Interactive play environments involve a combination of elements that interact with each other as children play. Natural materials, such as sand and water, allow for hands-on, active manipulation that enhances learning as well as the play experience. Playing outdoors offers a rich variety of play opportunities with natural elements, such as plants, trees, flowers, dirt, mud, animals, and insects. In these rich environments, child's play involves the whole child combining gross motor skills, fine motor skills, senses, emotion, intellect, individual growth, and social interaction.

Xccent Play was founded in the 1970s as Nickelson Plastics by David Nickelson. In 1978, David met Steve King from Landscape Structures, and they began using vinyl in outdoor applications. At that time most playground manufacturers were only using paint on their equipment. The use of vinyl in playground equipment completely changed the industry.

The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS) declares National Playground Safety Week each April as a time to focus on children's outdoor play environments. Appreciation for an organization or agency who exemplifies the care and concern for children by creating safe play environments is given in the annual presentation of the John Preston Playground Safety Award. The award is named after John Preston, an engineer for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and a tireless worker for the safety of children. The award was first given in 2005.

In 1982, Bond Anderson developed the musical playscape: a permanent outdoor installation of tuned musical instruments built to stand up to the weather and designed for the durability a playground setting requires. The musical instruments designed by Sound Play are designed to be played at parks, school grounds, museums, and backyards.