Did You Create Shade In Your Yard?

[Abigail]

Our house doesn't have any shade except for along side the house in the early morning. I'm really thinking about building something for shade right now like a big actual roof that is 8-10 feet high so adults can walk under it or even 12 feet high so all our big toys and little toys can fit under it. I was thinking about like what you see at a picnic area for the shelter space? Has anyone ever done anything to make shade? We're going to put in trees but those will take a long time so I need something for right now too!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've been considering something similar. Aren't there tarp-like things made for this?

[renodeb]

I have seen a few ways to get shade. One provider I saw used a couple of big buckets with cement and some big umbrellas. I have one of those portable shades.
Deb

[JeepGirl6]

Shade

We have thought about buying one of those canopy tops people use camping and put picnic tables under... They run around $100 though so thats why we have held off

[AnythingsPossible]

I have seen a few ways to get shade. One provider I saw used a couple of big buckets with cement and some big umbrellas. I have one of those portable shades.
Deb

This is what I plan on doing this summer in the areas of yard that don't have shade. If you get the adjustable ones, you can move it around to block where the sun is coming from.

[mac60]

Google sail cloths, those are pretty innovative and inexpensive. Or a yard canopy, or actually plant a couple trees. I have a small dwarf crabapple tree and it is small yet gives off lots of shade.

What about those canopies that people park a car under, about $100 and size 10 x 20. The are inexpensive options out there.

[Lianne]

I have a simple canopy, similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-10-Foot-Smart-Shade-Canopy/dp/B000N56R72/ref=sr_1_6?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1337718627&sr=1-6

It cost me $70 last summer and in the fall I took it down and stored it. I just put it up this weekend and I will get this year out of it, for sure. I may not get a third summer out of it but for $70, I'm ok with that. I keep the kids picnic tables, the adult lawn chairs and a small adult sized table under it but it could easily be used over toys, a sandbox, etc.

I bought a second one from Walmart that's a little more portable and easier to collapse. I paid $50 for it and used it for trips to the park or to shade the wading pool. It pops open and closed easily. I found it in the camping section, it's the kind you often see at craft fairs, etc.

I moved this spring and my new backyard has lots of trees that keep one half of the yard shaded all day and the rest is quite sunny, seems to be a perfect mix so far.

[spud912]

Here's mine:

[Heidi]

Here's mine:

Holy crap! Your daycare play area looks that nice????

[Abigail]

Spud, what type of mats do you have under your play equipment? How much were they?

[Sprouts]

I have a simple canopy, similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/Swiss-10-Foot-Smart-Shade-Canopy/dp/B000N56R72/ref=sr_1_6?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1337718627&sr=1-6

It cost me $70 last summer and in the fall I took it down and stored it. I just put it up this weekend and I will get this year out of it, for sure. I may not get a third summer out of it but for $70, I'm ok with that. I keep the kids picnic tables, the adult lawn chairs and a small adult sized table under it but it could easily be used over toys, a sandbox, etc.

I bought a second one from Walmart that's a little more portable and easier to collapse. I paid $50 for it and used it for trips to the park or to shade the wading pool. It pops open and closed easily. I found it in the camping section, it's the kind you often see at craft fairs, etc.

I moved this spring and my new backyard has lots of trees that keep one half of the yard shaded all day and the rest is quite sunny, seems to be a perfect mix so far.

I have the same exact one and it's great! I also got it on sale I think for 88, if u keep it in ur cart it will tell u if the price goes down, just keep checking

[Sprouts]

Here's mine:

I love that! Where did u get that from?

[spud912]

Thanks everyone! I really do love our playground! I purchased all of the playground equipment before I started daycare in anticipation of getting licensed. Licensing requires shade and padding to withstand a 2 foot fall. Since I live in a rental, I could not do traditional padding (sand, mulch, etc.) because it would obviously involve a major alteration to the landlord's landscaping. The awning had to be approved through our hoa first and then I purchased it on amazon for ~$200 (although I looked it up just now and it's not for sale anymore). It's held up to several high-wind storms and Arizona monsoons, so I'm impressed! Besides being very large and awkward, it's fairly lightweight and can be moved easily if you have a second person to help with the other side. I love how it's butted up to the house because it drastically cools the bedrooms on that side due to the added shade.

The mats were purchased from greatmats.com (if I remember correctly). They were very pricey and much more expensive than I anticipated spending. They ended up costing over $1000 with taxes and delivery (they had to be pallet-dropped). They are really nice recycled tire mats and are meant for playgrounds, so they have been tested to withstand a 2 foot fall (and I think they advertised them to be tested chemically and approved for children's playgrounds). They do tend to get dirty easily and it's difficult to remove dirt build-up, but they are surprisingly cool to the touch (I figured in the Arizona sun they would be scorching, but that's not the case at all!).

[aforwwfora]

Thanks everyone! I really do love our playground! I purchased all of the playground equipment before I started daycare in anticipation of getting licensed. Licensing requires shade and padding to withstand a 2 foot fall. Since I live in a rental, I could not do traditional padding (sand, mulch, etc.) because it would obviously involve a major alteration to the landlord's landscaping. The awning had to be approved through our hoa first and then I purchased it on amazon for ~$200 (although I looked it up just now and it's not for sale anymore). It's held up to several high-wind storms and Arizona monsoons, so I'm impressed! Besides being very large and awkward, it's fairly lightweight and can be moved easily if you have a second person to help with the other side. I love how it's butted up to the house because it drastically cools the bedrooms on that side due to the added shade.

The mats were purchased from greatmats.com (if I remember correctly). They were very pricey and much more expensive than I anticipated spending. They ended up costing over $1000 with taxes and delivery (they had to be pallet-dropped). They are really nice recycled tire mats and are meant for playgrounds, so they have been tested to withstand a 2 foot fall (and I think they advertised them to be tested chemically and approved for children's playgrounds). They do tend to get dirty easily and it's difficult to remove dirt build-up, but they are surprisingly cool to the touch (I figured in the Arizona sun they would be scorching, but that's not the case at all!).

You can also review this site for playground flooring last time i was bought from them their quality and price are perfect.

rubberflooring-online.com/product-category/playground-flooring-and-mats/

[MarinaVanessa]

I put up a canopy.



I have a small patio instead of a yard so my canopy covers the majority of it and I attached it to the porch roof and the fence but you can easily put posts up and hang one from those. They're similar to tarps but made from canvas and can get them in different sizes and shapes.