Eco-Friendly Playgrounds

Photo of Kilburn Grange Adventure Play Park courtesy of erectarchitecture.

Parents know the benefits of installing playgrounds and playsets.

Beyond being a fun activity that gets children outdoors, playground equipment is important for a child’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and interpersonal development. A day in the backyard or at the park does wonders for kids’ physical health, as well as improving their self-confidence and social skills, not to mention giving them the space to imagine, create, and dream.

More moms and dads are looking for ways to incorporate eco-friendly options into every aspect of their children’s lives, including where they play and what they play with. Many families are seeking outdoor play opportunities, and teaching their children about things like recycling, gardening, and composting.

They’re also looking for environmentally-friendly materials when selecting which products to buy, including kids’ toys. Many parks and playgrounds have gotten on board with green options; some being quite impressive.

This beautiful space, Kilburn Grange Park Play, in London, was built in the remains of a Victorian arboretum and made completely from recycled materials, changing everything we’re used to seeing as it relates to playgrounds.

While it isn’t necessarily realistic to have our backyards converted into parks, we can look to some of the top green public playgrounds in the world for great ideas to give us a jump start in buying eco-friendly playground equipment and playhouses for our homes Here are some products you will definitely want to give a closer look.

Deluxe Playground with Climbing Wall

Your kiddos won’t know where to start first! This cedar, eco-friendly playground includes a climbing wall, turret, swings, clubhouse, and picnic area.
Buy it at Cedarworks

Playground with Bridge

It may be difficult to get your kids off of this beautiful structure that includes a clubhouse, bridge, gazebo, swings, and slide. Made completely of cedar, this playground will blend seamlessly into your backyard.
Buy it at Cedarworks

Cedar Swing Set

Made of cedar, this swing set comes with slide, climbing wall, swings, a lookout level and shaded area, but is designed to fit even small yards. Feel good knowing that this set, made by Kids Creations, replants and reforests harvested areas.
Buy it at Kids Creations

Playset with Spiral Tube Slide

Let’s be honest, sometimes a spiral tube slide is the only way to go. Sometimes even moms and dads need to take a spin on the spiral tube slide. No one’s judging, and no one isn’t going to feel great about the rock wall and climbing rope, or steering wheel and telescope. Made entirely of cedar, this is another great offering from Kids Creation.
Buy it at Kids Creations

Circus Playset with Monkey Bars

The great thing about this playset is that it is made of eco-friendly harvested redwood, the bad thing is that it’s large enough to accommodate most of the kids in the neighborhood. Hammock for parent not included.
Buy it at Kids Creations

Rainbow Playground Castle

Playsets from Rainbow Play Systems are made from 100% cedar and redwood timber. Their timber is SFI certified, and they have been in business for over thirty years. This is a product you can feel good about both from a safety and environmental perspective.
Buy it at Rainbow Play Systems

Amish Wooden Playset

Quality craftsmanship can be found with Amish playsets, constructed using southern yellow pine, one of the most sustainably renewed species of tree in the world. This playset will stand up to outdoor weather for years.
Buy it at amishdirectplaysets.com

Redwood and Cedar Playsets

Redwood and cedar playsets naturally resist decay, so no harmful chemicals are needed to treat them. The playsets from Woodplay are responsibly sourced from sustainable, managed forests.
Buy it at Woodplay

Recycled Playsets

Beach Boat Playground

Perfect for the wee ones, your toddler can become a pirate or the captain of a ship! Playmart products are made from recycled plastic – they turn milk jugs into playgrounds by creating a structural plastic “lumber” for decks posts and framework.
Buy it at Playmart

Earth-Friendly Playhouse

Why not make learning about how to be Earth-friendly fun? This playhouse comes with a recycling center, a water reservoir leading to a rain barrel, solar powered light, and a skylight. It also has a small roof section that can be filled with soil to grow grass, and planting boxes to grow real veggies and flowers.
Buy it at Little Tikes

Eco-Friendly Playhouses

Red Cedar Cabin Playhouse

Made entirely of renewable resources, this 225-cubic foot cabin is made of cedar, comes with four functional windows, flower boxes and its own front porch. If your house guests go missing, you may want to check here.
Buy it at Wayfair

Modern-Design Playhouse

For parents looking for their child’s playhouse to match the style of their own modern home, look no further. This cedar playhouse boasts several windows and an impressive architectural style
Buy it at Cedarworks

Playhouse with Sandbox

When you want a little bit of everything, this playhouse is probably the answer. Porch, slide, sandbox, flower boxes, and made of cedar, this beauty is sure to provide years of enjoyment for your little ones.
Buy it at Wayfair

Eco-Friendly Country Playhouse

When you need to own the cutest thing imaginable outside of a basket of puppies, this might come close. Crafted of cedar, this playhouse comes with a play stove, sink, and cordless phone inside, a dutch door, flower boxes, and bench. Perfect for a summer of making memories.
Buy it at Wayfair

Willow Playhouse

Give your littles an enchanting place to dream. They’ll become a knight or a princess in this playhouse made of willow. Not intended to last the test of time, this playhouse will naturally degrade and become part of the earth at just about the time your child is outgrowing it.
Buy it at Wove on Etsy

Hobbit Hole Playhouse

I can think of no better adventure than to let your kids make a trip to Middle-earth. These sustainable, eco-friendly “hobbit holes” are the perfect place for your children to lose themselves, or find themselves. This unique playhouse is certainly one of a kind.
Buy it at Hobbit Holes on Etsy

Teepee Tent

This simple teepee crafted of natural, eco-friendly materials is a simple way to give your child their own playhouse space, while creating a touch of whimsy and soft, elegant style. A perfect place to read, play, nap, and dream.
Buy it at Tucson Teepee on Etsy

DIY Pallet Play House

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can always build your kids their own playhouse out of pallets. Snag some free plans off of instructables.com.
Buy it at Instructables

Eco-Friendly Playground Turf & Borders

Colorful Upcycled Rubber Turf

Fun, safe, and it reduces landfill waste. This Australian company specializes in recycled rubber turf for all sorts of recreational settings.
Buy it at A1 Rubber

Bonded Rubber Playground Turf

This 100% recycled rubber system can provide a variety of looks, including an almost wood-grain appearance.
Buy it at TotTurf

Recycled Rubber Playground Tiles

Made from 60% recycled rubber material, this playground resurfacing replaces the need for constantly maintaining playground floors with wood chips or mulch. These interlocking tiles don’t just look clean, they’re easy to install, and most importantly, they keep your kids safe when they fall.
Buy it at Amazon

Recycled Rubber Mulch

Recycled rubber mulch is made 100% of recycle tires, is wire free, and non-toxic. Using rubber mulch means less maintenance than wood mulch, and resists allergies and rodent infestation.
Buy it at Amazon

Eco-Friendly Playground Border

This eco-friendly playground border is made of recycled plastic and natural fibers. They’ll never rot, warp, or splinter, and they create an attractive, durable border.
Buy it at Frame It All

Eco-Friendly Outdoor Swings & Accessories

Old-fashioned Tree Swing

There are times when as an adult, you want what’s simple, or what can handle your weight. This swing does exactly that. Made of sustainable cypress out of the southeastern United States, take a trip down memory lane, or just linger on this swing for as long as you can.
Buy it at Amazon

Recycled Horse Tire Swing

Your little cowgirls and cowboys will have a blast on this recycled tire-swing, fashioned into their favorite pony. Hat not included.
Buy it at Amazon

Dreamcatcher Baby Swing

Your little cutie will love swinging in their handcrafted baby swing made of recycled wood, twine, jute, and rope, with an elegantly designed dreamcatcher woven into the back rest.
Buy it at Custom Cat Furniture US on Etsy

Tractor Recycled Tire Swing

Your kids can spend hours imagining themselves driving a big green tractor through the fields. Made of recycled tires and pvc piping, this tire swing is a far cry from the tire swings of the past.
Buy it at Amazon

Tree Swing Straps

Perhaps one of the simplest, fastest ways to create a swing. Bring these swing straps and a seat with you to anyplace with just the right tree. Take up very little room, and make virtually every outdoor space your playground.
Buy it at Amazon

Swing Tie

With a three minute installation, you can almost instantly turn both the indoors and outdoors into a playground. This tie works on beams, trees, and already-installed playground equipment. Just attach to a seat, hammock, or anything that will create a swing! Leaves no mark, requires no drilling, and is 100% portable.
Buy it at Amazon