Backyard Play Areas: Expert Tips for Creating a Safe and Fun Environment
During the pleasant fall weather, your kids will want to spend as much time outside as you do. Even if you work from home or spend a lot of time with them, you can't keep an eye on them every moment of the day. To keep them safe and create a backyard oasis they'll love this year and beyond, check out some of our handy tips.
1. Start with a good base
Do you want to buy a playset that lets your kids enjoy the fun they have at the playground when they're at home? Start with a good base. Mulch is one great option, but you can also go with wood chips or ordinary sand. These materials provide padding that can prevent injuries if they trip or fall. We suggest using a thick layer of around 12 inches. Put the material under the slide, jungle gym, and similar places. You'll also find safety mats that work equally well.
2. Add a barrier
Using an insecticide around your yard is a solid home safety tip that stops bugs from getting in your house and can keep them out of your yard. It's just as easy to create a barrier around your backyard playground. Landscape fabric works well as long as you put it under the equipment. You can also use products to kill the weeds and vines growing in the play area. It's easy for kids to trip over them.
3. Keep sunscreen on hand
While sunburn may not be commonly associated with the fall months, it is still a concern on bright, sunny days. Make sure you apply a nice coat of sunscreen to the kids before they head out, and reapply it a few times a day. Look for an outdoor container with a lid and keep extra bottles or sprays inside to ensure they can add more as they need it. Invest in aloe gel and other products to make treating sunburns easy.
4. Choose appropriate equipment
As much as you might love the idea of adding a huge wooden playset shaped like a pirate ship, ask yourself if you have enough room. Any play equipment you pick should fit both the available space you have and your child's age. Babies and toddlers benefit from plastic swings designed for them that keep them from flopping over. Older kids might prefer a big slide or a jungle gym they can climb across.
5. Extend the base
In addition to having a good base, try to extend it around swings. Think about all the times you jumped off a moving swing to get an idea of what your kids can do. Measure the height of the bar above the swing and double it. If the swing hangs from a bar 8 feet above the ground, extend the base to 16 feet both in front of and behind the swing. This helps kids land on a soft surface if they fall.
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