Play is essential to children’s growth and learning. It also creates the ideal opportunity to nurture the bond between you and your kids and spend quality time with your family.
Activities encouraging children to play contribute to their social, emotional and psychological development. The daily recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for children and adolescents is 60 minutes. In the United States, less than half of children between 6 and 11 years old reach this goal.
Play areas at home are crucial for promoting healthy development in children. The playground surface material you choose is essential for encouraging play and safeguarding your children’s well-being.
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5 Playground Flooring Ideas
These five backyard playground flooring ideas can help you design a functional outdoor space.
1. Classic Green Playground
A classic green playground is the perfect complement to any architecture and playground equipment. To enhance your outdoor spaces, look for a flooring material, like turf, that matches the softness and color of natural grass. Turf stays green year-round, making it a perfect choice for a home or commercial play area.
2. Playful Patterns
Using a variety of colors adds a unique visual element to your backyard. Create interactive play experiences that promote imagination and physical activity in your children. Turf comes in multiple colors — use it to create hopscotch tiles, game boards or race tracks directly on the playground’s flooring.
3. Landscaped With Play Zones
Create a fun and visually appealing transition from one play to another using diverse types of turf. A polished design organizes play spaces into designated areas for different activities. Integrate turf with swing sets, climbing frames or sandpits for a cohesive look throughout your backyard.
4. Multi-Sport Field
A multi-sport field is a great option for sports fans and families with athlete children. Turf is specifically designed for a variety of sports activities. It is resilient and withstands heavy sports equipment and use. Making it an ideal choice for families that love soccer, football or commercial golf greens.
5. Eco-Friendly Surface
Eco-friendly playground surfaces are a great option for families with toddlers and pets. Small children who crawl on floors and surfaces are more exposed to chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides. Synthetic turf is a great option for eco-friendly families wanting to invest in their children’s health.
Key Considerations for Outdoor Playground Flooring Ideas
When creating outdoor playgrounds for your home or business, you can choose from various materials. Some of the most common options used in playgrounds are artificial turf, rubber mulch, wood fiber and pea gravel. When choosing the right material for your home and commercial playground, examine these key factors.
Safety and Health
According to the National Safety Council (NCS), 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls. Children usually spend more time on the ground than adults, making them more prone to accidents and sensitive to chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
When choosing flooring for your playground, consider your children’s age and activity level. Opt for flooring that provides cushioning against impacts and withstands the high traffic of active children. For younger children and babies starting to crawl, prefer a flooring that minimizes chemical exposure.
Follow the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Safety Standards for Playground Surfaces and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to ensure the safety and inclusion of all family members.
Aesthetics and Functionality
A good playground blends with its surroundings and provides activities for children to engage in different types of play. Opt for flooring that complements your home’s architecture and neighborhood’s design. Work with your natural surroundings and integrate them into the playground.
One of the most important factors is the types of play and activities children will perform. Different playground equipment provides opportunities for children to engage in multiple games. Choose a flooring material that supports equipment, activities and sports.
Installation and Maintenance Costs
A playground should match your family’s budget as much as it matches your home’s architecture. Before deciding on flooring, consider the following costs:
- Material: The total expenses will depend on the type of material and the surface coverage. Material is usually sold by the square foot.
- Preparation: The surface needs to be prepared before the material is laid out. The preparation will depend on your flooring choice and the provider’s installation process.
- Labor: Consider the cost of labor during the preparation and installation process. Labor rates are also calculated by the square foot.
- Maintenance: Your playground flooring costs go beyond material, preparation and installation. The maintenance is an investment you’ll have to make during your playground’s useful life.
Artificial grass is a great choice for a family or commercial play area. It requires little maintenance and saves you time on mowing and watering. At CBA Sports, the installation of synthetic grass costs start at $5 per square foot, including labor.
Benefits Of Playground Turf
Playground turf is a great choice for commercial and home playground flooring ideas. Some of the benefits of artificial turf are:
- Safety: Artificial turf is one of the safest materials for children’s playgrounds. Our FallSoft® technology provides additional protection against impacts for more than 5 feet.
- Hygiene: Our Microban technology provides allergen-free surfaces and protects against mold, mildew, microorganisms and bacteria growth.
- Durability: Synthetic turf withstands the high traffic of children playing and the climate conditions of Atlanta, Georgia.
- Aesthetic appeal: Throughout the year, turf keeps a consistent green look without discoloration, making your home’s playground more appealing.
- Customization: Playground turf is highly versatile. It can be adapted to any backyard and integrated with different landscapes and equipment.
- Low maintenance: Artificial turf maintenance does not require watering, reseeding or mowing. With our UltraBase self-draining system, your playground will be clean and odor-free.
- Environmental benefits: Installing turf for your playground contributes to water conservation and reduces the use of harmful chemicals. Synthetic turf is made of recyclable material, making it an eco-friendly option.
Choose CBA Sports for Safe and Durable Playground Turf
When you choose CBA Sports for your home or commercial playground, you prioritize your children’s well-being and create a beautiful outdoor space. Our turf is designed to be visually appealing and to offer safety, giving you peace of mind during play.
With over 30 years of experience in artificial grass installation, we provide a personalized and hassle-free experience for families and businesses in Atlanta, Georgia. We walk you through every step of the process and offer synthetic turf maintenance programs designed to keep your playground in the best possible shape.
Are you ready to create a more engaging and secure playground? Request a free consultation online.
