Fall is in full swing, and your kids want to get outside and play before the cold weather hits! Purchasing your own playground set may seem like a good and fun idea, but are you asking yourself the right questions to make sure you make the right purchase for your yard and your family? Maybe you moved into a new home with young kids, or simply want to dedicate a space in your garden or yard for a playground. Whatever your reasons may be, you will need to ask yourself five important questions before making that purchase. These questions include all equipment involved, correct measurements, spatial and safety considerations, and other issues.

Will it fit our space?
Be realistic and practical about where you will be putting what (even if you have fantasies of a play space in your home that rivals the grandeur of a theme park). You will need to tailor your playset to the size of your yard or any location you plan to put up a playground. Take measurements before buying equipment, and allow some room to change or expand things as your children grow. You will need a cleared area that extends six feet from all sides of your playground. Swings need cleared space at least twice the height of their beams.

Even if you don’t have much space, innovation and creativity can be your tools. Remember the days when a rubber tire on ropes tied to a tree branch was enough to keep kids happy in the spring and summer? 

Is it age-appropriate?
Playground equipment fall under three age groups: “toddlers” (6 months-2 years), “preschool” (2 years-5 years), and “school age” (5 years-12 years). Playground manufacturers are supposed to design their sets and equipment with these groups’ physical, intellectual, and social skills in mind. Doing this prevents potential injuries resulting from kids playing on equipment not meant for their age group.

Consult manufacturers’ guides for the correct age group. Toddler sets typically include full bucket seat swings, spring rockers. single-file step ladders, ramps, and climbing equipment that are no more than 32 inches high. Preschoolers can have merry-go-rounds, full bucket seat swings, rung ladders, and horizontal ladders less than or equal to 60 inches high for kids 4 and 5 years old. School-age kids can have horizontal, rung, and step ladders, overhead rings, fulcrum seesaws, arch climbers, and more. 

Has it passed safety standards?
Perhaps the most important consideration you have to make regards safety and durability. Aside from choosing age-appropriate equipment, you should carefully look into the manufacturer’s background – check if any of their products have been recalled or deemed substandard by the ASTM, CPSC, and other product safety experts. The CPSC has a safety education page on their official website that gives alerts, guidance, information, and the latest news on playground safety, so that’s a good place to start.

Will it protect my kids from injuries?
As previously mentioned, consulting safety experts is a good idea before making a playground purchase. Aside from the equipment, you will need to invest in proper surfacing material that acts as a cushion for potential falls and spills. Recycled Rubber Mulchis a good option because it offers the best shock absorbency, as well as the least maintenance, among all playground surfacing materials.