Adventure play, built to last.
We create bespoke natural playgrounds and play structures that children want to explore again and again. Designed around how children actually play and built for schools, councils, nurseries, adventure playgrounds and communities.
Bespoke design • Natural materials • Built for real play
Long-Term Timber Durability
Timber and fixings selected to stand years of outdoor play.
Bespoke, Never Catalogue
Every project starts with the children, site and brief.
Natural, Durable Materials
Materials selected for demanding outdoor play.
Designed Around 16 Types of Play
More ways for children to move, imagine, explore and interact.
Who we are
We build the playgrounds children never want to leave.
From climbing towers and rope structures to mud kitchens, sensory environments and natural play trails, every Got Children First project begins with a simple question:
How will children actually play here?
We then combine thoughtful play design, skilled craftsmanship and durable natural materials to create environments that encourage children to climb, imagine, experiment, cooperate, take appropriate risks and discover what they are capable of.
Who we work with
Play spaces designed for your setting
Every setting has different priorities. Choose yours to see how we approach it, and the projects we've built for organisations like you.
Councils & Public Spaces
Durable, inclusive play environments designed for intensive public use.
Explore this service →
Schools
Play structures that support movement, challenge, imagination and learning.
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Nurseries
Natural, sensory-rich environments designed around younger children's development.
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Adventure Playgrounds
Bespoke structures that encourage risk, exploration, creativity and independent play.
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Residential
Unique garden play structures designed around the child, family and available space.
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Projects
Built for real children. In real places.
Community Adventure Play Area
London · Public Play Space
A robust rope and timber adventure structure for a well-used public site, with high-level crossings and multiple climbing routes for older children.
Rope crossings • Multi-level platforms • Nets
View project →
Ashmead Primary School
New Cross, London · Primary School
A raised timber walkway and treehouse structure that turned an underused corner of the school playground into the busiest part of the site at breaktime.
Treehouse • Walkway • Climbing access
View project →
Treehouse & Rope Adventure
London · Adventure Playground
Timber towers, rope crossings, climbing nets and imaginative play spaces built for an open-access adventure playground where children choose their own level of challenge.
Timber tower • Cargo nets • High-level walkway
View project →
Kintore Way Nursery Water Wall
Southwark, London · Nursery
A hand-built water wall with channels, pumps and vessels for pouring, damming and experimenting, designed for two- to five-year-olds in a nursery garden.
Water wall • Channels • Sand and digging area
View project →
How we design
Designed around how children really play.
Great play spaces do more than entertain. Got Children First uses the 16 Types of Play as a design framework, helping create environments that encourage a richer range of experiences, from physical challenge and imaginative worlds to creativity, discovery, communication and social interaction.
Locomotor Play
Climbing, balancing, crossing, jumping and finding different routes through a space.
Imaginative Play
A small timber structure might become a house, shop, den, ship, hideout or something adults haven't thought of.
Social Play
Talking, negotiating, cooperating, creating rules and simply spending time together.
Creative Play
Mixing, shaping, building, combining and expressing ideas using materials.
Mastery Play
Children experiment with how materials behave, how water flows and what happens when they change their surroundings.
Symbolic Play
A log becomes a vehicle. A stick becomes a tool. A tunnel becomes a secret entrance.
What we build
Play, in every material that matters.
Rope & Timber Structures
Multi-level towers, bridges, cargo nets, climbing structures and platforms designed for exploration and challenge.
Natural Play Trails
Balance logs, stepping elements, tunnels and obstacles that transform outdoor spaces into journeys of discovery.
Water & Sand Play
Pumps, channels, digging areas and sensory installations that encourage experimentation and open-ended play.
Bespoke Play Structures
Original structures designed specifically for the site, brief and children who will use them.
Why Got Children First
Children first. Every time.
Play is a child's work
We design around how children explore, imagine, move, cooperate and challenge themselves, rather than simply choosing equipment from a catalogue.
Built by craftspeople
Play structures should feel made, not manufactured. Skilled workmanship sits at the heart of every project.
Made for years of play
We select materials and construction methods appropriate for demanding outdoor environments and intensive use.
More ways to play
Our designs consider different abilities, interests and styles of play, creating more opportunities for more children to participate.
How a project works
From first idea to first climb.
- 01
Talk
Tell us about the site, children, budget and what you want the space to achieve.
- 02
Explore
We visit the site, understand the environment and identify the opportunities.
- 03
Design
We develop a bespoke concept based around the children, setting and intended play experiences.
- 04
Build
Our team brings the design to life using carefully selected materials and skilled construction.
- 05
Play
The completed structure is inspected, handed over and ready for children to make it their own.
- [20]+
- Years' experience
- [120]+
- Playgrounds delivered
- 16
- Types of Play considered
- [20] Years
- Selected timber guarantee
[Figures shown in brackets are placeholders until confirmed.]
From the Blog
Ideas for better play.
Play & Development
The 16 Types of Play: A Guide to Designing Better Play Spaces
How the Bob Hughes play framework helps designers create richer, more open-ended play spaces.
11 September 2026 · 4 min read
Playground Design
How to Design a Playground: From First Brief to Finished Play Space
A practical route through briefing, consultation, concept design, specification, installation and handover.
11 September 2026 · 4 min read
Schools & Early Years
School Playground Design: A Complete Guide for Primary Schools
Practical guidance for headteachers, business managers and governors planning a primary school playground.
11 September 2026 · 4 min read
Let's build somewhere children can't wait to explore.
Tell us about your space, the children who use it and what you'd like to achieve. We'll help you explore what's possible.