to build an impressive metal frame playground. This will eliminate community participation and makes the equipment too costly for poor families to build at home.
3. For poles that are put into the ground, use a kind of wood that does not rot quickly. Do not use preservatives. Most have toxic side effects that are likely worse than any benefits.
   To avoid accidents, check strength of poles frequently and replace them at regular intervals—especially during the hot rainy season.
4. Swings can be hung from ropes or chains. Rope or vines are cheaper but may rot or wear through fairly quickly. Plastic or nylon rope will not rot in the rains, but will gradually grow brittle and weak with the sun. As with posts, to avoid accidents, check the strength of ropes frequently by having several heavy persons hang on them at one time. Replace ropes at regular intervals, before they get weak.
5. Regular maintenance of the playground is essential, and this will require planning and organization. Perhaps once a month the village children can take an expedition to cut new poles to replace rotting ones, to repair old equipment, and to build new. Adult coordination of such activity is usually necessary.
6. To boost enthusiasm, keep lists in a public place of all the children and adults who help with the playground— and put a star for each time they help.

Children play on a “merry-go-round” in PROJIMO. Enclosed “cars” protect children with more severe disabilities. A cow’s skull provides handles for a rider.

This page was updated:04 Apr 2024