NY Requires Padding Of Some Sort

[MommyofThree]

Under the swing set like mulch. Well I think mulsh is more of a safty issure then a child falling on grass. Mulsh the little ones put in the mouth and can choke. What are some other good things to put under a swing set in NY requirements??? Im thinking of padding that some schools have but cant think of the name. Any Ideas

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Our parks use chopped up pieces of recycled tires. But not sure how expensive it is, or where to get it. I would think mulch would be the cheapest.

I just think its crazy that kids cant fall onto the grass! When did the ground become such a childhood danger!

[melskids]

well, let me tell you. we did mulch, just because my hubby has some connections, and I got it for free. had i paid for it, i'm sure it would have been around $900

i've had more tears and splinters then ever. i hate it.

rubber mulch may have been better, but its WAY too expensive. sand gets thrown in eyes, and pea gravel i'm sure would be a choking hazard.

so i dont know what the best option would be....considering our budgets.

I saw someone once who put mulch or sand under outdoor turf carpet. that looks like an awesome idea, but i am on a mountain on a dirt road. the mud here is unbelievable, and i'm sure the carpet would look pretty bad in no time.

[Solandia]

I got rid of all my climbers, etc. Our outdoor play (in the summer we spend a minimum of 4hrs outside each day) is more intense pretend play, home-made obstacle courses, hoola hoops, jump ropes, kickball...that sort of stuff. The fave is the giant sandbox, though.

[MommyofThree]

Our parks use chopped up pieces of recycled tires. But not sure how expensive it is, or where to get it. I would think mulch would be the cheapest.

I just think its crazy that kids cant fall onto the grass! When did the ground become such a childhood danger!

exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MommyofThree]

I got rid of all my climbers, etc. Our outdoor play (in the summer we spend a minimum of 4hrs outside each day) is more intense pretend play, home-made obstacle courses, hoola hoops, jump ropes, kickball...that sort of stuff. The fave is the giant sandbox, though.

yes but I have three children that I wont take that away from my kids. Maybe I can use the front yard:} That way I can use your idea but I dont know about a fence:{ urg sometimes its just too much non sence rules. I live on a great street where there are no danger to kids being in the front and going to get hit.

[Crystal]

Bark chips are the perfect fall zone material. I've had it for years and I have never had a kid eat it or choke on it. I but the playground chips, so they are splinter free and flame retardant. The initial investment was high and I add a little each year, but I have never had an injury when the children fall off the swings or climbers.

The reason they shouldn't be falling on grass is because the dirt becomes compacted and can cause broken bones and concussions. Defintiley worth prevention, IMO.

[melskids]

Bark chips are the perfect fall zone material. I've had it for years and I have never had a kid eat it or choke on it. I but the playground chips, so they are splinter free and flame retardant. The initial investment was high and I add a little each year, but I have never had an injury when the children fall off the swings or climbers.

The reason they shouldn't be falling on grass is because the dirt becomes compacted and can cause broken bones and concussions. Defintiley worth prevention, IMO.

I might try that! My mulch has compacted down, and I will need to fill it in this spring, so maybe I will get those instead. Thanks!

[youretooloud]

We use the rubber mats that you can buy at Costco for about $12. I think they are called fatigue mats.

First I put sand in a shallow pit, then put the mats onto that so the kids can dig the sand out, or kick it while they swing. It's very shock absorbing.

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/notrax-sanitop-anti-fatigue-mat-562.html?lsku=SFTSMAT1000022289&gclid=CM7zgLnwsa0CFQduhwodeUtAmQ

Then, for an added thrill, I occasionally drop fish tank rocks into the holes, and they'll spend HOURS trying to pick the rocks out of the mats.

[busymommy0420]

I bought rubber mulch at Home Depot. It was about $2000 but well worth it. My entire playground area is fenced in and covered in the rubber mulch. The mulch makes my area a MUD FREE zone too which is an added bonus. My daycare is ages 2 and up, NO BABIES so the choking hazard is not as high of a risk (I still have to keep an eye on them of course). The rubber mulch does not fade and does not leave splinters at all. I LOVE it

[Michael]

When searching our previous threads for Play Ground surfaces I found an interesting site on outdoor play area planning: http://earthplay.net/design-projects-garden-city-ny/

[Childminder]

Search for threads on this subject here on daycare.com, it's been discussed a lot.

I use free wood mulch from the county road commission with marine outdoor carpet over it. It is twelve inches thick, no mulch in baby's mouth, clean, just blow it off or sweep, moisture goes through quickly, Love it!!! We got the carpet cheap off craigslist less than $100 and I have seen it at recycle places from golf practice places. Love it!!!

[Michael]

Search for threads on this subject here on daycare.com, it's been discussed a lot.

I use free wood mulch from the county road commission with marine outdoor carpet over it. It is twelve inches thick, no mulch in baby's mouth, clean, just blow it off or sweep, moisture goes through quickly, Love it!!! We got the carpet cheap off craigslist less than $100 and I have seen it at recycle places from golf practice places. Love it!!!

Could be some of these: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...round+surfaces

https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=mulch

[Unregistered]

Who comes around and checks the ground cover and how often? I just have grass so I guess I better do something quick or remove my climbers.