Projects:

Playground Markings

The 'Playground Markings' is an initiative by the Health Promotion Services, HSE West, working in conjunction with Galway City Council, Galway Community Forum and Galway City Sports Partnership. Playground stencils, which are available to schools on loan, are used to paint traditional playground games onto the school playground. These games include Hopscotch, A Maze, the Snail Game and an Activity Circuit.

The rationale behind the initiative is that physical activity is central to a person's physical, psychological, emotional and social health. It should be seen as part of every child's daily lifestyle. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage children to take part in active games that can help them develop good habits which will prove invaluable throughout their lives. This is very important in light of the increasing rates of physical inactivity and obesity in Irish children.

The playground games are aimed at both group and individual participation. The activities are ideal for games and for informal play which research shows will (a) encourage play (b) prevent accidents and bullying and (c) provide children with structured games.

It is suggested that help can be sought from a number of areas for the school to lay out the markings.  These include art teacher, senior primary school student, care-taker, secondary transition year students or local community groups. 

Important things to note:

The children should select which game they would like to put in their play area (age related games)

The playground games should not be placed on areas already used for soccer, basketball, tennis etc. as this will lead to confusion.

View our Stencil Information Pack... click here!

For further information contact:

To access the playground marking stencil pack, please contact the relevant people in your area

Galway City:                 Paul Gillen, Health Promotion Officer (091) 548323 Paul.Gillen@hse.ie 
Co. Galway:                 Mick Curley, Galway Sports Partnership (091) 476509 sports@galwaycoco.ie
Co. Mayo:                    Charlie Lambert, Mayo Sports Partnership (094) 904 7025 msp@mayococo.ie
Co. Roscommon:      Noel Feely, Roscommon Sports Partnership (090) 6630853 info@rosactive.org

Children from Scoil Bhride using the stencils to mark out playground games with paint