Create cleaner, safer and more engaging outdoor play environments with premium artificial grass, exclusive Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology and the SafeBase Certified Shockpad System.
Safer, Cleaner Outdoor Spaces for Every Childcare Centre
Outdoor play is an essential part of early childhood education, but keeping outdoor areas safe, clean and attractive can be challenging.
Heavy daily use quickly turns natural grass into muddy play areas during winter and dusty bare patches throughout summer. Bark requires regular topping up and maintenance, while worn outdoor areas can create unnecessary work for staff.
Artificial grass provides a practical long-term solution that helps create cleaner classrooms, safer playgrounds and outdoor spaces children can enjoy in every season.
Say Goodbye to Mud
One of the biggest challenges for childcare centres is mud.
After rain, hundreds of little feet quickly turn natural grass into muddy play areas. Children carry mud into classrooms, onto carpets and throughout the centre, creating extra cleaning for staff and sending children home with muddy clothes.
Artificial grass creates a clean, free-draining surface that helps significantly reduce mud, keeping outdoor areas usable throughout winter while reducing the amount of dirt brought indoors.
Cooler Surfaces with Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology
At Unreal Lawns, we believe artificial grass for childcare centres should do much more than simply look great.
That’s why selected products feature our exclusive Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology—a premium turf system designed to create cleaner, cooler and more comfortable outdoor environments for children.
From helping reduce surface temperatures during warmer weather to supporting a cleaner play environment with antibacterial protection, Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology has been developed with the demands of busy childcare centres in mind.
Combined with professional installation and the appropriate SafeBase Certified Shockpad System where Critical Fall Height protection is required, it delivers a premium outdoor surface built to perform throughout the year.
Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology Features
❄️ Cooler Underfoot
Designed to help reduce surface temperatures compared with conventional artificial grass, creating a more comfortable outdoor play environment during warmer weather.
🛡️ Antibacterial Protection
Built-in antibacterial technology helps support a cleaner, more hygienic play surface—an important benefit for busy childcare centres where children spend hours playing outdoors.
🌿 Anti-Moss Technology
Helps inhibit moss growth, keeping your playground looking cleaner while reducing ongoing maintenance.
🏊 Pool Friendly
Suitable for pool surrounds and splash play areas, with excellent drainage and materials designed to perform in wet environments.
⭐ Premium Turf
A high-quality artificial grass system designed to deliver a natural appearance, exceptional durability and year-round performance.
Certified Playground Safety
Keeping children safe is every childcare centre’s highest priority.
The SafeBase Certified Shockpad System is installed beneath premium artificial grass to provide impact protection for qualifying playground equipment where Critical Fall Height (CFH) protection is required.
Different SafeBase configurations provide different levels of certified impact protection, allowing the system to be selected according to the Critical Fall Height requirements of the playground equipment.
For many childcare playground applications, our 30 mm SafeBase system provides certified CFH protection up to 1.5 metres, while other SafeBase configurations are available where greater impact protection is required.
SafeBase playground systems have been independently tested to recognised playground safety standards, including:
- NZS 5828:2015
- EN 1177:2018
By matching the SafeBase configuration to the playground equipment and required Critical Fall Height, childcare centres can combine certified impact protection with the clean, natural appearance and low-maintenance benefits of premium artificial grass.
Learn more about the SafeBase Certified Shockpad System
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Interactive Outdoor Play Spaces
Every childcare centre is unique, and outdoor play areas should encourage movement, imagination and exploration.
Our short pile artificial grass system allows us to create custom play environments using colourful shapes, patterns and activity zones manufactured directly into the turf.
Unlike painted markings or graphics added after installation, these custom features are stitched into the artificial grass during manufacture, creating a premium finish designed to withstand years of busy childcare use.
These custom play features can be incorporated into artificial grass installed over the appropriate SafeBase system, allowing childcare centres to create engaging outdoor spaces while meeting the impact protection requirements of qualifying playground equipment.
A Better Alternative to Bark
Bark has traditionally been used beneath playground equipment because it provides impact protection, but it requires ongoing maintenance.
Over time it needs to be raked, topped up and eventually replaced as it breaks down or is displaced through daily use.
Artificial grass installed over the appropriate SafeBase Certified Shockpad System provides a cleaner, longer-lasting solution that significantly reduces maintenance while providing certified impact protection where required.
Built for Busy Childcare Centres
Benefits
🌧️ Less Mud Indoors
Help keep classrooms cleaner after wet weather.
🛡️SafeBase Certified Playground Protection
Independently tested systems for peace of mind.
❄️ Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology
Premium comfort and hygiene features.
🌿 Low Maintenance
No mowing, no muddy patches and no bare areas.
👣 Year-Round Play
A durable surface designed for everyday use.
⭐ Professional Installation
Installed by experienced artificial grass specialists.
Why More Childcare Centres Are Choosing Artificial Grass
Natural grass can look great, but for busy childcare centres it often creates ongoing maintenance, muddy play areas and unnecessary cleaning.
Premium artificial grass provides a cleaner, safer and lower-maintenance alternative that keeps outdoor areas looking great and ready for play throughout the year.
| Natural Grass | Premium Artificial Grass |
|---|---|
| Mud after rain | Clean, free-draining surface |
| Requires regular mowing | No mowing required |
| Bare patches develop over time | Consistent, natural appearance |
| Mud tracked into classrooms | Cleaner indoor learning spaces |
| High ongoing maintenance | Low maintenance |
| Seasonal appearance | Green all year round |
| Can become dusty in summer | Comfortable play surface throughout the year |
| Worn by heavy foot traffic | Designed for busy childcare environments |
Why Choose Unreal Lawns?
At Unreal Lawns, we understand that childcare centres need more than just artificial grass.
We create complete outdoor play environments designed around safety, durability, hygiene and children’s enjoyment, helping childcare centres provide cleaner, more engaging spaces for children to learn and play.
Our team can help you create an outdoor environment that:
- ✔ Reduces mud and ongoing maintenance
- ✔ Offers SafeBase certified impact protection where Critical Fall Height protection is required
- ✔ Includes exclusive Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology
- ✔ Encourages active outdoor play and learning
- ✔ Incorporates custom colours, shapes and interactive play features
- ✔ Is built to withstand years of heavy daily use
Whether you’re upgrading an existing playground, replacing natural grass or planning a brand-new outdoor learning space, our experienced team will work with you from consultation through to professional installation, creating an outdoor environment that’s built to perform for years to come.
Trusted by Childcare Centres Across New Zealand
From small early learning centres to large childcare facilities, Unreal Lawns designs and installs premium artificial grass systems that create safer, cleaner and more enjoyable outdoor environments.
Every childcare centre is different. That’s why we work closely with each client to recommend the right artificial grass, SafeBase configuration and custom play features to suit their space, playground equipment, budget and long-term needs.
Whether you’re replacing natural grass, upgrading an existing playground or planning a brand-new childcare centre, our team can help design the right solution for your needs.
Learn More About Artificial Grass for Childcare Centres
Creating a successful childcare playground involves more than choosing artificial grass. Explore our related guides, safety systems and technologies to learn more about playground surfacing, Critical Fall Height, installation and long-term performance.
Childcare Guides
Childcare Playground Surfacing – Learn how to choose the right playground surface for your childcare centre, including artificial grass, bark, wet pour rubber and natural grass.
Artificial Grass vs Bark for Childcare Centres – Compare two of the most popular playground surfacing options, including safety, maintenance, drainage and long-term value.
Playground Safety Standards for Childcare Centres – Learn about Critical Fall Height (CFH), recognised playground safety standards, certified surfacing systems and how to create safer outdoor play environments.
Artificial Grass Cost for Childcare Centres – Understand the factors that influence artificial grass installation costs and how to compare quotations with confidence.
Artificial Grass Maintenance for Childcare Centres – Discover simple maintenance practices that keep artificial grass playgrounds clean, safe and performing at their best throughout the year.
Playground Safety & Technology
SafeBase Certified Shockpad System – Discover our independently tested playground impact protection system, certified to NZS 5828:2015 and EN 1177:2018 and designed for use beneath premium artificial grass where Critical Fall Height protection is required.
Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology – Discover how our exclusive artificial grass technology enhances comfort, durability and long-term playground performance.
Professional Artificial Grass Installation – Find out why expert site preparation, drainage and installation are essential for long-lasting playground performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can artificial grass be installed under playground equipment?
Yes. Artificial grass can be installed over the appropriate SafeBase Certified Shockpad System beneath qualifying playground equipment. Different SafeBase configurations provide different levels of certified Critical Fall Height (CFH) protection, allowing the system to be matched to the requirements of the playground equipment.
Can your playground systems meet NZS 5828:2015?
Yes. Our SafeBase playground systems have been independently tested to NZS 5828:2015 and EN 1177:2018, with different configurations available to provide certified Critical Fall Height protection when installed to the tested specification..
Is artificial grass better than bark?
Artificial grass installed over the appropriate SafeBase Certified Shockpad System provides a cleaner, lower-maintenance alternative to bark while providing certified impact protection where Critical Fall Height protection is required.
Will artificial grass reduce mud?
Yes. Artificial grass creates a free-draining surface that significantly reduces muddy play areas and helps keep indoor spaces cleaner.
Can you create custom play areas?
Yes. Our short pile system allows custom colours, shapes and activity areas to be manufactured directly into the turf, creating durable interactive play environments.
Does artificial grass get hot in summer?
Selected Unreal Lawns products feature Cool Turf 5-in-1 Technology, designed to help reduce surface temperatures compared with conventional artificial grass. When combined with shade and good playground design, it helps create a more comfortable outdoor play environment for children.
How much maintenance does artificial grass require?
Artificial grass is much lower maintenance than natural grass. There’s no mowing, watering or fertilising, and no muddy areas to repair after wet weather. Occasional brushing and removing leaves or debris will help keep your playground looking its best.
How long does artificial grass last in a childcare centre?
Our premium artificial grass is designed to withstand the demands of busy childcare environments. With professional installation and routine maintenance, it provides a durable, long-lasting surface for years of daily use.
Does artificial grass drain after heavy rain?
Yes. Our artificial grass systems are designed with excellent drainage, allowing water to flow through the surface quickly. This helps reduce puddles and muddy areas, making outdoor spaces usable sooner after rain.
Do you install artificial grass for childcare centres throughout New Zealand?
Yes. Unreal Lawns supplies and installs premium artificial grass for childcare centres throughout New Zealand. We can help with everything from small outdoor play areas to complete playground upgrades incorporating the SafeBase Certified Shockpad System where Critical Fall Height protection is required.
Create a Safer, Cleaner Outdoor Environment
Whether you’re planning a new childcare centre or upgrading an existing playground, Unreal Lawns can help create an outdoor space that’s safe, durable and designed for years of active play.
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