East Street School in MA added Peaceful Playgrounds in August 2017. When East Street staff and students return to school this year they will be welcomed with a new, colorful and fun playground area.
The school is implementing the Peaceful Playgrounds Program which, according to their website is based on the concept that several well-marked, colorfully designed games, such as hopscotch, around the world, four squares, etc. will increase motivation…
Playground, parking lot or both???

I love it when I get questions like the one  below:

Good morning! I work at a local children\'s hospital which does a lot of work with the above school. We are trying to increase their wellness and physical activity options throughout the school day and was interested in Peaceful Playgrounds. The school currently just has an asphalt parking lot that they use for recess. 

They have some balls and equipment bu…
A Peaceful Playground? Sound Impossible? It’s not. With a few proven strategies we’ll show you how to reduce bullying, and reduce playground conflicts, resulting in happy students and a thankful staff.

Thursday August 28th @ 12noon PST : Registration Link http://ow.ly/AHz00

Wednesday 9/3 @ 9am PST Registration Link http://ow.ly/AHz34

Monday 9/8 @ 11am PST Registration Link http://ow.ly/AHz6S

Tuesday 9/16 @ 4pm PST Registration Link http:/…
Monroe Elementary School in Oklahoma City, Ok.   The PTA painted a new Peaceful Playground for students when they return for the fall.  Nice design and beautiful colors add fun and excitement to the first day of school.
I watched a less popular girl, Allison, walk up to a group of four girls who were playing a game of four-square. As she approached and asked, “Can I play?” she was quickly rebuffed. “The game is closed,” Janey, the ring leader, announced.
Given the school is a Peaceful Playgrounds school, I was surprised at the response because of the “You can’t say, ‘You can’t play’” mantra. Allison, whose disappointment was obvious, turned to play anoth…
Elementary School Makeover


When students return to Sheboygan Falls Elementary School for the first day of the 2009-10 school year, a whole new world of fun, fitness and creativity awaits.

Thanks to the initiative, hard work and dedication of many teachers, staff and parents, the SFES playground is in the process of undergoing a major transformation and rejuvenation, as part of the school’s newly incorporated Peaceful Playgrounds program.

The hopsc…
We took these pictures at the paint day in Fallbrook, CA for St. Peters Catholic School. Eagle Scout Garrett planned the project, laid out the playground and provided leadership for painting.

Here are a few pictures of the paint day in action.

Washing down the playground.


Laying out the stencils and filling in the dots.


Tape designs for painting.


Tape designs and add color




Number line painting.
A special thanks to Jacki Lugg who sent these great pictures of summer playground painting. Won't kids be surprised to return to school and see the fun Peaceful Playgrounds games and activities that await them?

Steps to Paint Hopscotch Court using
Peaceful Playgrounds Roll-Out Stencils

Step 1- Roll out stencil for hopscotch and chalk in the dots to form court outline template.



Step 2- Lift stencil and fill in the dots of the outline of the c…
A frequent question that we answer here at Peaceful Playgrounds is : "How much space do I need to take advantage of the Peaceful Playgrounds Program and stencils sets?" We point out that while we offer 4 different blueprints and designs with approximately 100 game choices and no one puts ALL the games and markings on the playground. We recommend that you select a few games from each blueprint so that you have developmentally appropriat…
With the beginning of a new school year just around the corner it is important to consider strategies for creating and maintaining a "peaceful playground." The following list will help staffs to guide peaceful play.

1. Have teachers walk students around the playground on the first day of school.
2. Introduce students to playground rules and procedures (ie. freeze at the bell etc.)
3. Teach safe play on playground structures.
4. Introduce…
The architect of a $2 Million park renovation at Morningside Park in NYC meet with some unusual challenges. Design a park where all the equipment is bulletproof — which explains why New York playground slides are made of stainless steel, rather than plastic, as is usually the case elsewhere.

Playground designers, according to NYC Architect Alexander Hart, must also make sure to avoid creating what Mr. Hart terms “sleepable surfaces” — places l…
Check out Mc Kinley Elementary School's ( York City School District) short video of students and teachers adding 30 games and activities by painting their playground.

Students returning to Pine-River Backus Elementary school this fall with have a nice surprise waiting for them. A recently painted Peaceful Playground.

PR-B's Family and Youth Services Coordinator, Denise Koring rounded up a group of volunteers last week to paint the new designs on the playground promising that the playground will promote both "peace and productive games and activities."

Click for more on Pine-River Backus's Pe…