What better way to make use of your backyard than to turn it into a playground? Having your own backyard playground will give your kids somewhere safe and fun to play, helping them get some much needed fresh air. Creating your own playground in the backyard is easier than you think, so take a look at the following tips and get started.
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Set aside a designated area
You won’t want to transform your entire backyard into a play area, as that would be expensive and costly. Setting aside an area of your yard, however, will ensure that you keep the whole play area to one location – keeping the rest of your garden free for leisure and entertaining. Choose somewhere that isn’t obscured and is free from hazards that you can keep an eye on from the house if needed. If you have pets, remember to keep them in mind too, remember to keep your backyard dog-friendly to make sure that the four-legged members of the family stay safe too.
Install the right flooring
Building swing sets and jungle gyms is a great idea, but you should remember to put safety first. Flooring is important when it comes to building a play area as it will provide a steady and secure surface to hold the equipment in place, while also being kind to children who take a tumble now and then. There are some great outdoor rubber flooring options available that are an affordable option for your home and will give your yard a neat and clean appearance. It will work well around your existing garden surfaces and can also be around pool decks or your patio.
Choose the best equipment
Here’s where the fun begins! This is where you can get creative with the kind of equipment that you put in your backyard. You could even design it yourself if you’re handy with tools and engineering! There’s some great advice available on choosing the right swing set, slides and other play equipment to help make it easy for you to make the best decision. Think about the longevity of what you’re installing in your garden – play equipment that’s only suitable for very young children will only last a couple of years and you’ll want something they can continue to use as they get older.
Remember to maintain it
Getting your backyard playground up and running is one thing, but you’ll need to make sure that you maintain it to keep everyone safe. Inspect equipment regularly and test it to make sure it can still take the weight and work properly to avoid any nasty accidents in your yard. If you’re ever in doubt, keep children away from unsafe equipment until you can give it the all-clear. Keep an eye out for rust and damage following bad weather and call in a professional if you’re ever unsure.
Creating your own backyard playground is an amazing way to make the most of your backyard space, and your children will have endless fun making the most of it. Pinterest has some excellent ideas for build-it-yourself jungle gyms to give you some inspiration. Why not turn it into a family project that everyone can get involved in?
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