Playgrounds and Play Centers
Warm weather is a call for all kids to get outside and play on swings, jungle gyms, monkey bars-- you name it. Active kids love to push boundaries and test their limits. Playgrounds are a great place to do so. However, for parents and supervising adults, there is always a concern for safety, which when buying playgrounds and play sets for outdoor is a crucial concern. By considering all potential aspects of how safe a product will be for the kids planning to use it, you can be sure that playgrounds can be fun and safe at the same time. In order to help you keep the special kid(s) in your life far from harm's way, this guide will discuss the features that are most important to look at when buying playgrounds, and how to decide which size, shape, and style to get.
Safety First
First and foremost, there is no better method of injury prevention than adult supervision. For kids under eight years old, it is always a good idea to keep a very close watch on what they are up to when using playgrounds and jungle gyms. Of course, every child is different and their strength, coordination, balance, and self-awareness develop at varying rates. Use good judgment to determine when and if a child is "old enough" to use home playgrounds by themselves. Another important thing to remember is that by teaching a child at a young age what to do and not to do is crucial to his or her future safety.
Equipment Construction
Play centers, swing sets, and jungle gyms are usually made of wood, plastic, or metal. Each type of material has its benefits and drawbacks, most of which will be the deciding factors in which type of play set to buy. Here is a summary of what each type offers.
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Metal Swing Sets - Metal is lightweight, easy to move, and usually inexpensive. However, it bends easily.
- Best for smaller kids since usually the swings don't go very high, nor are any ladders or any climbing apparatus far from the ground.
- They have a tendency to tip, so they need to be securely anchored to the ground.
- Because they are painted, they can chip, and paint is a hazard to small children.
- Aesthetically, because metal rusts, it is not a great lawn accessory.
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Plastic Play Centers
- Lightweight, but often much more stable than metal play sets.
- Larger or smaller depending on the age you are buying for.
- This type of play set can have more parts, including swings, ladders, and hide outs.
- Very durable and safe for kids.
- No splinters, paint chips, rusting or discoloration.
- The edges tend to be rounded, meaning that there are less chances to get cuts or scrapes.
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Wood Play Centers and Swing Sets - Very stable, strong, and reasonably resistant to weathering. The only downfall is wood's susceptibility to rotting. Pressure treated wood is the most durable.
- The heavy-duty construction means that these play centers aren't going anywhere.
- Strong enough for big kids-- even grownups.
- These are the biggest and most versatile type of play set. They can have slides, swings, huge hide-outs, monkey bars, and ladders.
- Splinters are a potential hazard.
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Be Aware of These Features
On Swings - Make sure to get swings that feature rubberized metal chains. They won't pinch like a metal chain, and won't rip, fray, or fade like a rope.
- The best seats should be lightweight. Heavy ones can injure a child if his or her head gets hit by it.
- Rubber sling seats are not heavy and they conform perfectly to a child of any size. They are the kind used in public parks and make the safest and most durable type of swing seat for home use.
- Beware of swings that are set too close together. It can cause kids to run into each other while swinging.
On Slides - Stability and strength are key features.
- Make sure that the slide has guard rails to prevent falling off the slide. Otherwise, look for scooped slides that are more circular than flat.
- Look for wide rungs that are easy to climb.
- Choose height accordingly. Little children should have shorter slides so as not to injure themselves from falling. Plus, it is easier to climb a shorter slide with rungs that are less spaced apart.
On Play Centers - Always make sure that there are guardrails on any platform elevated above 2.5 ft.
- Guardrails must be spaced at least 3.5 in apart to ensure that heads won't get stuck between the bars.
- Angled safety ladders are easier and safer to climb, plus the rungs are usually steps, which leave less possibility for slipping.
- Vinyl coated rungs on monkey bars won't burn sensitive hands.
Surrounding Area - Any play area should have a shock absorbing, cushioning floor. Note that grass is not cushioning as it is simply covering very hard dirt.
- Wood chips, sand and pea gravel are good materials to lay around the play center area. Make sure that if you are enclosing it (with a wooden barrier, for example) that you distance the boundary far enough from the play area. Kids jumping off swings or flying of slides can hit the border and injure themselves.
Top Manufacturers
One of the best makers that are accessible on the Web is called Rainbow Play. They allow you to customize your play center to your liking and budget. They are quite phenomenal looking, wooden play systems of high quality. Other makers that you can shop for through ShopWiki are the following:
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