Every child is an inexhaustible source of energy that needs to be splashed out. As soon as the sun appears outside the window, any mother hurries to bring her baby to the playground. But along with the joy of spring days comes the excitement for the safety of the little ones. If you decide to build a corner for your games with your own hands, you should choose not only the swing with which the playground will be equipped. Floor coverings play an equally important role.
Coverage Functions
Self-selection of coverage is very convenient. So, you can take into account all the nuances that are relevant specifically for you and your child. The main functions that the material should handle are simple. First, take care to choose a raw material that does not scratch the skin when dropped on it. Secondly, the material should cushion impacts. Thirdly, it is good if it is easily cleaned and does not accumulate debris and dirt.
Coverage options for outdoor playgrounds
For outdoor areas, you can use bulk materials (sand, sawdust), artificial grass, rubber coatings, PVC tiles. The following points affect the choice of the most suitable material: the location of the site and the age of the children on whom it is designed.
Let's start with bulk materials. Each courtyard of any city has a playground. The flooring most often consists of plain sand. And it seems that this is the most suitable option - kids can play in the sand throughout. But there are a number of disadvantages:
- Sand is interesting not only for children. Very soon ants, various bugs will find shelter in it, and cats and dogs will make a toilet.
- Garbage will constantly mix with grains of sand. Pebbles, candy wrappers, glass splinters, butts not only spoil the appearance, but can also be dangerous for the peanuts.
- Young children are constantly pulling something in their mouths. At the site, they can eat sand or sawdust.
- In order for the sand to absorb shock, the layer thickness should be at least 50 cm.
- In places of the greatest load (at the descent of the hill, near the ladder, etc.), depressions appear in which water will collect.
- Bulk materials require constant updating.
Rubber coatings are much more convenient, because they are designed specifically to mitigate impacts. At the same time, they try to increase their durability. To this end, the top layer is made more durable so that the street cover for the playground can withstand both a large flow of children and environmental conditions. And the density of the lower layer is intentionally reduced. Thus, the material has high strength, but remains soft. The rubber coating is presented in the form of a monolithic sheet or individual tiles. With the help of the latter, only places exposed to the greatest load can be laid.
Artificial grass pleases the eye and ennobles the playground. But it is better to use it in combination with rubber, because in itself this coating does not mitigate impacts at all. It’s also harder to take care of cleanliness. Advantages - does not heat up in the sun, it's nice to run barefoot.
Indoor site coverage
To play all year round, regardless of weather conditions, a closed playground is suitable. Coverage for sites of this type may be as follows:
- monolithic rubber sheet or tiles;
- artificial grass;
- carpet;
- mats;
- laminate.
It is recommended to use a carpet if there are no swings for active games on the site. If the advantage was given to the laminate, then children should play in shoes, because in socks it will be slippery. Of the new materials on the list, only mats are able to absorb shock, so they are the best option.
Important Features
Coverage in the territory for children's games must meet a number of requirements. Ideally, if it has a high level of shock absorption. In addition, it must be environmentally friendly, safe and durable. The first quality is important not only for young children. The grown-up guys like to climb higher and jump, which is very painful to do on a hard surface. In addition, the platforms always run and push - you can fall and hurt yourself badly. The coating should be environmentally friendly so as not to cause allergic reactions in children. Safety is the lack of slipping and unevenness, ease of cleaning. And the durability of the material will facilitate the care of the site for adults.
Making a children's corner in the country
A country house simply must be equipped with a site. This is the key to a relaxing holiday for adults and a cheerful mood for children. Many prefer improvised means. Beautiful figures can be made from ordinary plastic bottles, car tires. For a swing you will need a strong rope and a small wooden plank. To build a sandbox, you just need to dig four boards into the ground. It is easier for someone to order a swing and install a ready-made version. In any case, the most basic concern is the coverage for the playground in the country.
Rubber material is considered relevant. But mostly a summer house is visited only in the summer. Therefore, such an investment of finance is simply irrational. In this case, the best way would be a combination of sand and PVC tiles. The latter will help to keep the surface of the site intact and protect the child from excess dirt. The main thing is a safe playground: coverage for playgrounds plays a decisive role in this matter. Keep this in mind when designing a territory for children.