Dry interactive play structure having recirculating play media

A dry play media collection and return system for collecting and recirculating play media in a play structure, comprising:

• a lower collection surface which generally slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation for collecting spent play media, the lower collection surface being accessible to and adapted to support play participants thereon;
• a play media collection basin in the proximity of the lower elevation for accumulating spent play media;
• and
• a conveyor for transferring play media from the collection basin to a selected distribution area whereby continuous recirculation of play media is provided.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a giant spilling basket adapted to be filled or emptied by play participants;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a geyser adapted to eject play media generally upward;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to create desired effects using the play media, at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprising a second-order play element adapted to receive play media from a first effect to create a second effect;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

An interactive play system, comprising:

• a multi-level support frame for safely supporting one or more play participants in, on or around said play system;
• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• a plurality of play elements disposed on or around said support frame at various locations and/or elevations, at least some of said play elements being adapted to receive the play media to create desired effects;
• and
• a collection and return system comprising a lower surface which slopes inward from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation and generally centrally disposed relative to the play system such that play media may be continuously collected and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a giant spilling basket adapted to be filled or emptied by play participants;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a geyser adapted to eject play media generally upward;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure, wherein at least one of the play participant actuated play elements comprises a second-order play element adapter to receive play media from a first effect to create a second effect;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
• an interactive target comprising multiple individual target areas at which play media may be propelled to strike or enter and a plurality of bells, lights, whistles, sirens or other play adapted to be activated in response to play media impacting or entering the various target areas on the interactive target so that play participants are encouraged to shoot play media at the interactive target to create a desired play effect;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

A dry interactive play structure for amusing or entertaining one or more play participants comprising:

• a source of dry play media comprising a plurality of discrete impact-safe play articles;
• one or more play participant actuated play elements adapted to propel the play media at play participants located in a play area defined within the play structure;
• said play structure further including multiple levels or platforms for safely supporting a plurality of play participants playing in, on, or around the play structure wherein at least one of the levels or platforms is vertically higher than at least one of the play elements;
• and
• a play media collection and return system for collecting spent play media from the play area and recirculating it throughout the play structure and/or to the one or more play participant actuated play elements.

An interactive play system comprising:

• a multi-level support structure for supporting one or more play participants playing in, on or around said support structure;
• a source of dry play media comprising impact-safe foam balls having a diameter of about 2½ inches, and a weight of about 0.15 oz and being formed from an expanded EVA material having a density of about 2 lbs/ft3;
• a plurality of ball launchers or accelerators for propelling the play media at one or more targets and/or at other play participants within the play area;
• and
• a collection and return system comprising a lower collection surface adapted to support one or more play participants thereon and within the play area which slopes from a higher elevation to a lower elevation and a play media collection area in the proximity of the lower elevation such that play media may be continuously collected from the play area and recirculated using a conveyor and/or suction pump to transfer play media from the collection area to a selected distribution area and/or to said ball launchers or accelerators.