Remodeling : Other : Child's Play Structure : Home & Garden Television

Build a play structure to provide a safe, convenient source of exercise for your kids.

With a little elbow grease, you can build a child's play structure that lasts for years.

Materials

Drill with drill bits, spade bits, and a Phillips driver bit
Posthole digger
Level
Chalk line
Ratchet and socket set
Shovel
Measuring tape
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw
Router with 1/2" round-over bit
Wheelbarrow
Portland cement
Sand
Swings and trapeze/ring combination
10'-long "cool wave" slide
Fireman's pole (2" x 8' steel pipe)
2" electrical conduit bracket
Eight 4" x 4" x 12' posts
2" x 4" boards
3/8" x 5" carriage bolts
2-1/2"-long #8 galvanized screws
2" x 6" boards for joists
4" x 6" beams for swing support and play-area border
Rebar spikes
Joist hangers
3" hinges
1-1/2" hardwood dowels
Landscape fabric
Pea gravel
Safety glasses
Work gloves

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Determine the size and location of your play structure, then stake out the area (figure A).

Dig four postholes for the tower of the structure, and set the posts in concrete.

After the posts are set, attach joists (sometimes referred to as outer ribbon joists, or "banding") around the outer edges with screws (figure B). Make sure the joists are level.

Permanently fasten the banding by drilling pilot holes through the joists and posts, then securing them with 3/8" by 5" carriage bolts (figure C). You may want to countersink the holes for added safety.

Use joist hangers to attach floor joists to the banding (figure D). Then use 2-1/2"-long #8 decking screws to attach 5/4" decking planks on top of the joists (figure E). Notch the planks as necessary to fit around the posts (figure F). Repeat the process to install the upper deck.

Mark out an area of the upper deck for an access hatch. Fasten boards to the underside of the upper deck to hold the hatch together, and fasten boards where the front and back of the hatch will rest. These boards will support the hatch when it's closed.

Figure G

Cut out an opening for the access hatch, using a circular saw and a reciprocating saw (figure G). Sand to remove any sharp edges or splinters.

Fasten the access hatch door, using 3" hinges.

Install two posts in line with the tower posts to serve as supports for the swing . The posts should be about 15' from the tower. Set the posts in concrete.

Cut 2" by 4" rungs/support braces to the appropriate length to fit between the swing support posts. Use a router and a 1/2" round-over bit to round the edges of the rungs. Use 2-1/2"-long #8 galvanized screws to attach the rungs to the posts so they're 14" apart.

For the top rung, sandwich the post between two 2" by 6" boards, and secure the boards with carriage bolts.

Figure H

Figure I

Rest the 4" by 6" swing support beam on the top 2" by 6" boards, and secure the other end to the top deck of the tower with 3/8" carriage bolts (figure H).

Snap a chalk line on the ends of the deck planks, and use a circular saw to saw them flush (figure I).

Figure J

Assemble the ladder that extends from the outside to the first deck. Use 2" by 4" by 6' boards for the rails and 2" by 4" by 2' boards for the rungs. Attach the rungs so that there's a 14" gap between the top of one rung and the bottom of the next. You may want to rout the rungs' edges with a 1/2" round-over bit for extra smoothness. Drill pilot holes, double-check for square, and attach the rungs with galvanized screws (figure J).

Attach the ladder to the tower by toenailing it with deck screws.

Figure K

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

Figure O

Assemble the ladder for the upper deck in the same manner, and attach it to the upper deck (figure K). Secure the bottom of the upper ladder from underneath the lower deck (figure L).

Install rails around the upper and lower decks. Cut the rails at a height (generally 36") that will accommodate the children playing on the structure.

Install the outer rails, attaching them to the support posts (figure M). Attach the slats to the outside of the rails. If your structure includes a "fireman's pole ," you won't attach a rail to the back.

Build a 6' square sandbox, using 2" by 12" by 6' boards to frame it. Then attach the sliding board so that it lands in the sandbox.

Set two 4" by 4" posts at the desired distance to support the monkey bars (figure N). Use fast-setting concrete to secure the posts.

Build monkey bars using 1-1/2" hardwood dowels set in 2" by 8" supports. The bars should be 12" apart. Set them in place after drilling 1-1/2" holes into the supports with a spade bit. Secure the dowels by drilling pilot holes and screwing long screws through their sides from the top of the supports (figure O).

Attach the monkey bars to the tower. Attach 2" by 4" boards to the 4" by 4" posts to serve as rungs and provide additional support.

Attach the accessories to the play structure with extra-heavy-duty hangers, which are both strong and quiet. All accessories should be strong, safe and durable.

* One accessory you might consider is a combination trapeze/ring bar, which uses coated "ouchless" chain.

Figure P

Figure Q

Figure R

* A belted swing seat (figure P) allows the chain to run all the way through the seat for extra security; just be sure the seat has enough padding to make it comfortable.

Consider installing a 10'-long "cool wave" slide (figure Q) from the lower deck into the sandbox. The slide is made of a plastic composite that doesn't get overly hot when exposed to direct sunlight . Secure it to the lower deck with screws and washers, and attach support legs to the middle section of the slide to prevent it from sagging.

A fireman's pole is another nice accessory that provides quick access from the lower deck to the sandbox . Attach a 2" by 6" board to the tower at the appropriate height to support the pole . Then hold the pole in place, and secure it with a conduit bracket (figure R).

Secure heavy-duty S-hooks to the 4" by 6" beam with 3/8" carriage bolts. Secure the hook for the ring/trapeze combination with galvanized deck screws, and attach nylon bushing hangers to hang the trapeze.

Place 4" by 6" pressure-treated beams around the play structure to serve as borders . For added stability, drill holes through the beams, and secure them by driving 18 " rebar spikes through them.

Lay landscape fabric over the entire play area, and spread pea gravel over the top.

Resources
Competitor swing set
swing set, wooden play structure
Swing N' Slide Inc.
1212 Barberri Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
Toll-free: 800-888-1232
Fax: 800-755-7567
Email: cs@swing-n-slide.com
Website: www.swing-n-slide.com

Also in this Episode

Fix It Up! : Episode FIX-319
•	Child's Play Structure
•	Window Tip

Remodeling

Child's Play Structure

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Remodeling

Child's Play Structure

Tools

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