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Looking for A Way to Reconnect After Training
posted by Dmarshall08  on Dec 1 2008
Are you looking for ways to continue moving your project along after attending a webinars or WE Play! and starting the planning process? We invite you to join your fellow community builders in registering your project on....

Winter webinars announced!
posted by alynsen  on Dec 2 2008
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glisteningWe want to learn more,What's KaBOOM! got in store?Check out all their winter webinars! Gone away is ou....

30% off playground equipment
posted by jackthecat  on Dec 2 2008
I have zero idea how I got on this list, but I received an email from a playground equipment vendor offering 30% on equipment for the holidays. Here is their pitch: Season's Greetings, Planet Safety is offering holiday discounts and incentive....

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 Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
 
imgOfflineCarrie
9 posts
Joined
1/25/2007

Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 17 Jun 07 11:58 PM
Our vendor has suggested adding saddle spinners to our project. They are saddle shaped seat mounted on a shaft, with a direct bury installation allowing the child to sit and spin and rock.

Does anyone have any experience/opintion on this type of product
imgOfflineltoscano
408 posts
www.kaboom.org
1st
Joined
11/8/2006



Re: Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 20 Jun 07 11:32 AM

Yay, saddle spinners are my favorite piece of playground equipment!  We have one here in the office at KaBOOM! and I play on it almost every day.  It's a scoop-shaped seat that's free to spin in circles on its post.  This post is on a slant, so that as you simply lean over, your potential energy (gravity) is converted to kinetic energy (spin).  This also makes you spin faster and faster just by holding still, as long as you're leaning off beyond your vertical axis. 

Kids know how much fun spinning is!  Even without playground equipment, kids will spin in circles until they collapse in laughter (and dizziness).  When I was little, I used to call the foyer in our house "Spin-Around Land."  I think that this particular company that makes the Saddle Spinner is really in touch with how much fun and learning a child can gain from rotational motion.  I highly recommend it! 

imgOfflinenrosenthal
139 posts
2nd
Joined
11/8/2006



Re: Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 05 Jul 07 2:38 PM
I agree with Laura, and feel that the saddle spinner is a FANTASTIC alternative to the old fashioned merry-go-round.  I know that Landscape Structures also has an even more exciting spinner called the Orbiter Spinner. You can find information about it here: http://www.playlsi.com/Products/Independents/KidsInMotion/Orbiter/
imgOfflineflowerbill1952
46 posts
4th
Joined
2/26/2007



Re: Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 12 Jul 07 9:59 AM
We've used a stand up version called the tornado from Miracle (don't know if that's a bad word here).  This year we'll be using a comparable item from Gametime called the xcelerator.  Be sure to inspect the pivot points for wear periodically.  They seem to be heavily used here.
imgOfflineleanC
5 posts
Joined
7/20/2007

Re: Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 07 Aug 07 10:27 PM
They seem to be a great piece of equipment - I've seen them locally and kids love them.  But, they are only okay as long as you are not dealing with special needs children or kids with sensory issues.  We are building a motor-sensory play space, and all three of the occupational and physical therapists on the team said NOOOOO!  Many kids love to spin, but some with ADD or ADHD - something as mild as that - are lacking in self-regulatory abilities (think about incessant fidgeting, toe tapping, etc).  Unless an adult is right there to make them stop, some kids will get so stimulated they go until they fall over out of dizziness.  In some cases, special needs kids can knock themselves into a seizure (!) from excessive spinning.  That wouldn't have ever occurred to me, but people in OT and PT know this well.
imgOfflinensaini
59 posts
4th
Joined
11/27/2006



Re: Is anyone using saddle spinners in their project?
Posted: 09 Aug 07 3:36 PM
I heartily agree. Saddle spinners (didnt know that was their official name) are great fun!!
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