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At Sunshine Gym we love the Daily Mile, it’s a brilliant, simple way to get pupils moving. But schools tell us they want more: equipment that builds strength, balance, coordination and social play, and that works all year round. That’s why our children’s range of outdoor gym stations was designed specifically for primary schools (KS1 & KS2) to turn active minutes into meaningful movement and make fitness a natural part of the school day.
Move beyond running: Why variety matters
Running is excellent for cardiovascular fitness, but children develop most effectively when they practise many movement skills. Our children’s stations combine cardio, balance, upper-body and core development in playful ways so teachers can design short circuits that target different physical outcomes. Multi-station units encourage cooperative play and let more pupils exercise at once, boosting participation, confidence and communication in one go.
Designed for children
Everything in our children’s outdoor gym equipment range is sized for pupils under 140cm, with lower step heights and safer grips. We use zinc-plated tubular steel and durable finishes suitable for school yards, and every product includes clear instructional signage, so children (and supervising staff) know how to use each station safely. Many of our multi-gyms include wheelchair-accessible elements, such as arm bikes and Tai Chi discs, so lessons and playtimes can be genuinely inclusive.
Favourite stations teachers tell us they love
Here are some popular stations from our children’s range and the skills they develop:
- Double Health Walker / Sky Stepper: Great for low-impact cardio, timing and leg strength; perfect to slot into a five-minute warm-up.
- Slalom Skiers: Promote balance, coordination and lateral movement while feeling like play rather than exercise.
- Arm Bike: Builds upper-body strength and is excellent for wheelchair users to participate in cardiorespiratory activity.
- Double Waist Twister / Tai Chi Discs: Develop core control and rotational stability in a gentle, game-friendly way.
- Horse Rider / Sky Stepper combo: Imaginative play with functional benefits including hip stability, rhythmic stepping and posture.
These stations can be installed individually or combined into multi-gyms (like our popular Activ8 and Integr8) which let up to eight children exercise together, ideal for class rotations or shared breaktime activity. Multi-units save space while offering a wide variety of movement options.
Practical ways schools use Sunshine Gym equipment
Schools find the equipment versatile and easy to integrate:
- Circuit stations: set up 6–8 stations and run short, rotating circuits during PE lessons to cover fitness, balance and coordination in one lesson.
- Daily movement menus: offer a choice of three stations each day for KS1/KS2, letting children pick activities and build autonomy.
- Lunchtime clubs: multi-station units support supervised clubs that promote social skills as well as fitness.
- Targeted interventions: use balance and core stations for children needing extra motor skills support, our signage makes it easy to run short, focused exercises.
Teachers report higher engagement when exercise feels like play; our children’s designs emphasise fun movements, so pupils return to class calmer and more ready to learn.
Maintenance, longevity and value for schools
We know school budgets are tight. That’s why the children’s range is built to last with corrosion-resistant materials and powder coating and is designed for low maintenance. We provide clear documentation on ground fixing, inspection routines and signage so your site team can keep equipment safe and serviceable for years.
Many schools find outdoor gym equipment a cost-effective investment, it supports PE, health and wellbeing initiatives, and complements government sports funding objectives for primary settings.
Planning your install: space, supervision and curriculum links
When planning a site, consider circulation space so pupils can move safely between stations, and surface choices for impact protection. Our team can help match equipment packages to your playground footprint and pupil age-range, from single-station additions to complete multi-unit solutions tailored for KS1 or KS2.
Curriculum-wise, stations map easily to learning objectives: fundamental movement skills, agility, balance and coordination, and healthy living topics.
Tips to maximise equipment usage
- Create short, timetabled station sessions for every class each week.
- Use simple scoring or challenge cards to motivate pupils and track progress.
- Train lunchtime supervisors in basic rotations so breaktime becomes active playtime.
- Link station skills to PE assessment criteria to show curriculum impact.
Ready to get started?
If your school is looking to move beyond the Daily Mile and add equipment that’s safe, inclusive and designed specifically for children, our KS1 & KS2 range offers flexible packages and school-focused support.
Contact Sunshine Gym for tailored advice on selecting stations, space planning and funding-friendly options, we’ll help you create an outdoor gym that keeps children moving, learning and smiling.