Steps to Building a Residential Playground

Building a residential playground can be an exciting family project and an excellent long-term investment. It provides a safe space for kids to play and release energy from the comfort of their homes. A playground can also be aesthetically pleasing with the proper layout, playset, and surface material.

Plan your area

Planning the location of your playground is a crucial step that sets the foundation for a safe and enjoyable play space.

Avoid choosing an area with obstructions, such as large rocks, tree roots, overhead wires, or concrete.
Choose a flat, level area. Level the ground during installation if a flat area isn't available.
Determine and measure your available space in preparation for choosing your playset.

Choose your playset

Families have endless options when picking a playset for a modern aesthetic and customization to match a child's favorite activity.

Choose a material that fits the aesthetic of your backyard (vinyl and cedar are popular).
Choose a playset that fits within your area, considering a six-foot fall zone on each side. The fall zone is the area you are covering with fall protection surfacing.
Determine the critical fall height of your playset.

Pick your non-toxic surface

Many different surface material options exist for your residential play space—some are safe, others are not. It's important to distinguish the difference by determining what the material contains and whether or not it's toxic.

Research the material makeup and fall protection for your surface options.

Fall protection with surfacing with shock absorption is the ability to reduce the impact energy that occurs when a child falls from a piece of play equipment.
Search the ingredients of the material - is it recycled? What is the source?

Choose between pea gravel, wood chips, rubber mulch, or sand.

(Tip: Parents and families are making the switch to Rainbow Mulch because it's non-toxic with premium fall protection and available in many modern colors)

Installation

The final step in creating your residential playground will ensure your kids can play safely and have fun for years to come. You've carefully selected your space, the playset, and your non-toxic surface material. Best practice is to work with an experienced installer. For DIY, there are many guides available online.

If needed, level your area to prepare for your playset.

https://mybluesquirrel.com/blogs/news/how-to-level-the-ground-for-a-new-playset

Install your playset with appropriate anchoring to ensure it stays in place.

Save the manufacturer instructions so that you can order a replacement part if needed.

Install high-quality landscape fabric in between the soil and your surface material of choice to prevent weed growth.

Use a heavy duty non-woven fabric. They are available at your local hardware store, online, or Amazon. Choose a width and length that works best for your space.

Select and install a secure border. Common borders are wood, plastic, rubber, and faux brick.

Borders are essential in containing loose fill material and they create a finished look.

Install your surfacing material.

Best practice is to rake loose-fill material regularly.

A residential playground project is successful with a clear plan for scouting out the play area, choosing the playset, and selecting a non-toxic surface. Kids can enjoy safe play on their home playground, and families can appreciate a good-looking backyard.

Note: Installation may vary based on mulch application. Rainbow Mulch provides general guidelines that are not to serve as step-by-step instructions. Details of installation is assumed to be general knowledge. We are not be held responsible for unfavorable results. ASTM fall testing is 3" depth for an 20 ft. critical fall height on 12' compacted soil. Regular raking and even distribution is needed.