shelter for playgrounds

Safe and vibrant shade solutions for playgrounds across New Zealand.

Playground shade sails and shade structures from Shade Systems keep New Zealand play spaces safe and usable in strong UV and unpredictable weather. We design, make and install playground shade for schools, councils and early childhood centres, from a single sail over a climbing frame to a waterproof structure covering an entire play zone.

We work with schools, councils, ECE centres, and community organisations to deliver smart, custom-built playground shade solutions. From colourful shade sails over climbing frames to robust, waterproof structures covering entire play zones, we tailor each design to fit your environment, budget, and long-term needs.

Our structures not only reduce UV exposure but also help extend equipment life, improve comfort, and make your space more inviting for families and tamariki alike.

why choose our playground shade solutions?

  • Maximum UV Protection: Our premium shade cloths and membranes block up to 98% of harmful UV rays, helping protect kids from sunburn and long-term skin damage.

  • NZ-Wide Experience: We’ve delivered shade solutions to hundreds of schools, parks, and early childhood centres across Aotearoa, and we understand the needs of public play spaces.

  • Durable & Weather-Resistant: Engineered to handle high winds, rain, and New Zealand’s extreme UV, our structures are built tough — and backed by strong warranties.

  • Tailored to Your Playground: Every playground is different. That’s why we offer fully custom designs to fit your equipment layout, aesthetic goals, and available space.

  • Fast Installation with Minimal Disruption: We’re experts in working around active school sites and public spaces, ensuring safe, efficient installs that keep your space open and functioning.

  • Full Compliance & Safety Assurance: All our structures are engineered and certified to meet or exceed NZ building codes, with safety-first design at every stage.

  • Bold Colours & Inspiring Designs: We offer a wide range of vibrant colours and creative shapes to turn your playground into a welcoming, visually exciting space.

  • Long-Term Value: Investing in shade extends the life of your playground equipment, reduces maintenance, and enhances your reputation as a family-friendly space.

popular playground shade solutions.

Shade Sails

playground shade

Perfect for irregular or creative playground layouts, shade sails are flexible, modern, and visually striking.

Tensile Membrane

shade products

Designed for durability and drama, these statement structures offer expansive cover with minimal supports — ideal for public parks and civic playgrounds.

Hip Roof

hip roof shade

Ideal for larger, high-traffic play areas needing generous coverage and a clean architectural look.

Star Shade®

star shade umbrella

A stunning single-column design that provides large, circular shade areas and creates a playful centrepiece.

faq.

Playground Shade FAQ’s

For optimum protection, we recommend covering at least 40–60% of the total play area, focusing on high-use equipment like slides and climbing frames. Our team can help assess your site and recommend the ideal coverage.

Absolutely. All Shade Systems playground structures are designed with child safety in mind — featuring smooth finishes, engineered load ratings, and secure fixings. We also comply with NZ standards for early childhood and school safety.

Yes — we regularly install during term time with careful planning to ensure minimal disruption. Our team works safely around children and can schedule work outside school hours if needed.

Our sails use heavy-duty HDPE shade cloth on galvanised steel poles and carry a 10 year fabric warranty; with an annual check and re-tension they last 10 to 15 years, and the steel longer.

A shade sail is shade cloth on poles: it blocks up to 98% of UV, lets rain through and can be taken down over winter. A waterproof structure (tensile membrane, hip roof or COLA) is a permanent roof that keeps the area dry and usable in all weather. Most playgrounds need shade; a play space used for lessons or by a club needs cover. We will tell you which on the site visit.

testimonial.

For us the shade structure is really important, we are a growing school, 600 kids now, and we have limited shade here and our school hall is not big enough to hold a full school assembly so for us it’s a twofold space, an outdoor space in summer, and in winter we can also be under here when it’s raining.

Testimonial by,

Stanhope Road School
Principal Zane Wilson

completed playground projects.

  • Whangarei Town Basin Playground

  • Whoa! Studios

  • Rangutu Park

get in touch.

Contact our Shade Specialists today to request a site visit or discuss your requirements. We work with various education, governmental, and commercial partners to produce premium shade and shelter structures across New Zealand and around the globe. Furthermore, we aim to help make outdoor spaces enjoyed by the public more sun safe and weatherproof!