I’ve walked across a lot of school playgrounds in my time—some muddy, some rock-hard, and a few dangerously slippery after rain. So when our local school upgraded to artificial grass for playground spaces, the difference was night and day.

Suddenly the kids could run around all year without bringing mud into the classroom. There were fewer scrapes from falls, and the playground actually looked like a place designed for kids. If you’re in charge of facilities or a school board member looking at options, here’s what to look for.

Safety First: Impact Absorption Matters

One of the biggest reasons schools opt for artificial turf is safety. Kids fall. They trip, roll, and jump off everything. That’s why modern playground turf is often installed with shock pads underneath—designed to cushion falls and meet international safety standards for critical fall heights.

When our school installed theirs, the shock pad was the non-negotiable part. It made a massive difference during term sports and lunchtime chaos.

Durability for Daily Use

School playgrounds aren’t just used daily—they’re used hard. That means the turf you choose needs to hold up against thousands of footfalls, scooters, and running games.

Look for artificial grass designed for high-traffic areas. Strong fibres, UV resistance, and a tightly woven backing are must-haves if you want your investment to last.

Drainage is Key

After every downpour, the old bark chip playground would turn into a swamp. Now? The turf drains almost instantly, thanks to proper sub-base preparation and built-in drainage layers. No puddles, no mud, no slipping hazards.

If your school deals with wet winters (and let’s face it—most in NZ do), drainage should be top of your checklist.

Low Maintenance = Big Savings

Maintaining natural grass or bark in a school setting is expensive. Turf, on the other hand, needs very little. A quick brush here and there, the occasional rinse, and that’s it. Over time, the savings in labour and upkeep really stack up.

Aesthetics That Stay Consistent

Nothing boosts school pride like a clean, green play area. Turf doesn’t fade, patch, or go brown in summer—and it doesn’t turn into a mud pit by August.