There are so many games that children play on the school playground or at the Neighborhood park, many of which have been played for generations and some that are new for this generation of youngsters. Kids love playing, whether it’s at recess, afterschool, on the weekend or all summer long. There are games kids play on the playground equipment, whether it’s making believe they’re in a castle or mountain climbing. Kids have such active imaginations, though, that they can play games even when there’s nothing but asphalt blacktop or a sidewalk to play on. Games help kids stay in shape, develop their creative abilities and build social skills—what could be better?

 Top Kids Games in the United States

It would be impossible to list all the different games that kids play on the school or park playground, especially when you consider all the children’s games from around the world. The following list, however, includes many of the most popular games that children currently play in the United States:

○  Dodge Ball                                                ○  Four Square ( King & Regular)

○  Double Dutch                                            ○  Hopscotch- from all over the world and US Maps

○  Red Light, Green Light                              ○  Counting objects

○  Hopscotch                                                 ○  Tyke Race Tracks

○  I Spy                                                         ○  Number Square

○  Jump Rope                                               ○  Drop Ball

○  Kick Ball                                                    ○  Wiffleball

○  Tag                                                           ○  Alphabet Serpant or Eel

○  Red Rover                                                 ○  Mother, May I

○  Red Light, Green Light

 The Benefits of Kids Games

With the obesity problem in America, active games that utilize playground equipment, jump ropes and/or body movement are particularly important for kids to play. Following the increasing number of obese children it is very important to give them things they can enjoy and not consider to be just excersize but fun. Having playground and schoolyard games help kids burn off calories and move their bodies around, which is so necessary after spending most of their day sitting in a class room. When kids are inactive during their recesses at school and spend their free time at home playing video games and watching TV instead of going outside, they are developing behaviors that could hold them back for the rest of their lives. Games that rely on children’s brains and encourage teamwork are equally beneficial because they help to strengthen mental and social skills that will come in handy as they enter middle school, high school, college and the job market. Playground games also help children be more social and their interactions with other kids their age is as equally important as stimulation, problem solving and physical exersize.

The games that kids play on the school and park playground offer many benefits, whether they’re creative games that use the child’s imagination or active games that work out the child’s body. Children should be encouraged to play these games as much as possible.

These are some examples of schoolyard and playground games. At New England Sealcoating we offer many kinds of play graphic options and are more than happy to help you come up with something new for your school yard. Contact us today for a FREE estimate on how to freshen up your boring blacktop in your schoolyard.

Sited: http://www.miracle-recreation.com/the-most-popular-school-playground-games/

What are the dimensions of a tennis court?
The playing area of a tennis court measures 60’ x 120’ which is the sanctioned size of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The total site size required for installing a tennis court varies, but generally a minimum of 70’ x 130’ is preferable but, the actual playing area is 36’ x 78’.

What are the most popular tennis court surfaces?
The two most popular choices are all-weather hard courts and Har-Tru® courts. Har-Tru is the clay court of choice on the east coast, although natural red clay courts are still being played on at many clubs. Hard courts consist of an asphalt base with acrylic coating system that serves as the playing surface. These courts are durable and easy to maintain, making them a popular choice for private residences, apartments and condominiums, schools and municipalities. Hard court surfaces may also be used for other purposes such as basketball and in-line hockey. A cushioned acrylic coating system is available, which is easier on the body and plays slower than a typical hard court. See below for details about Har-Tru courts.

What is Har-Tru?
Har-Tru (above ground irrigation) or Hydrocourts (Har-Tru courts with sub-surface irrigation), consist of a 3/4” modified stone base with a layer of stone dust followed by a 1″ final surface layer of crushed green stone called Har-Tru. Har-Tru has several different blends which are used based on the type of irrigation system (Har-Tru with Binder, Contractor Blend, American Red, Hydroblend and Colorado Blend). Har-Tru is the leading name brand on the market and exclusively used by Sport Builders. The green surface color of Ha-Tru is produced from a natural green stone found in Virginia called Pre-cambrian Metabasalt.

Natural red clay courts, typically found in Europe and South America, have a playing surface of ground brick dust with a natural clay base. Sport Builders uses Har-Tru American Red Clay and Beam Clay for natural red clay courts. A European Red Clay Blend is also now available.

Har-Tru courts have steadily gained in popularity due to their superb playing characteristics and joint health benefits. These courts provide a more flexible, shock-absorbing surface, which eases stress on the feet, knees, back and legs during play. The softer surface also slows the play speed, resulting in longer rallies, more varied strokes and a more controlled game. It’s also a great surface for learning to play tennis. These courts require daily maintenance to sustain consistent playing conditions. In northern climates these courts generally require annual reconditioning in the spring months to make the court playable again in the summer. Nonetheless, the advantages they offer have increasingly made them the tennis court of choice for country clubs, tennis clubs, and private residences.

What kind of maintenance does a tennis court require?
The type and frequency of tennis court maintenance depends upon the court’s surface. Hard courts typically require annual cleaning and attention to surface problems such as cracking. Many customers also choose to color coat their hard courts every couple of years to keep them looking fresh and to maintain play speed. Complete resurfacing is required approximately every five to seven years depending on damage and overall use.

Har-Tru or clay courts require daily maintenance to maintain optimum playability. This includes daily brushing, rolling, and watering (using an above-ground or underground sub-surface irrigation system). During dry conditions, the application of calcium or magnesium chloride may be required to sustain moisture. Annual reconditioning or resurfacing is also required to establish playability. Typically Har-Tru or clay courts are reconditioned every spring in the Northeast prior to the outdoor playing season.

What is involved in installing a new tennis court?
The first step to constructing a new tennis court is a meeting to discuss court location, size, orientation, surface, budget, fence design and amenities such as lighting and hitting walls. After approval of the proposal and pulling a construction permit, the construction process will begin with clearing and excavating the court site. The next phase involves construction of a drainage system, laying down the court base, installing fencing and lighting, and construction of the court’s surface (asphalt or clay). The final step includes finishing the playing surface and installing the playing lines, net and any court accessories. Total construction time for a single court is approximately six weeks, weather permitting.

How much does it cost to build a tennis court?
The cost of building a tennis court varies depending on the site conditions, surface selection and extra amenities (i.e. lighting, hitting walls, basketball systems, etc.) An average installation for a single court begins around $50,000. Contact us for a Free Estimate today!

Can tennis court cracks in hard courts be repaired?
Absolutely! It’s not simple, but cracks in tennis courts can be corrected with various procedures. There are long-term and short-term repair options to consider. The condition of your courts and the amount of money budgeted for the repairs will factor into how long the repairs will last.

What is the difference between resurfacing and reconditioning?
Resurfacing is the process of restoring the surface of worn and/or cracked hard courts. This is achieved through a four-step process that includes surface preparation (cleaning); court repairs (addressing uneven areas, cracks and delamination); applying an acrylic coating system and playing lines; and finally, painting net posts, servicing the net crank and reinstalling the net and center strap.

Reconditioning is the annual process to prepare the surface of a Har-Tru or clay court. This process includes compacting the court’s base, cleaning the playing surface, applying two tons of new surface material and installing the playing lines. After line installation, the courts are continually rolled and brushed to attain playability.

WORK CITED: www.Sportbuilders.com FAQ’S