Planning a new playground or improving an existing outdoor space is a big investment for any school and playground funding is one of the top searches when it comes to looking for help with paying for a new playground. Whether you are looking to replace old equipment, create a completely new play area or introduce more opportunities for children to learn, play and be active outdoors, understanding your budget is often the first step.
There are a number of ways schools and other organisations can look at funding outdoor improvements. This can include school budgets, capital funding, fundraising, grants and funding aimed at physical activity, sport, inclusion and community facilities.
At Everyday Play, we work with schools, nurseries, councils and other organisations across London, Kent and the South East to design and install outdoor play and activity areas. We can help you understand what could be achieved on your site and provide a free site visit and free playground quotation.
How Much Does a School Playground Cost?
There is no standard price for a school playground. Every site is different, and the cost will depend on the size of the area, the equipment you choose, surfacing, ground conditions, access and the overall design.
A smaller budget might be used to introduce new freestanding playground equipment, playground markings, seating, sensory features or individual pieces of play equipment.
A larger project could include a combination of equipment such as play towers, clamber stacks, climbing equipment, slides, swings and activity equipment, alongside new safety surfacing.
For schools with a larger budget, there are also opportunities to create much more varied outdoor environments. These could include outdoor gym equipment, timber gazebos, outdoor classrooms, water play areas, sensory gardens, imaginative play spaces and different zones for sport, learning and free play.
The important thing is that a playground does not have to be one particular type of installation. A well-designed outdoor space can combine different features to create somewhere that children can enjoy throughout the school day.
What Can Schools Spend Their Playground Budget On?
Schools can take a variety of approaches when improving their outdoor spaces.
Some may want to focus on traditional play equipment, such as towers, slides, swings and climbing equipment. Others may want to make better use of their outdoor space for physical activity, outdoor learning or sensory play.
For example, a school could consider a new play tower as the centrepiece of an area, surrounded by freestanding equipment that gives younger children and older pupils different ways to play.
Clamber stacks and climbing equipment can provide opportunities for physical challenge, balance and coordination, whilst outdoor gym equipment can create dedicated areas for exercise and physical activity.
Outdoor classrooms and timber gazebos can provide sheltered spaces for lessons, reading, group activities and outdoor learning. Water play can introduce opportunities for sensory exploration and imaginative play, whilst sensory gardens can create quieter areas that support exploration and wellbeing.
There are also many freestanding playground products that can be introduced without completely redesigning the whole playground. This can make them an option for schools looking to make improvements within a more limited budget.
PE and Sport Premium and Changes for 2026/27
The PE and Sport Premium has been an important source of funding for eligible primary schools in England, helping schools improve PE, sport and physical activity provision.
However, there are significant changes to school sport funding for 2026/27. The Government has announced that the existing PE and Sport Premium is being replaced by a new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, backed by £580 million. The new network is expected to be fully operational from spring 2027.
The 2025/26 PE and Sport Premium is therefore the final year of the existing funding model. Schools should be aware that the familiar calculation of £16,000 plus £10 per eligible pupil for schools with 17 or more eligible pupils relates to 2025/26, rather than being a new 2026/27 allocation.
For schools planning playground improvements, outdoor activity areas or sports facilities, it is important to keep up to date with the new funding arrangements as they develop. The Government has also announced additional investment in school sport and capital funding for facilities and accessibility improvements as part of the changes.
Schools considering using funding towards outdoor play, physical activity or sports facilities should always check the latest Department for Education guidance and the specific conditions attached to any available funding before committing to a project.
London Marathon Foundation Active Spaces Fund
For schools and organisations in London, the London Marathon Foundation Active Spaces Fund is another funding opportunity that may be worth investigating.
The fund supports projects in London that improve spaces and facilities and encourage children, young people and underserved communities to become more physically active.
The fund can support capital projects and major equipment that is integral to a project, including fixed playground and gym equipment. Funding is typically between £10,000 and £80,000.
This makes the fund potentially relevant to a wide range of outdoor projects, including playground improvements, outdoor gym facilities and other spaces designed to encourage physical activity.
The Foundation has previously supported projects involving new playgrounds and improvements to outdoor spaces.
Schools should be aware that the Active Spaces Fund has specific requirements around community use. The Foundation states that school projects must provide wider community access outside school hours and cannot be intended solely for pupils, families or staff.
The fund is available for eligible projects within London’s 32 boroughs and the City of London. Organisations considering an application should check the latest eligibility criteria and application information directly with the London Marathon Foundation.
Other Ways to Fund a School Playground
Grants are not the only option available to schools.
Many playground projects are funded through a combination of different sources. A school may have money available within its own budget, whilst a PTA or Friends of the School group may be able to contribute through fundraising.
Academies may also have access to funding through their Multi-Academy Trust, particularly where outdoor facilities form part of a wider estates or improvement programme.
Local councils, charitable organisations and community funding bodies can also offer funding opportunities from time to time. These vary considerably depending on where the school is located and what the proposed project is intended to achieve.
For this reason, it is worth looking at the project as a whole rather than focusing on one particular grant.
For example, a school might want to create a new outdoor area incorporating a play tower, climbing equipment, sensory planting, an outdoor classroom and seating. Different elements of the project may be suitable for different funding or fundraising approaches, depending on the individual circumstances.
Creating an Outdoor Space Around Your Budget
One of the best ways to approach a playground project is to start with what you want the space to achieve.
Perhaps you want to encourage more active play. You might want to introduce more challenging climbing equipment or a large play tower.
Perhaps your priority is outdoor learning, in which case an outdoor classroom or timber gazebo could provide a useful addition to the school grounds.
You may want to create a more inclusive environment with sensory equipment, accessible play features and quieter areas.
Or perhaps you want to introduce outdoor gym equipment so that pupils have more opportunities to be physically active, whilst also providing a facility that could potentially be used by the wider community.
Once the priorities are established, the available budget can then help shape the design.
Can You Complete a Playground in Stages?
If the budget is not available for everything at once, a playground can potentially be developed in stages.
A school might begin with the main play equipment and surfacing before adding further freestanding equipment at a later date. Other phases could introduce an outdoor classroom, timber gazebo, sensory garden, water play or outdoor gym equipment.
Planning the whole area from the beginning can be useful even when the installation is going to take place over several years. It means that future improvements can be considered as part of the overall design rather than being added without a clear plan.
Planning a New Playground in London, Kent or the South East?
If you are considering a new playground or outdoor activity area, getting an idea of the costs early can help when discussing the project with your headteacher, governors, PTA, trustees, council or potential funders.
At Everyday Play, our team can visit your school or site, discuss what you would like to achieve and look at the space available.
We design and install a wide range of outdoor facilities, from individual freestanding playground equipment and smaller improvements through to complete playground developments.
Our projects can include:
- Play towers and slides
- Climber stacks and climbing equipment
- Swings
- Freestanding playground equipment
- Outdoor gym equipment
- Timber gazebos
- Outdoor classrooms
- Sensory gardens
- Inclusive play equipment
- Playground markings
- Safety surfacing
We can work with you to explore what could be achieved within your available budget and provide a clear quotation for the proposed work.
Free Playground Site Visit and Quotation
Thinking about improving your school playground?
Give the Everyday Play team a call or email us to book your free site visit and free playground quotation.
We can visit your site, discuss your ideas and help you explore the possibilities for your outdoor space.
Whether you are looking for a new play tower, outdoor gym, outdoor classroom, sensory garden, water play area or a complete playground transformation, our team can help you take the first step.
Get in touch by calling us on 01622 688343 or drop us an email on info@everyday-play.co.uk
Funding opportunities, eligibility criteria and available grant amounts can change. The information in this article is provided for general guidance and schools and organisations should check the latest information directly with the relevant funding provider before making funding decisions or applications.
