How to Build a Play Area for Children

If you have children and yard space, you can benefit from constructing a safe, fun playground. Here are some tips that should help you to build a play area for your children.

Instructions

1. 

   Use a cushioned material for the ground area.
   Build a soft floor for your play area with a thick lawn or three to four inches of sand, shredded rubber tires or other materials. Make sure any fill you use is deep enough to handle falls and safe enough that nothing will be dangerous or toxic if swallowed.

2. 

   Enclose the area for small children.
   Fencing in the play area will keep children from straying. If your attention wanders, you don't want your toddler doing the same!

3. 

   Buy fun toys and sports equipment.
   Choose well-constructed play toys and games that are safe for children and encourage climbing, clambering, jumping and other healthy physical activities. Place large toys or exercise equipment far enough away from each other that children won't bump into them while playing.

4. Offer shade
   Having a shady tree or a shade construction near a play area will help keep it cool for the summer months.

5. Consider building your play area so it is temporary.
   Time really does pass faster than we expect, so before you know it you may need to convert a toddler's play area into a more sophisticated space for growing children, then finally remove it altogether when your children grow too old to use a playground. Making fencing and flooring that can be removed will make it easy to convert the space into a lawn, sports area, garden or swimming pool in the future with minimal work and expense.

6. 

   If you can afford it, there are ready-made play constructions you can buy that create ideal places for your children to play. Some are even themed as haunted houses, boats, fairylands and more.

7. It is not difficult to build a play area for children. And it will keep kids occupied for hours having fun.

Resources

• Landscape design and gardening information