Having to accompany your children during constant outdoor activities can be tiresome. By building a playground in your garden, your little ones can get plenty of exercise and outdoor time while you focus on your daily activities. Know more about how to build a playground in the UK.

Budget

Your budget may vary depending on the location of your playground. A school playground, for example, will need to be resistant to support more children. In this situation, there should be more attention to security and the quality of materials. The cost of building a school playground is also considerably higher than a garden one, ranging between 130.000£ to 300.000£, according to the playground building company Creo. The price can be shocking, but there’s a reason for it. Your budget for building a school playground should cover the design, establishment, demolitions, supply, installation, landscaping, surfacing, shading, and management.

Building a school playground or in any area that’ll support multiple children will require the attention of a specialized team, which skyrockets the price. In comparison, you can build a nice playground in your garden for approximately 1800£ minimum, which includes ground leveling, grass, sand, tarmac, rubber matting, gravel board edging, and edging stakes. The price can be lower if you have experience on how to prepare the ground terrain yourself.

Playground equipment

The playground equipment you’ll need can vary drastically depending on how much space you have, how many children will be using the equipment, and their ages. You can also opt to start your projects with simpler playground installation and improve over time. You can discuss the options with your children and make your decision based on which projects they’re most excited about. You can build a small sandbox for your toddlers for a very inexpensive price, and also install a swing tire if you have a tree in your garden, there are interesting options when starting simple. More elaborate ideas can include a garden room for gaming or studying, and also installations with big slides. If you require inspiration, take the time to look at a few ideas on how to create a pleasant recreational space for your children through YouTube and similar platforms.

Roofing

Installing good roofing can be beneficial to the durability of certain structures in your garden playground. Projects like a garden house benefit the most from it since a good roofing membrane and isolation can help prevent leaks and improve the ventilation of your home. Also consider applying a white roof technique in the structures you’re building, since white roofs are environmentally friendly and can help reduce some of the thermal damage the roof suffers. It’s also linked to heat absorption, potentially reducing the likelihood your children will get burns during summer. Get in touch with trustworthy roofing suppliers to learn more about these benefits.

Electrical installation

Electrical installations aren’t necessary for a playground but should be considered for more intricate projects. You may want to install something simple like a light pole, so the children can safely play during the night. It’s also required for garden rooms, since electrical energy is a must for lighting, proper ventilation, and installing an air conditioning unit, depending on the climate.

Hiring extra help

You don’t need to do all the work by yourself. If you feel that you need extra help, consider hiring a handyman. In the UK, such services vary between 20-30£. Be precise when negotiating. If the handyman says the project will take days, it’s possible that it will consume a nice chunk of your budget. If you can’t afford extra help during all the construction phases, then look for do-it-yourself tutorials online, you can also buy a manual. If even after learning about how to proceed, you’re having difficulties, consider hiring the handyman to help you with the steps you consider harder. It won’t be beneficial to waste too much time on a task that you’re unsure of what to do.

You may also need the help of a landscaper before starting. If you feel that the terrain you choose to install the equipment on may not be the most adequate, you should hire this professional to have a look and help with preparing the environment. Landscaping may also require you to clear the terrain of tree roots, debris, and rocks and get it ready to be compacted. A landscape gardener can cost you approximately 280£ per day. A moderate playset usually takes around a day or two to be completed.

Garden room

Garden rooms can be a jack of all trades depending on your needs. Unlike playground equipment, a garden room can easily be transformed as your children age. You can build it as a safe space for your child to play during their early age. For younger children, consider buying plenty of pillows and stuffed animals to keep them safe and entertained. As they age, you can add new elements, such as plastic toys, books, video games, and others. It’s also a good space for adults, garden room can be a quiet place to work, study and read.

Depending on the size of the garden room, it can also become a gym, gaming room, or bar. There are multiple options to choose from. A nice idea, when unsure of what to build, is to split your initial budget between a playground and a garden room. A room with glass walls can also be great for you to look after your children while they play in the playground.

Crunching the numbers

Depending on your approach, the cost of building your playground can vary massively. With a budget of approximately 1800£, you can create a decent playground with a swing, sandbox, and more. Approaching such projects with a tight budget requires determination, since you may have to do most of the work in order to stay on budget. If you’re willing to stretch it out a bit, you can hire the help of a handyman and/or a landscaper for a day to help with the installation. If your budget is considerably higher, then it’s possible to order a custom build play set starting at approximately 5000£.

If there’s woodwork to be done, you may also require the help of a carpenter, which costs around 25£ in the UK. An extra tip that may relieve your budget is to get multiple quotes before starting. Depending on the store you’re hiring, you may find cheaper playsets equal to or similar to the one you have your eyes on. Also, ask if the store provides any help with the installation in the form of a discount in case you choose to buy from them. Consider looking for options online as well, if you’re lucky, you may find even more options at better prices.

Conclusion

There are multiple approaches someone can take when creating a playground for children. If you’re planning to build in your garden, there’s even more freedom of choice. Another perk of a such project is that you don’t need a big budget to start, and you can also split each phase over multiple months or years. Building a decent playground not only is a great gift for your children, but also a nice way for them to exercise, spend their extra energy, and play with their friends.