Child Item

How to build playground equipment?

Hi, I would like to replace the current ramp that's on my kids playground with one a little more safer for my 2 yr old.

I will upload pictures of what it currently is and what I would like to make.

Playground is 1200 high.

Width I'd like the ramp is 500-600mm (current one is 500mm) and I would like the ramp to be approx 1800 long. I would also like to add the ropes or handles to the sides.

What I would like to know is what wood would I use and what screws/bolts/drill bits etc 😊

Second question is, I also want to make 2 balancing beams, same questions, what wood and bolts/screws/drill bits would I need please. Picture also attached. images (54).jpeg images (65).jpeg images (64).jpeg

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Craft and Hobbies

Building and Construction

Comments

EricL

Hello @MummaEm

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building playground equipment.

I propose using Merbau timber for the playground equipment. Merbau timber is a durable and versatile hardwood commonly used for outdoor projects like decking, due to its natural resistance to weather, termites, and decay. It has a rich, reddish-brown colour that deepens over time, offering both strength and aesthetic appeal. Merbau is also relatively easy to work with, making it a popular choice for both DIY and professional use.

Other hardwood timbers commonly used for playgrounds include spotted gum, ironbark, jarrah, and blackbutt. These species are selected for their high durability, resistance to wear and decay, and ability to withstand outdoor conditions. In regards to how to build the playground, I suggest engaging the services of a handy person who has experience in building them. The structures must be strong, stable and able to carry the weight of multiple children. You can also try to look for pre-made plans online.

In regards to fixings, its best to use galvanized nut and bolt sets along with galvanized screws.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Noyade and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @MummaEm

So lets go through the things you would like 🙂

Ballance beam, 88 x 88mm 1.8m F7 H4 KD Treated Pine Premium Post Went with this as it seems to be smoother, Gal bolts are what I would also use as @EricL has suggested.

The ramp, Merbau again as it lasts a lot better then other timbers and is stronger. I am not keen on the ropes on the side, would rather a solid rail. Rope splay out and I think it would be difficult for a 2yo to handle.

The ballance rope, I would put the posts at least 900-1000m into the ground, we all LOVE swinging on the ropes and there will be a large force wanting to bring those posts together, weight in the middle will bring the tops towards each other. You could also have an elongated post hole so a double width rectangular hole with the long sides in the same plane as the other post, then concrete the posts in at the furtherest part of the rectangles. Its kind of like building a retaining wall where the foot helps the wall/post from rolling forward. I would use the same type of H3 posts or 100mm 3.0m Pole H4 Treated Pine Round Wet

Dave

JacobZ

Hi @MummaEm,

This looks like a fantastic project that I would love to help out with.

The first thing to mention, which I am sure you are well aware of, is that we need to put safety at the forefront of our thinking. These premade playgrounds are designed and tested with the calibre of timbers used being deemed suitable for their current application. Making alterations to the structure would be done at your own risk, so it is worth considering employing a handyperson for their assistance to ensure it is strong, well constructed and suitable for use.

If you are happy to go ahead, all materials will need to be smooth to remove the chance of splinters; screws should be embedded below the surface of the timber and all precautions for preventing falls should be taken.

Going along with what @EricL has said, merbau would be an excellent choice for your ramp as it is a hardwood timber that is naturally resistant to weather without the addition of any treatments.

I've come up with a basic design for a ramp that would use 90 x 42mm Beams as the main supports for the ramp, 90 x 19mm Merbau Decking as the face of the ramp and 42 x 19mm Merbau Batten as the footholds and border. The decking boards and battens could be attached to the beams using decking screws. You can use a Starborn No.10 Smart-Bit Flat Head Countersink Drill Bit to predrill and countersink your screws so they sit below the surface of the timber.

You could then drill holes through the side of the beams at the bottom to slot rope through which could then be attached to the structure at the top of the ramp.

The challenge from this point is how to attach the ramp and the ropes to the playground, because the mounting point for the current ramp would not be sufficient to support this ramp.

My suggestion would be to install another post where the red arrow is here.

I would also consider adding posts along the mid span of the ramp where I have shown below.

This design would ensure that the ramp is well supported, ropes can be added as fall protection, with some sanding everything is smooth and splinter free as well as weather resistant.

I'm sure you can see there is some complexity involved, but when safety is at the forefront, it needs to be strong and as I am not able to test the structure like premade kits are, overengineering is the best way to ensure it is safe.

The balance beams on the other hand would be relatively simple in comparison as they are low to the ground so the risk is greatly reduced. You could use some Retaining Wall Blocks as a foundation, then use DynaBolts to attach some 88 x 88mm Treated Pine Premium Posts to them.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

Child Item