Bench facts for kids
A bench is a type of chair where people can sit. Benches are usually long, so more than one person can sit on them at once. You often find benches outside in parks or gardens. They are usually made from materials like wood, metal, stone, or other man-made materials. Many benches do not have a backrest.
Different Types of Benches
Benches come in many shapes and sizes, and their names often depend on where they are used.
- Park benches are found in public parks. They can be different lengths to fit various numbers of people.
- Garden benches are like park benches but are often longer and designed for gardens.
- Picnic tables often have long benches attached to them, along with a table. These tables might even fold up for easy carrying and storage.
- Scenic benches are placed in spots with beautiful views. They let you sit comfortably while enjoying a nice landscape or a busy street scene.
- Perch benches are usually in busy areas. They are designed for people to take a quick, short break.
- A storage bench is a clever bench that also has a hidden storage space inside. People often use them to keep gardening tools or grill supplies.
- A form is a simple bench without a back. In the past, forms were used for seating in dining rooms, school rooms, and even law courts.
Some benches are made for very specific uses:
- Church benches or pews are found inside places of worship. Sometimes they have an extra kneeling bench attached. Church benches can be traditional, modern, or curved to match the building's style.
- A bench seat is a long, continuous seat found in cars. It runs across the full width of the car's cabin.
- A bench (weight training) is used for fitness exercises, like the bench press, which is named after using this type of bench.
- A piano bench is usually a smaller bench designed for one person to sit on while playing the piano.
- Swing seats are benches that hang from above and can move back and forth. They are used for playing or as relaxing porch swings.
- Glider benches are similar to swing seats but they are not suspended. Instead, they have a special part underneath that lets the bench rock back and forth.
- A courting bench (also called a kissing bench or tête-à-tête) is a two-seater bench where the seats face slightly away from each other, almost like two people are talking face-to-face.
- A friendship bench in a school playground is a special place where a child can go if they want someone to talk to.
- The bench in a courtroom is where the judge sits.
Bench Materials
Benches are made from many different materials. The choice of material often depends on where the bench will be used, how long it needs to last, and how much care it will need.
- Aluminum: Aluminum benches are light and do not rust. You often see them outdoors on sports fields or courts. They are easy to move and a good choice for both indoor and outdoor places.
- Concrete: Concrete benches are very heavy and are usually placed in one spot permanently. They are super strong and can handle any kind of weather. Concrete can be mixed with different things to give benches unique looks.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a flexible material, so fiberglass benches can come in many designs and colors. They are great for inside or outside because they won't rust and need very little care. You might find them in food courts, restaurants, or office buildings.
- Powder-coated steel: Powder-coated steel benches are often found at the entrances of places like shopping centers or medical buildings. The powder coating protects the steel from rust and makes it very strong. These benches come in many colors and designs, from simple to very detailed.
- Recycled plastic: Recycled plastic benches are easy to take care of and come in many colors and styles. They are good for any environment, even salty areas near the ocean. These benches often use a lot of recycled materials, which is good for the environment. You can see them in many places like schools, universities, and stadiums.
- Thermoplastic: Thermoplastic is an eco-friendly coating for metal benches. These benches are very common in schools, parks, and offices. The material resists graffiti and is easy to fix. It also helps the metal bench last longer in different climates. There are many colors and patterns available, like expanded metal (which looks like a lattice) or strap style.
- Wood: Wood benches need more care because they need to be treated regularly to protect them from insects and weather. They are often found on walking trails and in state parks. High-quality woods like teak, redwood, and mahogany are used for fancy outdoor furniture at resorts and restaurants. Other common woods include oak and southern yellow pine.
Images for kids
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GWR Shirt Button railway bench at St Erth railway station, Cornwall, UK
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Stone bench at Livadia Palace, Ukraine
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An open park bench in Tehran
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Benches in Kefalonia, western Greece
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Bench made with a chainsaw-cut tree trunk
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Ancient tree trunk bench from Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
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In Suffolk, England
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Bank of the Berlin court porch, 13th century
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Pews or church benches, St Paul's Cathedral, London
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Wooden bench in memory of composer Hans Roelli in skiing area of Arosa, Switzerland
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A decorative "rabbit bench" in Peyzazhna alley, Kiev, Ukraine
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Artistic bench design at Kiev Fashion Park
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Church benches in St Marylebone Parish Church.
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Traditional solid oak church pew
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