Playground Equipment: Playtime for Different Aged Siblings

Create positive playtime for children of various age groups - whether you are at home, outdoors on playground equipment, an older and younger child can have fun together.

Finding things to do at playtime can be challenging enough with one child. Whether it's on the local park's playground equipment or in your own backyard, the playtime challenge is doubled if there's a sibling age difference. Learning how to entertain children of different age groups at the same time and prevent the usual squabbles is paramount.

Many disagreements which stem from a sibling age gap are caused by a younger child disrupting the older child's games or time on the playground equipment built for older kids. A little forward planning can help you decide whether it's appropriate for all to play together, and will save you the headache of constantly sorting out arguments.

Play Areas for an Older and Younger Child - Avoid disagreements during a play session by thinking beforehand about where each activity should be sited. Toys with small or fragile parts which are suitable for an older child could be set up in the playpen where the younger one would normally play. This gives the older child her own secured area and the peace to play without the younger one trying to join in. It also allows the younger child to have the run of the rest of the room.

One-To-One Time with Siblings - If an older child has separate one-to-one time with you when the younger is having a nap, they're more likely to join in positively when you're all together. Make a big thing out of how grown up the older one is playing while the younger sleeps, and concentrate on activities which are specifically for the older child while you have the chance. This can also work in the evening, when the younger child has been settled in bed. A Friend for the Older Child - Allowing the older child to have a friend over to play usually means they'll be entertained without much input from you, allowing you to spend separate time with the younger sibling. Play dates supervised by other adults also allows time alone with one child. It's also a chance for siblings to have some needed time away from each other.

Outdoor Playtime - These are always a challenge because of the need to keep an eye on everyone and playground equipment is age specific. Let the oldest child play first while the younger is content to sit with a book or snack. The oldest will then be more content to play alongside a sibling when they've run off her initial energy. In the garden or a park, set out the younger child's activities in a place that allows you to see the whole area. Then you can allow the older child to go off and play on the playground equipment but still be able to keep an eye on him.