Kids love going to the playground. It gives them a chance to run free, swoosh down the kids slide and fly through the air on the swings, but with the pandemic still hanging over our heads, a lot of public and school playgrounds aren’t fully operational yet. But why let that stop you? You can always have a go at making your own garden playground set.
These top 10 tips and ideas will help you transform your garden into a DIY adventure playground your children will love to run shout and play in…
DIY Playground planning tips
Before you head on out and buy all your garden swings and slides and other kit, there is plenty of planning to be done. You need to measure up, check the terrain and calculate your costs too. It’s a pretty big project, so here are a few answers to the most common questions about garden play areas:
- How can I make my backyard more fun?
Adding a kids swing and slide set is a quick and affordable way to inject some fun into your garden. We would not recommend building one yourself though, buy the parts and install them using the manufacturer guidelines instead.
- How do I make my backyard into a playground?
First up, measure the space you are going to have the equipment and see what pieces will fit and where. Next, prep the area by flattening where needed and maybe even installing some quality play area ground cover. Finally, install and lay out all your kit. Here is one man’s guide through his backyard park project for some more ideas.
- How do I choose an outdoor playset?
The issue for most people is size and space. Is there enough room for the equipment you want to put in place? Will it take over your garden? And other things like:
- How old is your child?
- Are they very active?
- Do they have any physical issues?
Choose a playset that is right for your child – they will be the ones using it, so why not make it bespoke for them? Pinterest has loads of fun ideas that you can personalise for your kids.
- What is the best ground cover for a playground?
There are a lot of different kinds of flooring and ground cover to choose from for a home playground, from pea gravel to mulch, rubber tiles and more. The one you use depends on how you would like it to look. If you want a defined play area, go for a safe rubber floor. If you prefer it semi-natural looking, try mulch or woodchips.
The only thing we would recommend is you put a border around the play area to keep any loose mulch, stones or sand where you want it. And invest in a good weed control layer underneath to keep the pests at bay.
- Can you put a playground on grass?
The grass is a good option for a home playground as it blends into the area pace better and there is less chance of stray wood chips or stones flying around.
The downsides are it can be high maintenance. You need to mow it and find a way to level it for safety. This could involve pulling up the turf and then relaying it, which could lengthen the project timeline. Grass can also be a bit unsafe when wet and can be slippy.
- Is a backyard playset worth it?
That question only you can answer. You have to consider the cost, your children’s ages, the effect on your home and if you are planning on moving in the next few years. On the other hand, there is your child’s happiness, as well as their mental and physical health which has no doubt taken a knock during the pandemic. The best you can do it look at the pros and cons and go with your gut.
Alternative toys and equipment tips
Your garden play area doesn’t have to be a simple swing and slide – you could revamp it into a DIY adventure playground instead. Some retailers stock a range of playground parts and accessories specially made for you to install where you want. So, here are a few fun ideas for different kit:
- Add a climbing wall or climbing net
You can get the climbing stones and nets from any good equipment store, then you need to make sure where you are placing them is stable and secure to the ground. On the side of your house would work. Or up the trunk of a tree! You can put them as high or low as you like, and they are easy to reposition as your kids grow too.
- Create a mini basketball or netball hoop
These are great for kids of all ages and encourage teamwork and competition too.
- Include a zip line of fun
If you have a long enough garden, you can keep them occupied for hours with a zip line. What is great about these is they don’t take up a lot of room and everyone wants a go. Remember to get a harness if you have young kids and are worried about them falling.
- Get acrobatic with gym rings
Similar to monkey bars, these rubber-coated rings hang down so kids have a gymnastical way to play in the garden. They often come with adjustable ropes too and are good for all age groups.
Don’t let the closed playground and pandemic stop your children playing on the kids slide, plan, design and make your garden play area or DIY adventure playground. It’s fun for all, it’s a great workout and it’ll keep your kids happy for many years to come.
