Outdoor Play Areas Made Simple

Play equipment for kids in a backyard in Tokyo, Japan – Photo Courtesy: Toshihiro Oimatsu

 

If you are fortunate enough to have a decent sized garden, you may be thinking about adding some entertainment features for your children. It is so important for them to have a space to let loose and have some good healthy fun.

This article looks at a few suggestions that may help you to design a safe play area that your kids will love!

 

Make A List

 

All great creations begin with a piece of paper and a pen, and this is no exception. You should write down exactly what it is that you want to include in your play area. Your kids will be the source for this vital information; do not buy and install a piece of equipment without their approval!

Your kids’ age will be an important factor in these choices, because a skateboard ramp will be cool for teenagers, but not so great for your four year old toddler.

 

Costs

 

You should think about what funds are available to you before asking for your kids to go out and choose their constructions. There can be nothing worse than trying to explain to a teary eyed eight year old that they can’t have that jungle gym you promised them last week. You can still have a great amusement area if you plan wisely.

 

Photo Courtesy: Images Money

 

Space

 

 

The size of your garden will dictate what type of equipment you can install. Do not try and pack as many items as you can in a small space; they will be dangerous and your garden will look silly. Calculate the size of the chosen items and see if they will fit comfortably into your available space. You can experiment with the arrangements until you are happy with the overall positions. You should always bear the safety factor in mind – like not having a slide situated right next to a swing area.

 

Pathway

 

Try to construct a pathway that allows your kids to walk around the equipment without any potential accidents. Try and construct the site in a part of your garden that offers some cool shade during the day.

 

Rubber Flooring

 

Don’t you wish you were having fun like these little girls on a swing? Notice the protective rubber sheet below them – as essential addition to a play area to prevent injuries to kids. Photo Courtesy: Jennie Rainsford

This is an absolute must when it comes to the safety factor because your kids will fall off the bars at some point and concrete is not a good place to land. The rubber sheeting is not cheap and needs to be high quality; factor this into your budget before choosing that expensive set of monkey bars.

 

Maintenance

 

 

Once your garden play area has been built, you will need to supervise the activities, especially if the kids are less than ten years old. You should check the equipment regularly for any loose fittings or sharp edges. They are generally very soundly built, but your kids will put the equipment through some punishing treatment.

 

Professionals

 

 

If you are not really that confident with putting the play area equipment together on your own, you can order the flatpack option online and usually the supplier will come and assemble the lot for you. You can also ask them for some opinions of what items to buy according to your garden space.

 

Daniella Osborn works as a full-time Nurse at the City Hospital and is a dedicated care-giver. She loves to cook for family and friends on weekends when she is not at work. Daniella has recently become the proud owner of a flat pack kitchen which she finds extremely helpful in executing all her culinary endeavors.