In short: Wooden play area No. 8 is a children’s play corner made of round logs. It consists of a square log sandbox, a slide with a ladder-type frame and a swing set with two separate seats. Such an area lets children play in sand, climb, slide and swing in one yard. The composition, size and finish are agreed individually.
What this play area consists of
The photo shows three separate products that go well together. They are made of the same material and coated with the same warm shade, so together they look like one unified play area. Because the parts are not joined into a single structure, you can arrange them in the yard however is most convenient.
The log sandbox
In the foreground stands a square sandbox whose walls are made of horizontal round logs. At the corners the ends of the logs are crossed and project outward, as when building a log house. Because of this the box looks like a small log building without a roof, and to children it recalls a fortress inside which you can create your own games.
Boards are laid across the logs in two corners, and it is comfortable to sit on them. They can be a little table for sand cakes and a seat for an adult watching a playing child. The thick log walls keep the sand from spilling onto the lawn, and the rounded edges of the logs are not sharp. The corner boards are cut in a rounded shape, so they too have no sharp corners a child could bump into.
The slide with a ladder frame
In the middle stands a slide whose upper part rests on a ladder-type frame of logs. Children climb up on crosswise rungs made of small logs, and at the top they can hold on to a curved branch that serves as a handle. The slide has wooden sides and a light, smooth sliding surface, and at the bottom it rests on the ground.
The legs of the frame stand on concrete slabs. They help the frame stand level and protect the ends of the logs from damp ground.
The swing set with two seats
On the right is a swing set with two separate plank seats. Each seat hangs on its own pair of ropes, hooked at the top with metal hooks to a log lying across. Two seats mean that two children can swing at the same time, and arguments about whose turn it is are cut in half.
The frame of the swing set consists of A-shaped log sides and a top log whose ends project beyond the sides. Beside the swing set you can see a tall post with crosspiece steps, which resembles a climbing post.
What the photo shows
The list below briefly sets out what can be seen in the photo of this typical example.
| Feature | In the photo |
|---|---|
| Square sandbox made of logs | Yes |
| Boards in the corners of the sandbox | Yes |
| Slide with a ladder-type frame | Yes |
| Swing set with two seats on ropes | Yes |
| Swing set with a bench | No |
| Roof | No |
The play area is set up in a garden plot next to bushes. Behind it you can see greenhouses and the houses of the neighbors. The sandbox is not yet filled with sand and grass can be seen in it, so the structure itself is clearly visible.
In the photo the parts are laid out roughly on a diagonal: the sandbox closest, the slide in the middle and the swing set farthest. This layout is practical, because toddlers playing in the sand stay away from the swinging seats.
Why have a play area with a sandbox
The sandbox is one of the oldest and best-loved children’s games. In sand children dig, build castles, bake cakes and create whole worlds. Games like these develop fine motor skills, imagination and patience.
When there is a slide and a swing set next to the sandbox, children can change activities according to their mood: after playing in the sand they run to slide, and when tired they go to swing. All of this happens in one place, so it is easy for adults to supervise.
A wooden play area has several advantages:
- A natural material. Logs are pleasant to touch and go with garden plants.
- Sturdiness. Massive logs are heavy and stable, so the structure stands firmly.
- A flexible composition. The parts are separate, so you can start with one and add to it later.
- A unified look. All the products are in the same style and shade.
It also matters that the children play in their own yard. You do not have to go to a public playground every day, and games can begin at any time, early in the morning or in the evening after dinner. Meanwhile parents can work in the garden or relax on the terrace and still see the children.
How to arrange the play area in the yard
Since the parts stand separately, their arrangement can be adapted to your plot. Still, there are a few principles worth following:
- Sandbox farther from the swings. Children playing in the sand should not be in the path of a swinging seat.
- Free room at the end of the slide. A child who has slid down must have somewhere to stand up and step away.
- A level base. All the parts must stand straight, especially the frame of the slide and the swing set.
- Visibility from the house. It is handy when the play area can be seen from a window or the terrace.
It is best to put the sandbox where it is in shade for part of the day. Sand heated by the sun on a hot day is unpleasant, while in the shade children can play longer. If there is no natural shade, it is worth considering a sandbox with a canopy.
Under the swings and at the end of the slide, lawn, sand or fine gravel suit better than a hard surface. The smallest children must always be supervised by adults.
In the photo the play area is set up in a part of the garden among bushes. A spot like this is quiet and far from the street, but when planning a similar place, make sure there are no thorny plants or sharp garden tools near the swings and the slide. It is useful to leave a lawn strip between the play area and the vegetable garden.
A wooden play area that grows with the children
One of the greatest strengths of such a play area is that it can be built up gradually. While the children are small, a sandbox and low swings are enough. As they grow they become interested in the slide and climbing, and later in clambering and swinging harder. Since the parts are separate, the area can be added to when it is really needed.
For the smallest children the sandbox is often the first place for independent play in the yard. The boards in the corners let parents sit nearby and play together. Two swing seats are handy when brothers and sisters are growing up in the yard or children from next door come over: nobody has to wait long for a turn.
When the children grow up and the sandbox is no longer needed, the log frame can be filled with soil and turned into a raised flower bed or a vegetable bed. This way the product stays useful in the yard for a long time. It is a simple way for a wooden play area to change its purpose along with the family.
If in the future you want a relaxation spot for adults nearby, garden furniture will suit the play area well: a table with benches where the parents can sit while the children play.
Care of the sandbox and the swing set
A sandbox needs clean sand. When the children are not playing, it is worth covering the sand so that leaves and animals do not get into it. Once a season the sand can be topped up or replaced, and in spring it can be dug over and cleaned.
Inspect the ropes of the swings in spring and several times during the summer. If they are frayed or torn, replace them immediately. Check the metal hooks on the top log and the crosspieces of the slide ladder.
Periodically coat the logs with a protective product made for exterior wood. The logs of the sandbox are in contact with damp sand and soil, so inspect them more carefully. Small lengthwise cracks appear naturally and usually do not harm the strength. For the winter it is worth taking down the swing seats.
What to discuss when ordering and how to order
When you order, discuss which parts you need, how old the children who will play are, how much space you have and what shade to coat the logs with. You can order the whole area or individual products.
If you want a sandbox with a lid or a different arrangement of the seats, say so during the call. It is also worth discussing the type of swing seats: in the photo they are plank seats, but for small children a different solution may suit. The more precisely you describe your children and your yard, the easier it will be to choose the right composition for the area.
For comparison, look at other examples as well: the children’s play complex No. 6 with a climbing frame, the children’s play area No. 9 with roofs and the children’s swing set No. 5. You will find all the products in the section swing sets and sandboxes.
UAB “Laukbaldis” has been making wooden products since 1996 and, according to the company, was the first in Lithuania to start making this production. Call +370 687 25388 and quote the product number, No. 8. Only typical examples are shown on the website, so the composition, size and finish are agreed with you before production.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order only the sandbox?
Yes, the parts of the area are separate, so you can order only the sandbox, only the swing set or only the slide. The composition is agreed individually.
What are the boards in the corners of the sandbox for?
Children and the adults supervising them can sit on them comfortably. Children often use the boards as a little table for sand cakes.
How many children can swing at the same time?
In the photo the swing set has two separate seats, so two children can swing at once. The number of seats can be discussed when you order.
How do I protect the sand from leaves and animals?
When the children are not playing, it is worth covering the sandbox. In spring the sand is worth digging over, cleaning and topping up if needed.
Is it easy to climb the frame of the slide?
Crosswise rungs made of small logs are fixed in the frame leading to the top of the slide, and at the top you can hold on to a curved branch. The height of the frame is agreed when you order, according to the age of the children.
How do I order play area No. 8?
Call us and quote No. 8. We will discuss the composition, the size and the finish.
