Ball-containing play table for children's play areas

A play unit, comprising:

• a play table having a generally horizontal play surface mounted on a base via a bearing device so that the play surface can be moved relative to the base between a plurality of inclinations while mounted to the base, at least one rolling element that is guided and moves on the play surface in dependence on the inclination of the play surface, and a transparent covering mounted to the play table and spaced apart from the play surface so that the covering and the play surface cooperate to at least partially define an enclosure that the rolling element moves within while the rolling element rolls on the play surface;
• and
• at least one return guide is provided on an underside of the play surface, and the rolling element can be moved along the return guide from a target point on the play surface to a starting point on the play surface,
• wherein the enclosure, which the rolling element moves within while the rolling element rolls on the play surface, and the return guide define a closed system that prevents the user from removing the rolling element from the play unit, with the covering extending over both the starting point and the target point, so that the starting point and the target point are within the closed system that prevents the user from removing the rolling element from the play unit.

A play unit, comprising:

• a play table having a generally horizontal play surface mounted on a base via a bearing device so that the play surface can be moved relative to the base between a plurality of inclinations while mounted to the base, at least one rolling element that is guided and moves on the play surface in dependence on the inclination of the play surface, and a transparent covering mounted to the play table and spaced apart from the play surface so that the covering and the play surface cooperate to at least partially define an enclosure that the rolling element moves within while the rolling element rolls on the play surface;
• at least one return guide is provided on an underside of the play surface, and the rolling element can be moved along the return guide from a target point on the play surface to a starting point on the play surface, wherein the enclosure, which the rolling element moves within while the rolling element rolls on the play surface, and the return guide define a closed system that prevents the user from removing the rolling element from the play unit;
• and
• a ball-lifting means for lifting the rolling element from within the return guide to the starting point on the play surface, wherein the ball-lifting means is positioned within the return guide.