Skip to content
Inground gaga ball pit with rubber flooring on a school field
November 13, 2026 Soo Yun Kim

Spend It Before You Lose It: Smart Year-End Playground Upgrades for Schools and Churches

As the year winds down, many schools, churches, daycares, and nonprofits find themselves with funds that need to be spent or committed before the end of a budget period. Unused money can disappear—and in many organizations, next year's budget is based on what was spent this year. Leave money on the table, and you may get less next time.

The good news: the playground is one of the most visible, long-lasting places to put those dollars. Every family that drops off or picks up a child sees it. Every recess, kids use it. And unlike many purchases, a quality playground upgrade lasts for years.

Here are upgrades that make a real difference without requiring a full playground redesign—plus a step-by-step plan to get your order in before your deadline.

What Makes a Good Year-End Purchase?

  • Clear, fixed cost. Easy to quote and approve quickly.
  • Doesn't require a full redesign. Adds to what you already have.
  • Visible impact. Families, staff, and board members can see where the money went.
  • Long life. Commercial-grade products that hold up to daily use.
  • Simple installation. Products your own team can set up, or that don't require major site work.

1. Add a Gaga Ball Pit

A gaga ball pit gives an entire class something active to do at recess, works for a wide range of ages and abilities, and fits on most playgrounds or even in a gym. It's one of the most popular additions we see from schools, camps, and churches.

Inground gaga ball pit on a school playground

Add the Gaga Flooring Kit—interlocking tiles made from 100% vulcanized recycled rubber—for a cushioned, consistent playing surface. Compare every option in our Gaga Ball Pit Buying Guide.

2. Replace Worn or Missing Borders

If surfacing is spilling into the grass or old wooden timbers are rotting and splintering, new borders are one of the most practical safety investments you can make. Borders keep your loose-fill surfacing at a safe depth—and that's something every safety inspector and insurer cares about.

Action Play Systems 12" borders and 8" borders interlock, include snap-in spikes, feature a patented Surfacing Guide, and install much faster than wood. Use our border sizing guide to calculate how many you need.

Commercial plastic playground border

3. Make Your Playground More Accessible

Accessibility upgrades are often a priority for administrators, boards, and families. They also make strong cases for year-end spending because they serve every child.

  • An ADA Full Ramp or Half Ramp creates a wheelchair-accessible entry through your playground border. Each kit includes filler ends and spikes.
  • The ADA gate gaga pit lets every child join the game.
  • An ADA trike path gives early learners an accessible riding surface.

ADA accessible playground border ramp

4. Build a Trike Path for Early Learners

For preschools and daycares, a Trike Path separates riders from the rest of the playground and turns riding time into a learning experience. Infinity Playgrounds trike paths are made from durable TPO plastic and are ADA compliant, with a 5-foot width and a 2-inch edge along the sides. Expand the experience with traffic signs, a gas station play panel, and lockable trike storage.

Commercial trike path for preschools

5. Add a Stand-Alone Activity

Single play events are an easy way to refresh a playground without touching the existing structure:

Sample Budget Ideas

Every project is different, but here's how organizations often group year-end purchases:

  • Smaller budgets: Replacement borders and spikes, filler ends, a portable GaGa2Go, or a single play event
  • Mid-size budgets: An inground gaga pit with flooring, a full border replacement, or an ADA ramp plus borders
  • Larger budgets: A complete trike path with storage and signs, or multiple upgrades combined into one order

Tell us your budget and we'll suggest the combination that gives you the most play value.

How to Move Fast Before Year-End

  1. Confirm your deadline. Ask your business office whether funds must be spent, ordered, invoiced, or simply encumbered by a certain date.
  2. Request a quote early. Many organizations need a formal quote to issue a purchase order. The sooner you ask, the more time you'll have for approvals.
  3. Check vendor requirements. If your district needs a W-9, vendor registration, or tax-exempt certificate, start that paperwork right away.
  4. Issue the PO. Kingdom Playground accepts purchase orders from schools, churches, and government agencies. Learn more about how our PO process works.
  5. Plan delivery. Let us know about any restrictions, such as school breaks, holiday closures, or limited receiving hours. See what to expect on delivery day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we order now and install in spring?

Many organizations do exactly that—commit funds before year-end and schedule installation when the weather warms up. Let us know your preferred timing when you request a quote.

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. We work with schools, churches, daycares, and government agencies and accept purchase orders.

Can you help us choose?

Absolutely. Share your budget, age groups, and a few photos of your space, and we'll recommend options.

Get a Free Quote

Have questions or ready to price out your project? Our team will help you choose the right products and put together a quote for your school, church, daycare, camp, or park. Purchase orders are welcome.

Filed in: Budget & Funding, Churches, Gaga Ball, Planning, Playground Borders, Schools
Next article Gaga Ball Pit Buying Guide: Inground vs. Portable vs. ADA Gate (and Which Size to Choose)