A drop test apparatus (10) for testing the resiliency of playground surfaces (12) includes a drop module (14) and a release mechanism (16) for holding the drop module (14) at an elevated reference height and releasing the drop module (14) to fall to the surface (12). Vertically-extending guide elements (18) guide and maintain the drop module (14) in a constant attitude from release until surface (12) impact. A support structure (24) extends between the guide element's upper (20) and lower (22) ends and holds the guide element (18) in a generally vertical orientation above the surface (12). Both the guide element (18) and support structure (24) comprise a plurality of interconnecting collapsible and disassemblable parts allowing a single person to rapidly convert the support structure (24) and the guide element (18) between the operational surface-testing configuration and a compact configuration for convenient transport.
