The introduction of movable pool floors offers an opportunity to create water play areas through cutting-edge interactive installations that also maximize space
From splashing in puddles to diving in pools, a look at water play areas reveals these remain a fundamental source of unparalleled joy and fun. While the allure of water remains intact over time, modern water play areas are becoming increasingly sophisticated, applying innovation for the sake of increasing both their leisure potential, safety and versatility for pool owners. On top of this, it’s well known that water play areas are not just fun: they also offer significant educational benefits.
In this context, the advent of interactive movable pool floors has provided a key milestone in the possibilities of water play. These installations are able to transform conventional pools into dynamic low-depth playgrounds or splash parks, significantly expanding the versatility of pool installations aiming for a strategic reset.
Find out more about the cutting-edge technology behind movable pool floors for water play and their potential for both amplifying fun and child development opportunities.
Water play is a timeless activity that captivates children for hours on end. Whether at public pools, in a water park, or at a private sports club pool, playing in water environments provides a refreshing escape and has an impact on both the mind and the body. Just by splashing around, fitness and health are promoted and endorphins released, the neurotransmitters in charge of enhancing overall well-being.
However, creating an outstanding leisure experience in water play pools demands expertise and knowledge, crafting a delicate exercise in pool design.
On the one hand, water play areas are specifically designed to promote entertainment and fun. As such, certain targeted aquatic installations are a must in these areas: from interactive water jets and fountains (coming in different colors and shapes), to water splashes, dynamic water jets, interactive games and so on. It’s only through the right combination of these that a splash park or a dry-deck playground area can truly fulfill its purpose.
On the other hand, safety must represent the number one priority, with adequate shallowness being just one of the key aspects.
A good example of the intricacies of design for water play are lighting considerations. Lighting in water play areas serves a dual purpose of both enhancing safety (as it ensures visibility and prevents accidents) and creating an inviting and playful ambiance. As such, when applied correctly, lighting can highlight features such as waterfalls and interactive installations within the pool area, becoming an ally for themed pools that enhance children’s experiences.
From frolicking in rivers and streams, water play areas have evolved in modern times to be integrated within increasingly advanced swimming pools and water parks. But the benefits of water play have remained, fundamentally, the same: an activity that provides joy, learning, and development opportunities.
What is it about water play exactly that turns the right type of pool into a powerful educational tool?
The psychological dynamics at work during water play represent the most plausible answer, as water play areas offer a multi-sensory experience that stimulates cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Firstly, water engages the senses and promotes sensory integration (volume, temperature, buoyancy…) and cognitive growth. Secondly, actions like pouring, splashing, and floating improve both fine and gross motor skills, including important milestones like hand-eye coordination, balance, and strength through playful interactions.
Thirdly, as water play often involves group activities, it encourages children to cooperate, share and communicate, thus building essential social skills that will accompany them into their mature life. Finally, problem-solving capacities are also introduced, with fundamental concepts like measurement, experimentation, hypothesizing and drawing conclusions being prompted.
Liftable movable pool floors represent one of the most exciting advancements in swimming pools and water play environments as well.
Capable of turning pools into multipurpose spaces that appeal to a wide variety of users, they harness hydraulic technology to make both indoor and outdoor pools deeper or shallower on request.
Simply put, movable pool floors can be adjusted to different heights. As such, they effectively present the option for building multipurpose installations where possibilities are endless: dance floor, water aerobics area, physical therapy space…
Interactive movable floors is an innovative solution to transform a traditional pool into a children’s zero-depth playground area. It can be equipped with water jets, fountains and other interactive features, all while maximizing space optimization, so that when the pool is not in use, the floor is raised to create this recreational space.
One great example of these interactive movable floors is the H20 Area system by VarioPool, which offers a glimpse into these systems’ outstanding transformative possibilities. From water activities to spectacular fountains that respond to user interactions, the pool is built so that kids are actively engaged in a unique aquatic experience. With the floor raised to about 10 cm below the water surface, the installation also involves a high-performance projector (equipped with 3D tracking cameras and a custom-built cooling housing) placed above the pool.
Then, the games begin: controlled by staff on a user-friendly computer program, the software projects a game image on the movable floor, while also tracking users on the pool and interactively responding to their movements.
As we’ve seen above, water play is a powerful tool, a key that unlocks many doors for both children and pool operators. Fun and learning align in water play areas, which are enhanced by advanced technology today to extend these installations’ possibilities.
Through the introduction of interactive movable pool floors, the potential to create outstanding yet safe water play experiences has expanded significantly, allowing pool operators and sports club owners to elevate the type of experience they can offer, all while maximizing their space.