Educational
Educational playground markings
World maps, analogue clocks, compass points and alphabet trails that let teachers move a lesson outdoors without carrying a thing.
- Free design and site survey
- Durable thermoplastic, anti-slip
- Installed nationwide, often in a day

What are educational playground markings?
Educational playground markings are thermoplastic designs that put curriculum topics onto the yard, from a world map and compass rose to a working clock face and an A to Z alphabet snake. They cover the subjects that benefit most from space and movement: geography, maths, literacy and phonics. A class can find a continent with their feet, read the time off a two-metre clock, or hop the alphabet in order, which suits the children who take things in better on the move than at a desk.
Why schools choose them
Whole subjects, out on the yard
A map handles geography, a clock handles time, an alphabet snake handles early phonics. Between them they cover a lot of ground that lands better outdoors.
Right for active learners
Children who fidget at a desk often click when a lesson lets them walk, point and jump. These designs are built for exactly that.
Used well beyond lessons
A world map and a clock get pointed at, argued over and played on at break as well as in class, so they keep working all day.
Types of educational playground markings we install
World maps, clocks and phonics trails that take a lesson outside.
World and UK maps
Continents, oceans and countries laid out to scale, with a compass rose alongside for directions.
Analogue clock face
A large clock with movable focus, for teaching o’clock, half past and the language of time.
Alphabet snakes and phonics trails
A to Z paths and sound trails for early reading, letter recognition and blending.
Compass points and directions
North, south, east and west set into the ground for geography, maps and outdoor navigation games.
How the work goes
Survey, design, install and aftercare, and most of it is ours to do.
- 01
Survey
We look at the surface and the space, and talk through which topics your teachers want outside, so the map or clock lands somewhere it will actually get used.
- 02
Design
We draw the design to scale, agree the colours and, for maps, confirm the labelling, then send it over for your subject leads to approve.
- 03
Install
The design is masked out and laid in thermoplastic on site. A world map or large clock is typically completed within a day.
- 04
Aftercare
The markings are ready to use once cool. We can add matching pieces, a compass or an alphabet trail, on a later visit to build the set up over time.
What do educational playground markings cost?
A large world map or clock face usually sits somewhere around £450 to £1,200 fitted, depending on its size and detail, while a simple alphabet snake costs a good deal less. Grouping several designs into one install brings the price per piece down. As always the figure depends on the design, the area, the surface and access, so we survey first and give you a fixed quote.
Get a fixed quoteSpecification at a glance
The key details for educational playground markings. We confirm everything on your design drawing.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Hot-applied thermoplastic |
| World map | Typically 4m x 3m up to 8m x 5m |
| Clock face | Around 2m to 3m diameter |
| Subjects | Geography, maths, literacy, phonics |
| Surface | Tarmac or macadam, sound and dry |
| Install time | Often a single day for a large piece |
Examples of our work
A closer look at educational markings and designs like them on real school playgrounds.
Educational playground markings: your questions answered
What educational markings are most popular?
World maps, analogue clocks, compass points and alphabet snakes are the ones schools ask for most, because each one carries a clear part of the curriculum. Number grids and phonics trails run them close. We can combine a few into one scheme so the yard covers several subjects.
Are the maps accurate and up to date?
Yes. Our world and UK maps are drawn to scale with correct continents, oceans and borders, and we confirm the labelling with you on the design drawing before anything is installed, so it matches how your school teaches it.
Can educational markings suit different year groups?
They can. An alphabet snake and a simple clock suit EYFS and Key Stage 1, while detailed maps, compass work and place-value grids stretch Key Stage 2. Tell us your year groups and we will suggest a mix that earns its place.
Get a free design and a fixed quote
Tell us about your playground and we will arrange a survey, draw educational markings around your yard and send a fixed price, with no obligation. Prefer to talk it through?
0333 321 6695Thanks, that is with us
One of the team will be in touch to arrange your free design and site survey. If it is urgent, call 0333 321 6695.
Markings that work well alongside
Schemes schools often combine with educational playground markings.
Ready to get your playground moving?
Tell us about your space and we will send a free design and a fixed quote.
- Free design and site survey
- No obligation
- Nationwide install team








