How Do Bright Colors in Mulch Encourage Active Play?

Think back to your favorite childhood playground. Was it filled with colorful structures and play areas? Was it muted, or built with natural, neutral colored materials? What kind of emotions did you feel when you arrived? Although you may not have been aware of it as a child, the design of a playground is intended to inspire play in children. Let's explore how color plays a part in encouraging activity and movement, and how rubber mulch can help support this mission.

The Power of Color

Color can be a very powerful tool in influencing people's perceptions and behaviors. Scientists show that specific colors naturally evoke certain characteristics and influence how we interact with the world around us. Because of this phenomenon, color is often factored into the design of products, including playgrounds. Here is a quick guide on the colors and what they can mean to children:

• Red - excitement, high energy movement, inspiring, confidence

• Orange - warmth, optimism, encouragement, friendliness, 

• Yellow - happiness, creativity, curiosity, imagination 

• Green - Nature, balance, growth, calm

• Blue - calm, focused, trustful, slowness

• Purple - inspiration, creativity, magical, fantasy

When combining colors, you can help elevate the playground experience. Color groupings can take on new meanings and help elevate the message. For example, mulch with cooler colors may have a more calming effect on a playground, while warmer-colored mulch might spark more active play.

Why Children are Attracted to Color

When you go to a store, you’ll notice there is an explosion of color in the toy section. This is because bright, bold colors signal fun and enjoyment to children. Color plays a significant role for children because it speaks their language. Before children can talk, they learn through their senses and moods. That's why playgrounds with colorful structures and vibrant mulch don't just decorate the area; they help activate it.

From Curb Appeal to Kid Appeal: How Playground Mulch Plays A Part

As discussed, kids are naturally drawn to colorful things. But adults are not immune to the persuasion of color either. Colorful playgrounds are attractive to both adults and kids alike. Bright hues can catch the eye of families walking or driving nearby, which could spark a curiosity to visit. It can serve as a landmark for children learning to navigate their neighborhood. Communities often take pride in these vibrant, inviting spaces, sparking a desire to keep the playground well-maintained, which helps foster a stronger sense of community.

Boosting Energy and Movement With Playground Rubber

Most playgrounds already have some form of mulch, but it's typically made from wood. But this does absolutely nothing to boost the energy, attractiveness, or safety of the playground. When donned with rubber mulch, the playground is elevated in several ways.

Building on color theory, using colorful playground rubber can help stimulate physical activity. Using a blend of red and orange mulch can indicate that these areas of the playground are intended for active, energetic play. The colorful mulch can encourage kids to stay outside and play longer. While it may be harder to convince them to leave, this approach benefits them by engaging their bodies, minds, and social skills, all while enjoying nature and being away from screens.

How to Promote Safety with Playground Mulch

Colorful rubber mulch offers several safety benefits that should be considered. Mulch made from rubber is generally safer than traditional alternatives. Rainbow Mulch mulch provides a literal cushion of safety around your kids due to its shock-absorbing technology. Rubber mulch is known to reduce injury rates up to 50% compared to other mulch methods. With less fear around falling, children may feel more inclined to branch out and try new things!

Additionally, colored mulch offers safety benefits beyond its cushioning properties. Bright mulch makes surfaces easier to see. Edges, boundaries, and obstacles are more vibrant when using colorful mulch, which reduces the risk of accidents and improves functionality for visually impaired children. The color of Rainbow Mulch also lasts significantly longer than the conventional mulch options. Wood mulch tends to fade in color quickly, but rubber mulch doesn't. Our durable, colored mulch will hold its pigment for much longer, keeping playgrounds visible and safe year-round.

Creating Play Zones With Playground Chips

Using colorful playground chips is not only useful for safety purposes, but it can also help define the intended use of each area of the playground. Visual zoning is the idea that mulch can help shape the activities of the playground. For example, the high-energy areas of a playground might want to incorporate red mulch, while the more imaginative areas might want to add in yellow mulch. Colorful mulch will help guide kids intuitively from one activity to another.

The Lasting Effects of Rubber Mulch

Mulch made from rubber is a better alternative to conventional mulch in almost every way. This mulch is an incredibly durable material that can handle four seasons of weather and the energy and force of a child. The safety benefits and color retention of Rainbow Mulch outlast the performance of regular mulch. Rubber mulch doesn't attract bugs like other mulch alternatives, making it incredibly low-maintenance with a long lifespan that can reach several years without needing replacement. While wood mulch has its place and time, there's no doubt that the benefits of Rainbow Mulch are next level.

Why Rubber Mulch is the Perfect Colorful Choice

Brightly colored rubber mulch does more than just enhance the look of a playground; it encourages active play, sparks creativity, improves safety, and lasts for years with minimal maintenance. By using vibrant, durable mulch, communities, schools, and daycares can create spaces where children are drawn to explore, move, and imagine every day. 

Contact Rainbow Mulch today to invest in colored rubber mulch and transform your playground into a safe, engaging, and inspiring environment that kids will love for years to come!