DIY Projects for Playgrounds

Spring is finally here, and the kids are feeling cooped up after a long winter and even longer lockdown. If you’re developing the itch to get out and be handy and creative as well, may we suggest working on a play area for your kids? With a few upcycled parts and pieces, you can ensure months of fun times, fresh air, and active bodies. Consider these DIY projects for playgrounds you can build in your backyard, and let the kids pitch in where they can while you work on them!

Tire Them Out!

When you have your car tires replaced do you know what happens to them? At best they’ll be recycled into mats or safety filler for playgrounds. Usually, they’re simply discarded and left to rot in landfills—a process that can take 50 to 80 years. Ask for your old tires back and turn them into a fun part of your backyard playground. First, clean them thoroughly and paint them in bright colors. Create an obstacle course. Attach them to a wide, inclined wood plank and build a climbing wall. Create a rubberized version of monkey bars, or just hang the ever-popular tire swing from the tree out back. The possibilities are endless.

You Can’t Beat Drums!

Large, 55-gallon drums and barrels have endless playtime possibilities. First, pick up a new, unused drum, since you may not know where a previously used drum came from or what it contained before. Search online for plans for any number of projects including slides, swings, and tunnels. With a few pieces of wood, a halved barrel could be turned into a raised sandbox, water play spot, or both! Get the kids involved by having them paint and otherwise decorate the exterior.

Never Board

Do you have some extra lumber laying around after a big project and an area in the backyard serving no immediate purpose? Ponder the possibilities of a playset or clubhouse. So many plans are available online, and honestly, you don’t need to make an architecturally accurate house (just make sure it’s safe). Kids are just as happy with a raised wood platform surrounded by a simple frame structure. Make sure the frame is secure so kids can climb or hang blankets off the sides for privacy. The nice part is that the simpler the structure, the more modifications you can make in the future. You could add a ladder or slide, install walls and or new addition, add another play area, and more.

Wall To Wall

When deciding on DIY projects for playgrounds, try incorporating different structures and objects in your kids’ play. For example, do you have an unused shed or wall of the garage wall? Give the kids a place to climb by attaching a rock-climbing kit to it. You can also encourage their creative impulses by adding a large chalk board or wipe board on which they can doodle. Look around for other playtime opportunities and ask the kids if they have any ideas themselves.