About Design Help Get Started Playground Planning Safety Frequently Asked Questions
Playgrounds conceived and designed for kids.
The 4 Kids was born out of a desire to create high quality, one-of-a-kind park shelters and play environments that effectively appeal to children's natural curiosity and imagination.
Although we're the new kids on the block, we are anything but inexperienced! As a subsidiary of The Stromberg Group, we share the same talented artisans that have more than 35 years of experience in themed art, architecture, and site amenities for schools, churches and parks. Our craftsmen have thousands of successful projects under their belts for clients such as:
We have taken the same passion, creativity and attention to detail that continues to set us apart from the competition, into the world of park shelters and play environments. Whether you are a park director, landscape architect, business owner, parent-teacher organization or church ministry, The 4 Kids will help make your dream of an exciting and safe outdoor park or play area a reality.
The 4 Kids' commitment is to create innovative, uniquely designed playground equipment, park shelters and site amenities that will maximize safety, quality, aesthetics and play value.
Add unique characteristics to your park or play area with designs made just for you.
The best play environments and park shelters are not found on websites or in catalogs. They are a combined effort between a Custom Playground Specialist, imaginative playground designers and a client who sees their playground as a valued space and a creative, playful extension of their facility. Our team of experienced artists, sculptors, and engineers will help capture the unique personality and vision of your project, transforming your ideas into a tangible play-scape, or park structure.
Ordering from The 4 Kids is easy and hassle free! We want your experience with us to be a gratifying one, and pledge to walk you through each step of the process with personalized attention that best suits your needs. Your initial consultation and quote is provided at NO CHARGE to you, and we are here to help with free design assistance, specifications and CAD details. What else do you need? Renders? Scale models? We can handle it! Place your project in our hands with confidence. Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Our experienced team of design professionals works with many organizations to assist them in the conception and design of exceptional and comprehensive park structures and outdoor play environments. Some of these organizations are school districts, government and military agencies, resorts, hotels and casinos, as well as parks, recreational facilities, churches and child care centers.
Acquiring stimulating, creative play equipment and unique park structures can be quite a challenge and you may find yourself asking, "Where should I begin?"
The 4 Kids has the solution! You will not find unimaginative, cookie-cutter playscapes and park structures here. Instead, our expert design team will craft enticing and thrilling outdoor environments created to delight your patrons again and again.
Have an idea in mind? Envision it, work with our experts to design it, then sit back and watch us create it! It's that simple.
The 4 Kids offers full customization. You can have what you want, the way that you want it, when you need it. It's all about choices; YOUR choices! Choose your design. What do you want it to look like? What shape would you like it to be? Choose the size that best fits your space. Choose your favorite texture. Will your project have the look of stone, stucco, fossil rock, wood, or do you have a different texture in mind? Do you need the color to match existing structures? You can choose your colors and we can help! Our experienced artisans will work with you through the use of conceptual drawings, renders, and even scale models; whatever it takes to bring your vision to life.
Our CAD details, specifications and mockups are just a few of the ways our consultants can assist you. We work with you to stay within your budget. Our initial consultation and quote is free, so why not call us, and see what The 4 Kids can do for you?
Are you a member of a playground planning committee? Pretty overwhelming, isn’t it? The task of creating a playground for your school, church, park or even a family resort is often confusing and rarely simple. Your first hurdle might be the initial design. The consensus is that your playground should provide maximum fun and enjoyment for children of all ages, and adults who want to join in, without sacrificing safety and maintenance concerns. We are spot on in those departments. Cost effective, low maintenance and high quality designs come into play. You'll be relieved to learn that The 4 Kids experts are here to help turn your playground ideas into reality, like the wildly popular Woodlands and The Bungalow Tree House.
Our playgrounds provide children with a physical and educational play experience like no other, by catering to their natural curiosity. Enjoy providing the perfect playscape that conforms to all of your needs with our themed play equipment. We can ensure a wonderful play experience for children and adults alike.
Of course, every child wants a playground that is exciting and fun, with plenty of cool equipment to try, but recreation coordinators have much tougher criteria for choosing a plan. Safety looms largest in the considerations of playground committee members everywhere. At The 4 Kids, safety is also top priority for our team of experts, including: artists, designers and engineers whose quality control practices are impeccable.
Custom designed playgrounds are crafted according to client specs. We also offer:
We design for safety; then we inspect and test to make sure that the playgrounds we make meet and exceed all safety standards and regulations. The 4 Kids follow strict safety guidelines set by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) in order to ensure that every person that plays on our products is safe, so they can play to en joy.
What materials are used in the production of The 4 Kids play equipment?
Each unique piece of playground equipment is crafted from high quality glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), or durable, long-lasting GFRP (glass fiber reinforced polymer). Also called Smart Concrete, GFRC is a revolutionary weather resistant material that is well known for its amazing strength, durability, and disaster resistance. Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) is well known for its ability to be seamlessly molded into complex shapes, resistance to salt water, acid rain and harsh chemicals and its high strength and durability in the face of extreme weather conditions such as floods, earthquakes, fires and hurricanes.
What finishes are available for these amazing products?
Our park and playground equipment is offered in two standard textures: sandblasted; for a rougher texture, and matte; for a smooth texture.
What if I need a custom color or texture?
Custom colors are available, and we are able to accurately match an existing color or finish with ease. GFRC and GFRP offer extreme versatility regarding textures, as both materials have the ability to mimic almost any texture; including wood grain, coral stone, fossil stone, and travertine. Offering different textures on the playground are great for sensory play.
Is your playground equipment weather resistant?
Yes, both GFRP and our "smart concrete" (GFRC) stand up to Mother Nature very well, and are formulated to last, and maintain their beauty for many years with little maintenance.
What maintenance is required for my playground equipment?
Your play equipment will need very little maintenance over the years. GFRC is an environmentally friendly material that is comprised of minerals. GFRC is fire resistant, water-proof, and will not rust when exposed to the elements. Smog, acid rain, and harsh chemicals do not damage GFRC, and the pigments are UV stable and weatherproof. No special cleaner is needed, and anti-graffiti coatings are available. GFRP is a remarkable material that pound for pound is stronger than steel, and has been shown to keep laminate properties for more than 30 years. GFRP is unaffected by freeze thaw cycles and its environment and may be used while completely submerged under water.
Does The 4 Kids create custom products?
Yes, much of the work that we do is custom. We have an experienced team of artisans and designers that will guide you through every step of the process, to help you achieve your vision.
What is an accessible playground?
An accessible playground is one in which children of all abilities can play and have fun together.
Are your structures ADA compliant?
The 4 Kids is dedicated to seeing that every child has an opportunity to play outdoors. Our equipment is universally designed and we can provide custom structures that meet more specific needs. Everything is tested and approved before we even consider selling it, so you can be sure that all the products are top quality and up to current standards for playground safety and equipment.
What are use zones?
Use Zones are the areas designated around each piece of equipment in which a child could fall from exiting or landing from an item or structure. Each piece and/or structure has a ‘use zone’ around it which should be free of other items or obstacles.
Where can I find specifications?
Please view our Documents section. We offer specifications and other technical information within this website. If you need anything additionally, please contact us. We are here to help.
What is a safety surface?
Safety surface is the material under and around the play structure. It is an important safety factor used to reduce the impact from falls, should they occur.
Do you offer safety surfacing?
We do not offer surfacing, at this time.
Do I need playground safety surfacing?
Yes. Children love to play, climb and run. Protect them by laying a safety surface under and around your play structure. Concrete, grass, or hard surfacing will not provide a protective barrier between head and floor. Having a soft, durable surface is the best way to ensure your child’s safety is intact by reducing the impact of any fall.
What are the options in safety surfacing?
There are a few options which could be used as a safety surface:
Any material tested to ASTM F1292, including unitary surfaces, engineered wood fiber, Pea Gravel, Sand, Shredded/Recycled rubber mulch, Wood chips, Wood mulch (not CCA-treated). Mats made of safety-tested rubber materials work as well.
How do you ensure safety in your products?
The 4 Kids follow strict safety guidelines set by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturers), and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) in order to ensure that every person that plays on our products is safe, so that they can play to enjoy.
Are standard detail drawings available?
Yes, we are here to assist you with CAD drawings, and other technical information. If you don’t find what you are looking for within our site, please contact our experts for more information.
Can mockups be produced for clients?
Yes, contact our Custom Playground Specialist for more information on mockups for your special project.
Do you have a printed catalog?
While we offer some literature, we don't print a traditional paper catalog. The website fact sheets allow us to stay up to date and help us save a few trees. If you don't see what you are looking for, please contact us.
How do I get product pricing?
Our prices are quoted on a per project basis. Please call, email or fax us for a free initial quote.
How can I order your products?
For ordering, contact one of our playground specialists. Our representatives are always ready to assist you with your projects, and answer any questions that you may have.
I need custom work done, but have heard that it can be expensive. What pricing can I expect to receive?
Because we are the manufacturer, and there is no middle man, we are able to offer fully customized products for about what other companies charge for standard or pre-fabricated structures.
Do you sell and ship internationally?
Yes, we ship products to clients worldwide.
How is The 4 Kids playground equipment shipped?
Normally our products are crated and palletized for shipment. However, some projects are rather large, and may even require specialized vans for transport. Regardless of the need, our experience with such shipments ensures that we will handle your project with care, and package it in the best possible way for shipping.
Is professional installation required?
Please contact us for more information regarding installation.
What is the lead time for projects?
Lead times depend largely on the size and complexity of the job, and on our client's schedule. Normally products ship 14-16 weeks from drawing approvals, but large or complex orders can take longer. To be safe, it is best to order as early as possible. We have completed some rush projects in less than 10 days. Expediting fees and rush delivery charges may apply.