DIY Backyard Playground: Essential Tips When Creating A Park for Kids

Many parents have considered creating a backyard playground. It offers children the opportunity to play at any time, without the hassle of taking them to the local park. In addition, you can provide the equipment that your child loves and, because you’ve installed and maintained it, you know it is always safe. 

Of course, you have to create the park for kids first!

Planning

Planning is twofold. On the one hand, you need to think about what equipment you would like to include. But, on the other, you need to look at your yard and decide how much space you are able to dedicate to a backyard playground. 

It’s best to start with the yard and decide where the park will go and how much space you have. You can then make your wish list of equipment and see how much can be fitted into the space. 

Once you’ve reconciled these two items you need to draw the plan to scale. This ensures you know where everything is going and the space around each item.

Floor It

You’re now going to need to invest in the best playground soft floor possible. You’ll find rubber flooring is the best as it looks great, is surprisingly easy to lay, and it is fantastic at absorbing impacts. That means it will greatly reduce the likelihood of your child being injured while playing. 

You can buy rubber playground flooring and lay it yourself or you can get the professionals to do it for you 

Laying it yourself means digging the area out to create enough space for a layer of sand and the rubber flooring material. The manufacturer can tell you the thickness of your flooring. 

Once you’ve dug the area, you will need to compact it to ensure it is as level as possible. You can then lay sand over the top and compact this, giving you a solid and even base for your rubber flooring. 

Installing Your Park Equipment

Before you start, use your original plan to draw chalk outlines on your new rubber flooring. This will allow you to position all the equipment and verify there is enough room around each piece. Once you’re happy with this you’ll need to put the equipment together. 

It’s worth noting that pre-manufactured equipment will come with instructions, telling you how they should be fastened to the floor. Make sure you follow the instructions. 

Of course, if you prefer you can make your own equipment. This is generally time-consuming but does allow you to make any size and shape of playground toys you want. It’s especially good if you’re creating a wooden structure to play inside. 

Testing

To finish, you’ll need to test the equipment. You probably won’t want your children to use it before it’s been tested. Check the weight limit for the equipment and, if possible, check it yourself. If not, you’ll have to find a willing volunteer and move around the playground with them, ensuring everything is solid and safe.