• Boat or ship playground equipment can help kids develop their bodies and minds.kids image by Marzanna Syncerz from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children need at least one hour of play per day. Not only do kids literally need to run around, they also need to engage in activities that build muscle and bone. Playground equipment is a good way for kids to burn energy and build muscles by climbing, jumping, pushing and pulling as well giving them a chance to stretch their imaginations. Several companies offer nautical playground options options--from relatively simple wooden boat structures to fantasy, dream ships.
  
  

Youngster's Yacht from Play Mor

• Play Mor Swingsets, located in Holmes County, Ohio, makes a "Youngster's Yacht," which is a large wooden boat play structure. The boat features above and below deck play areas and comes with a ship's wheel and flags. Accessories such as a slide, ladder or canopy may also be purchased. More details as well as how to find a Play Mor Swingsets dealer can be found at the company's website. (Reference 2)
  
  

Boat Playground from North Country Storage Barns

• North Country Storage Barns makes wooden boat playgrounds in three different sizes with many different accessories. All sizes feature above and below deck play areas and come with a mast, slide, trapeze bars, ramp, ladder and fireman's pole. Buyers have the option of purchasing a swing set which attaches to the boat and a canopy for the upper deck.
  
  North Country Storage Barns
  
  Home Office and Main Showroom
  
  32660 Rt. 11 South
  
  Philadelphia, NY 13673
  
  315-642-0209
  
  ncsbarns.com
  
  

Ship Ahoy from Barbara Butler

• The Ship Ahoy from Barbara Butler would be a dream come true for kids--or adults--who love to play pirates. The two-story structure is ornately decorated and features a crow's nest, porthole windows, secret escape door, slide, rope ladder, climbing tower and swing bridge. If a buyer still needs more, he or she can add accessories such as a zip line, water cannon and safe. Price and other details are available at the Barbara Butler website, which is listed below.
  
  Barbara Butler Artist-Builder, Inc.
  
  325 South Maple Avenue, #37
  
  South San Francisco, CA 94080
  
  415-864-6840
  
  barbarabutler.com
  
  

Ark from Swansea Play Systems

• The Ark from Swansea Play Systems features above and below deck play areas with a railing around the top deck. The top deck also features a small house-like structure. The Ark comes with a slide, ladder and ramp and can be upgraded to include a swing set. More details, including how to find a Swansea retailer, can be found at the company's website, which is listed below.
  
  Swansea Play Systems
  
  508-679-5088
  
  swanseaplay.com