Looking for Child's Playground Plans

[aglassman]

I haven't done any Google searching yet, so figured I'd start here for suggestions.

I have a few weeks off work, and would like to build a play set for my daughter.  Ideally I'd like to start small. She's only 10 months old right now.  I'm thinking a sandbox, small swing, and prefab slide.  I've seen the prices on the prefab ones, and it's shocking! 

My grand scheme is to add on to this as our family grows, and the kid(s) get older.  It should be pretty kick ass by the time it is done.

[zolotiyeruki]

I've never searched for plans, but here's one idea:  take a trip to your local retailer that sells such playgrounds, and has them on display.  Take a notebook, and sketch out how the thing is built.  Take it home, scale it as needed, and you're off to the races.

[RootofGood]

We were pretty happy with the $100-$150 versions sold by places like walmart.  We lucked out and got a hand me down so it was free (just had to dig it up from the donor's house).  But we bought a $119 set for my in-laws so my kids could play there.  3 swings, slide, seesaw, trapeze bar.  They are fairly sturdy and way cheaper than buying any of the wooden kits.  And with lumber prices and swing/slide costs, the $119 set might end up cheaper than buying lumber and all the add ons. 

[zolotiyeruki]

We were pretty happy with the $100-$150 versions sold by places like walmart.  We lucked out and got a hand me down so it was free (just had to dig it up from the donor's house).  But we bought a $119 set for my in-laws so my kids could play there.  3 swings, slide, seesaw, trapeze bar.  They are fairly sturdy and way cheaper than buying any of the wooden kits.  And with lumber prices and swing/slide costs, the $119 set might end up cheaper than buying lumber and all the add ons.

That's a good point--look on your local Craigslist/Freecycle/Bookoo, and chances are you'll be able to pick up a set in good condition for a very good price, and maybe even for less than the cost of materials.  We bought ours from our next door neighbors who were moving for $300, and it's a pretty nice set--rock wall, slide, trapeze, climbing rope, rope ladder, three swings, etc.

I just wish our back yard was more level so it would sit straight.  It would be perfect in the front yard, but the HOA would probably complain.

[aglassman]

I think I'll forgo the Wal-Mart brand set as I wanted to try and design the plan myself.  I like the idea of just scoping out some designs, and taking notes.  I think I'll go that route, and then do some Google searching for tips on building it.  I'll keep the post updated with my progress, so stay tuned for the next few weeks.

[Greg]

Start with a roof covered sandbox with a screened cover to keep cats out, and a sun/rain shade/roof.  Later add four posts if they're not already there for the roof, to support a platform that can serve as a fort.  Add a roof up there as well.

A simple ladder and maybe a rope or pole for alternate entry/exit.  Try not to make it too specific, meaning don't try to make it a boat or a castle, let your kid do that with her imagination.

Consider getting a large diameter plastic drainpipe, say 18" diameter and 4-5 feet long.  At first it can just lay on its side, but later can become a tube slide or climbing tube.

If you forego all the safety railings etc. like I did, be prepared for your kid's friends' parents to be a little worried about it. They'll deal. We simply had a rule for my daughter's treefort, you had to be able to climb up the ladder on your own in order to allowed up there.  And a limit of 2-3 kids until they were a little older and had good balance etc.

[aglassman]

Thanks for the tips! 

[Christiana]

The play structure at our church is based around 9 tall posts in a 3x3 grid.  A series of small platforms steps up around the center post.  On the outside there are a small climbing wall, a sliding pole, a trapeze, and a slide, accessible from the platforms.   Most of the rest of the sides are closed in with rails.  It's like a big tower with fun stuff all over it.

[aglassman]

That sounds awesome!  Something unique like that would be a lot of fun to build.  I still remember some awesome "custom" playgrounds at nearby parks when I was growing up.  They've all been replaced by plastic prefab ones now.  The old ones were much more fun, and rewarded the brave.

[Thegoblinchief]

That sounds awesome!  Something unique like that would be a lot of fun to build.  I still remember some awesome "custom" playgrounds at nearby parks when I was growing up.  They've all been replaced by plastic prefab ones now.  The old ones were much more fun, and rewarded the brave.

It's a bit of a drive, but if you're looking for some crazy wood playground stuff, check out Cushing Memorial Park out in Delafield.

[frugi]

Ana White has a swing set/play house combo plan that might be worth a look:  http://ana-white.com/2010/06/how-build-swing-set-playhouse

[enigmaT120]

Did you guys use play grounds when you were kids?  I just went off and played in the desert around Madras, OR.  I wouldn't have known what to do with a play ground.  Wait:  are you going to have a jungle gym or monkey bars?  Those are good.

[aglassman]

I like the Ana White plans. I was thinking something like the play house would be cool for my daughter.  I may forgo making it look too much like a house so that they kids have to use their imaginations more (as someone above suggested).  I would like to put in some monkey bars and rope climb, but that'll be in a few years once her and any future siblings are older.

[TrMama]

We have a fairly small yard and opted for a trampoline instead. They seem to remain interesting even for older kids and it's been well worth the investment. I call it "The Hamster Wheel".

If you want to try designing your own play structure, try downloading the free version of Sketchup. It's what Ana White uses to create her designs. It's also used by the engineers at my company to make 3D models of our clients sites. It's also super fun to just play with :-)