A corner of happiness for a child - a creative playground
With the arrival of heat, the dacha becomes the most popular place to stay for most Russians. Someone goes there to work, taking care of the garden and greenhouses for hours, someone wants to take a break from the bustle of the city in the fresh air. For those who have children, the issue of the child's leisure is very acute, since the child can quickly get bored without a portion of entertainment.
An outdoor playground can easily solve the problem. In this article, we'll share some interesting ideas for such entertainment areas and how they change depending on the age of the child.
Criteria for choosing a gaming complex
- the presence of a free territory that can be allocated for a gaming complex;
- age and preferences of children;
- financial cost limit.
The rich choice of options can be confusing, so immediately weed out the unnecessary ones, based on the three criteria given.
Age and interests of the child
Since their preferences in games will directly depend on the age of children, this criterion should be discussed in more detail:
- Children under 5 years of age do not need extensive structures. Build a sandpit for them with an awning to protect them from the sun, as well as a small swing with a slide.
- Boys and girls (6-7 years old) of preschool age love to climb a lot, so the play area for them should be equipped with various sports equipment, inclined boards with ropes or grooves like a climbing wall.
- Children under 12 already develop thematic interests (for example, when watching cartoons or playing computer). Some have an interesting space theme, others want their own pirate ship. Depending on the preferences of the child, you can order one or another ready-made solution.
- In adolescence, emphasis should be placed on physical development. A horizontal bar, a rope, the simplest simulators and a wall bars are some examples for filling the playground.
All equipment must be designed for the weight of an adult so that you can play with children and help them do sports.
For those whose family is extensive, and the age of the household is completely different, the optimal solution would be to install a combined playground for summer cottageswhich will meet the needs of both toddlers and adolescents. If you order a ready-made modular structure, then its elements can be replaced and improved in the future.
Choosing a place for the playground
The level of comfort and safety during the game will depend on how correctly the place is chosen. There are several important points to consider when planning a structure.
Firstly, it must be sufficiently removed from any utilities, greenhouses, sheds, thorny plants and greenhouses. If the complex is near the fence or wall of the main house, it is necessary to provide enough free space for swinging the swing.
Between the reservoir (pond, fountain, pool) and the site must be a fence or hedge. The playing area itself should be clearly visible from key points of the site.
Do not locate the play area on slopes, in lowlands, ravines, or where groundwater flows. Otherwise, it will always be damp there, and the zone will practically not dry out after rain.
It is best to build the complex on a flat surface so that the tree branches cast a small shadow. Ideally, half of the structure should be in the sun and the other half protected by a canopy or leaf shade.
Safety first
When creating a project for a future site, make sure that there is enough free space around all the shells. There should be space in front of the stairs for acceleration, and the slide should be at least 2 m long for preschoolers and 3.5 m for older children.
All elements must be sanded and sanded. Check them for sharp corners and edges to eliminate the possibility of injury. The foundations of the swing should not be simply buried in the ground. They need to be concreted.
Think about the type of coverage. It should be soft enough to minimize the pain of falls, slip, and be environmentally friendly. Turf is a versatile option, however, it is slippery after rain and you need to wait before resuming play.
The second natural material is sand. It is soft and inexpensive, but in terms of cleaning it is significantly inferior to the lawn. Grains of sand will scatter around the site, so you will have to monitor the cleanliness much more often.
Rubber tiles and plastic are durable and reliable options that are easy to install and easy to maintain.
Consider the design and safety of the structure before getting to work. Then your child will be satisfied and happy, and you will be calm about his health and leisure.