A playset can transform your backyard into a children’s haven throughout the warmer months of the year. Whether you want to install swings, slides, clubhouses, or climbing gear, you need the right building materials and designs before you start working. Here are a few tips for building a playset to ensure optimal fun and safety. 

4 Tips for Building a Backyard Play Structure 

1. Consider Surfacing

Grass might seem like sufficient surfacing under a playset, but it isn’t ideal, especially in foul weather, when it can become slippery and pose a tripping hazard. Generally, playground mulch, installed at least a few inches thick, is less slippery when wet, provides shock absorbency for falls, and naturally limits weed growth in the area. However, pour-in-place rubber surfacing is also slip-resistant, shock-absorbent, and low-maintenance. 

2. Choose Quality Building Materials 

The materials you use for the playset can decide how safe it becomes. Cedar, for example, is attractive, durable, and pest-resistant. It’s also less heat-absorbent than metal, making it a safer choice for summer play. However, metal is less expensive and may last longer than wood, but it's also prone to corrosion and can overheat on hot days. Whether wood or metal, invest in high-quality building materials to prevent safety hazards due to instability, splinters, rust, and other flaws. 

3. Provide Multiple Play Options 

Even if you have limited space, there should be room to incorporate multiple play options. Most playsets include a swing set, but a tire swing and slide are also compact options that provide hours of entertainment. For the swings, you should be able to raise and lower them for different ages. If you have the space, climbing features, like a jungle gym or small climbing wall, are great additions that provide strength-building exercise. You could also build a sandbox for young children and include a “secret spot,” such as a treehouse or fort. 

4. Follow Safety Regulations 

A playset has to follow regulations for the safety of children. The ground should be level, with at least 6 feet of surfacing in every direction around the playset to prevent trips and cushion falls. You’ll also want to space swings at least 22 inches apart to prevent kids from bumping into one another and at least 30 inches from the set’s frame to avoid tangling and collisions. Additionally, there should be several feet of space in front of and behind swings for other children to walk, as well. 

If you’re building a play structure for your Cincinnati area home, turn to Huber Lumber for quality building materials. With more than 110 years of combined experience, this team of building services professionals is one of the community’s most respected suppliers. From lumber to doors and siding material, they carry everything you need for your home construction and improvement projects. Call (513) 731-4035 to speak with a friendly staff member, or visit the website to learn more about the business.