The Little Hedgehog Play Tower from ESP takes an open-deck approach, replacing enclosed roofs with a light, airy frame that keeps clear sightlines across the whole structure, useful on sites where supervision matters, from nursery outdoor areas to busy school playgrounds.

Two linked decks sit at the centre of the unit, edged with timber balustrades and brightly coloured panels punched with portholes and cut-out shapes for peering, posting and imaginative play. A wide moulded slide provides the main descent, with generous side walls and a gentle run-out. Around the perimeter, a climbing wall panel with moulded holds gives an achievable first climbing challenge, while a rope element offers a second route up for children ready to test themselves. Contrasting handholds mark the transitions, helping younger users read the structure and plan their way through it. The open framing beneath the decks creates natural den space for quieter, ground-level play.

Structural components are produced from laminated timber, engineered for dimensional stability. Laminated sections resist the twisting, splitting and surface checking that degrade solid round timber over time, so the unit holds both its appearance and its structural performance through years of continuous outdoor use with noticeably lower maintenance demand across its lifespan.

Manufactured in the UK, the Little Hedgehog gives specifiers shorter lead times, direct technical support and full material traceability. It is fully compliant with BS EN 1176 and supplied with the documentation required for inspection and sign-off.

Well suited to early years settings, primary schools, local authority parks and residential development open space, it delivers strong play value across a compact footprint.

Contact ESP to discuss specification, surfacing, installation and site-specific layouts.

Small tower, big adventures

The Little Squirrel Play Tower is built for the youngest climbers, the ones taking their first proper steps up a ladder and their first ride down a slide. Compact enough for a nursery garden or a corner of the play area, it packs a full loop of play into a single tower: climb up, look out, slide down, run round, do it all again.

A pitched apex roof shelters the deck above, creating a lookout, a shop counter, a lighthouse or a squirrel’s drey, depending on who’s up there that day. Below the deck, the enclosed space becomes a den — a quiet spot to hide, sit and reset before re-joining the game.

Ways up, ways down

The Little Squirrel offers more than one route to the top, so children can choose the challenge that suits their confidence on the day.

• Timber access ladder — wide, evenly spaced steps for a first, steady climb
• Rope climb — a wobblier, more demanding way up that builds grip, balance and core strength
• Yellow wave slide — a gentle two-wave descent, wide enough to feel exciting without feeling steep
• Play panels — bright blue panels set into the balustrade for imaginative and interactive play
• Enclosed deck — full-height infill panels and guardrails around the platform
• Under-deck den — sheltered ground-level space for quiet and role play

Why it works in early years settings

Physical play at this age is about far more than burning off energy. Climbing a ladder develops cross-body coordination; gripping a rope builds the hand strength that later supports pencil control; judging the height of a step teaches spatial awareness and risk assessment. The Little Squirrel packages all of that into something that simply feels like fun.

Its compact footprint makes it a realistic option where space is tight, small nursery gardens, EYFS outdoor areas, village halls and community parks. while its bright, friendly styling makes it an easy landmark for children to find and gather around.

Made in the UK from laminated timber

Every Little Squirrel Play Tower is designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK by ESP Play.

We build with laminated timber rather than solid sawn posts. Laminated timber is engineered by bonding layers of graded softwood together under pressure, which produces posts that are stronger, straighter and significantly more resistant to twisting, warping and splitting. In a playground that means a frame that keeps its shape year after year, with smooth, clean edges that are kinder to small hands.

All timber is pressure-treated for long-term protection against rot and insect attack, and every unit is installed by our own teams and supported by our aftercare service.

Play Tower FAQs

What is a play tower?

A play tower is a raised platform on timber posts, usually with a roof, guardrails and one or more ways to climb up and get down. It acts as the anchor point of a play area, children gather at it, queue for it and build games around it. Towers can stand alone, as the Little Squirrel does, or be linked together with bridges and walkways to form larger multi-tower frames.

What age is the Little Squirrel Play Tower suitable for?

It’s designed for early years and lower primary children, roughly 3 to 7 years. The low platform height, wide ladder steps and gentle slide gradient are all pitched at children still developing their climbing confidence.

How much space do I need around it?

Playground equipment needs a clear safety zone around it, free from obstructions such as walls, fences, trees and other equipment. As a general rule this extends at least 1.5 metres from the equipment in every direction, with a larger area needed at the foot of a slide to allow for the run-out. We survey your site before installation and confirm the exact area required.

Do I need safety surfacing underneath?

If equipment has a free height of fall greater than 600mm, impact-attenuating surfacing is required beneath it and throughout the fall zone. Options include wet pour rubber, rubber mulch, grass matting over turf and loose-fill materials such as bark. Each has different costs, drainage characteristics and maintenance needs, we’ll talk you through which suits your site, budget and how heavily the area will be used.

Is it suitable for public play areas, schools and nurseries?

The Little Squirrel is built to commercial specification, meaning it’s engineered for the sustained, repeated use a play area, nursery or school playground puts equipment through. Domestic garden equipment is built to a different, lighter standard and won’t withstand the same demands.

What maintenance does a play tower need?

Three levels of inspection are recommended for play equipment in public and educational settings: a routine visual check for obvious hazards such as damage or litter, carried out frequently; a more detailed operational inspection every one to three months covering wear, stability and moving parts; and an annual main inspection by a competent person to assess overall structural integrity. Timber should also be checked at ground level, where moisture damage typically begins.

How long will it last?

With pressure-treated laminated timber and proper inspection and maintenance, a well-installed play tower should give many years of service. The timber guarantee is 20 years but the lifespan depends heavily on site conditions, drainage, surfacing and how thoroughly the maintenance regime is followed.

Can it be customised?

Yes. We can discuss colour options, additional or alternative activities, and adjustments to suit the space you have. Because we design and manufacture in-house, we have real flexibility to adapt a unit to your site rather than asking your site to accommodate a catalogue product.

Do you install it, or do we arrange that?

Our own installation teams carry out the work, including groundworks and surfacing where required. Installation quality matters enormously to how safely and how long equipment performs, which is why we don’t subcontract it.

How do we get a quote?

Get in touch with a few details about your site, the age group you’re catering for and any budget you’re working to. We can arrange a site visit and put together a proposal, for the Little Squirrel on its own, or as part of a wider play area design.

Mud Kitchen 2 is a practical and engaging outdoor play resource, carefully designed for early years and nursery environments to promote active, hands-on learning through play. Perfect for outdoor play areas, it gives children a dedicated space to investigate, experiment, and enjoy creative and sensory experiences together.

Constructed from high-quality laminated timber, this mud kitchen is designed for long-term outdoor use, offering excellent strength, stability, and durability. Its smooth, child-friendly finish and sturdy build make it ideal for busy nursery settings, while the natural timber design integrates effortlessly into outdoor learning environments, creating a welcoming and calming play space.

The worktop includes four stainless steel bowls, allowing multiple children to play at once and encouraging social interaction. These bowls are perfect for mixing, pouring, scooping, and exploring a range of textures and materials. Although mud play is a popular activity, the kitchen is equally suited to sand, bark, gravel, water, stones, and other loose materials, providing a flexible play resource that supports outdoor learning throughout the year.

Mud Kitchen 2 supports imaginative role play, cooperative activities, and group play, helping children develop key communication and language skills as they share ideas, take turns, and express their creativity. The open-ended design also encourages fine motor skill development and early problem-solving through practical exploration.

Proudly manufactured in the UK by ESP PLAY, this mud kitchen reflects a commitment to quality, safety, and expert craftsmanship. It is a valuable addition to early years and nursery outdoor play areas, offering a durable, versatile, and engaging resource that inspires learning through play in an inclusive and stimulating setting.