Letting children go and play outside is a key factor in their physical, mental, and social development. But the dangers of the outside world are inevitable, especially at a young age. They are still careless about the things that could possibly harm them. A solution to this problem is by constructing a piece of outdoor play equipment. However, it can be intimidating doing this on your own, considering it is a large-scale project. However, with utmost patience, dedication, and consideration of the steps in this tutorial on how to make outdoor play equipment, you are sure to make the best outdoor play equipment for your children.
Steps on How to Make Outdoor Play Equipment
Playground kit
From slides to sandboxes, outdoor play equipment has a wide variety. We recommend that you buy a playground kit to make it easier to start your project and pick the specific type of outdoor play equipment you want to build. If you really want to invest and have extra funds, it is smart to buy a playground kit.
Materials
The first thing you have to know how to make outdoor play equipment is to gather your materials. What you’ll need are the following:
- 8 feet-long landscape timbers (the number depends on the size of your playground)
- framing square
- 7” galvanized pole barn nails
- 5” exterior wood screws
- cordless drill, weed barrier
- DIY background playground material
Choosing your site
In choosing your location, try to pick a flat site where you can easily start to work on your project. If your place has a lot of bumps and uneven land, try to level it out since the children’s safety is at stake here. It will be much easier for you to work on a location in which you can have no problem to maneuver unto. Once you have chosen your site, you can now finalize how much material you’ll need for the playground.
Position your playset
The next thing you have to do is to build your playset in the location you have chosen. We recommend assembling your chosen playset on the location itself and not doing it before you have chosen a location. If this is what you’ll do, you’ll have a hard time moving the whole playset.
Layout the Ground Contact Timbers
After you have placed your playset, what you have to do next is to get the ground layer of timbers in its place to establish the perimeter of the playground. Make sure that you are satisfied with the position and size of your playground because you can’t change this later on. After this, start hammering in your 7” pole barns unto the timbers to prevent the bottom layer from moving and stop shifting the ground.
Building the Walls
The next step on how to make outdoor play equipment is to build up the walls. In this step, it’s up to you if you want to pinch in the weed barrier between the timbers in order to make it more secure. If you want the quick and easy way, just start driving in 3-5” screws in each timber, placing one at the end and one in the center. Just keep in mind to stagger the timbers so that no timber lays completely on the timber below. Cut excess timber as necessary.
Layout the Weed Barrier
In this step, just simply roll out the weed barriers row by row to cover the ground completely. Using a utility knife, cut out excess parts in each row to make the correct length. Do as many slits that are necessary to have an accurate fit on the playset or other obstruction in your way.
Fill in the Playground
Now that you have finished your DIY backyard playground, the next thing you have to do is fill it in with the ground covering you have chosen; may it be rubber mats or chipped wood. If you have a tractor, it will help place the material into your playground.
Trimming the Weed Barrier
The last step in learning how to make outdoor play equipment is to trim the weed barriers. If any weed barriers are showing inside or outside the playground, use a utility knife to cut these to make your DIY backyard playground more appealing and tidier.
Conclusion
Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge on how to make outdoor play equipment, try these steps and make your own at your household. By doing this project, you will have a place where your children can have fun while keeping them safe. Watching your little ones play and tire themselves for hours will make all the efforts that you have put in, worth it. Get more tips on play pens.