Portable play equipment invites children to get moving. Offering a variety of equipment helps children build different gross motor skills that form the foundation for an active life. Indoor play equipment gives easy options for inclement weather days and helps children meet their individual needs for movement and physical challenge throughout the day.
Application Documentation
In your REACH Physical Activity application, you will upload documentation of meeting the indoor portable play equipment best practice along with offering ample time for physical activity, activities that help children build motor skills, and including physical activity in your written policy.
| REACH Application Documentation | Go NAPSACC Best Practice |
| Up to five photos* from one preschool classroom that show that all five of the following types of gross motor equipment are available and in good condition for children to use indoors: –Twirling Toys (ribbons, scarves, batons, hula hoops, parachute, etc) –Jumping Toys (items to jump on or jump over like jump ropes, jumping balls, hopscotch mat, etc) –Throwing, Catching, or Striking Toys (balls, pom poms, bean bags, noodles, rackets, etc) –Balance Equipment (balance beams, plastic “river stones”, etc) –Crawling or Tumbling Equipment (mats, portable tunnels, etc) *Photos will only be used for review purposes unless the facility gives permission for them to be shared. | PA8 A large variety of portable play equipment is available and in good condition for children to use indoors |
Tips for your documentation:
- To meet this requirement, reviewers must see all of the five types of equipment listed above in your photos.
- Photos must show how the equipment is used indoors. Outdoor equipment does not count for this requirement.
- All photos/equipment should be from one classroom that serves preschool-aged children (between 3-5 years of age).
- Provide no more than five photos or a single video showing all of the equipment types. One photo can show more than one type of equipment.
- A space is available in the application for you describe what is in the photos. You don’t need to provide a description. Use this space if you think any of the photos need explaining so that reviewers can see that you are meeting the best practice.
- Photos must be from the past 12 months.
Example documentation:
In the photo below, we see equipment that would meet three of the five required types of portable play equipment. A description helps the reviewers understand how each of the items is used in the obstacle course to meet the different requirements. In this example the hoops meet the “Jumping Toys” requirement, the mats meet the “Crawling or Tumbling Equipment” requirement and the balance beams meet the “Balance Equipment” requirement. This applicant would need to submit additional photos of their “Twirling” and “Throwing/Catching/Striking” toys to have complete documentation.
The resource below from Be Active Kids shows a variety of developmentally appropriate equipment and how to use it. Check out the whole “Portable Play Equipment for Preschoolers Toddlers and Infants” resource in the Go NAPSACC Tips & Materials library for Infant & Child Physical Activity under the Indoor Play Environment Category.
REACH Recognition 