Any suggestions on how to safely set up a playground on concrete without damaging the surface?
Asked by Jennifer Wagner 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
Hey there! Can I get some input on something? My wife and I are trying to decide where to put this big playground we got for our kids.
The obvious choice is our yard, but I’m leaning towards putting it on a concrete slab. I know it’s not the safest option, so I’m wondering if there’s a way to make it safe.
I was thinking of adding a foot of mulch or sand around the playground, using wood as a base. But I’m worried about whether that might damage the concrete. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!
We used to live in Costa Rica back when my son was little. A 4 year old tragically passed away after falling off a play structure onto concrete while the school was waiting for their foam padding to arrive. Another child at a different playground got seriously injured because the foam had worn out. If you have concrete, make sure the protective mulch stays in place and doesn’t thin out. Sorry, but I agree with your wife about having a dirt/grass yard.
Definitely avoid installing the playground on concrete. Surrounding the playground with sand or mulch does not eliminate the risk of injuries. While it’s okay to secure the playground posts in concrete for stability, I agree with your wife that having a playground directly on concrete is not a good idea. Most playgrounds, especially those for young children, are not placed directly on concrete for safety reasons.
This decision is a bit challenging. How long do you anticipate the playground will be used by the kids? In other words, how long do you plan to keep it before taking it down?
There are synthetic rubber mulch options available for purchase. You can choose between sheets that can be rolled out or a loose mix that can be combined with a bonding agent and spread on the surface to the desired thickness (up to 4″).
Usually, the rubber mulch is placed over an aggregate (stone) base that allows for drainage. It’s not recommended to place mulch directly over concrete. Even with a vapor barrier, concrete can get damp and develop mold.
There are different ways to address impact surfacing over a hard surface, but it can be costly. Be sure to check out CPSC.org and refer to the residential handbook, as well as follow any manufacturer guidelines for installation. CPSC, the consumer product safety commission, sets the standard for playground safety, whether residential or commercial.
You have the option to outline the area with interlocking plastic playground borders of any size. Lay down a sturdy weed barrier liner (permeable mesh for drainage), fill it with mulch. Concrete can be risky! If you need to anchor supports, consider using a canister of cement for each footing. You could also think about using rubber mulch, which never needs to be replaced.
You might want to check if rubber mulch is harmful or emits gases. I believe grass/dirt would be a better option.
Just place it on the grass. It’s much safer that way.
That concrete pad will last long after the kids have outgrown the play structure. Other options are not as permanent
In my opinion, grass is the top surface choice as it’s affordable and soft. Simply bury a sturdy concrete block in the ground for each leg so they are all level with each other and as close to the ground as possible. If they protrude, cover them with mulch for safety.
I would suggest getting some 12×12 blocks or pouring some footers to place under the set bases and lift them off the ground slightly. This will help with good leveling and increase the lifespan of any wood or metal parts. Then create a perimeter around it and fill it with mulch, sand, or rubber chips.
If there is a beam in the ground, line up a row of long footers. For a corner location or post, think about using a small concrete piling and a Simpson base.
Remember, mulch is great because it retains moisture and helps maintain moisture levels. If it were up to me, I would think about laying down some durable sod if the area is not already lush, and that should do the trick. You can walk across the area now and use an herbicide or trimmer to keep the ground contact areas clean.
Okay, it should be placed on the grass. As someone who provides child care and has taken safety classes, this is the safest option. If you’re worried about mud patches under the slides/swings, consider using carpet or mats designed for horses in those areas. One question – how would you feel caring for a child with a permanent injury? And how do you comfort the kids when they get hurt? Let’s work together to prevent this from happening again. Grass will regrow, mud is natural, and kids getting dirty is good for them!!
I have a memory from when I was in kindergarten (around 1966) where the schoolyard was made of concrete. There was a child who went down the slide head first and hit his head, and he was never the same after that incident. No matter how much ‘mulch’ is placed on top of the concrete, there will always be a risk of a child getting hurt. It’s not worth taking that chance.
Totally agree with you, . It’s not worth taking the risk. We don’t want any neighborhood kids getting hurt and dealing with a lawsuit.
Placing it on bare concrete won’t make it much safer…put it in the yard where it actually belongs!!
I recently assisted my friend in installing Astroturf for his son’s large playground. It ended up looking fantastic.
I was actually thinking the same thing! My partner does that for a living.
It’s best on the grass. If you’re concerned about damaging your lawn, maybe consider giving your swingset (and the kids) to your parents? 😁😉
You know how they use rubber mulch on playgrounds? You can totally do that too.
Wow, that stuff is really pricy
Wait, did the person even mention the cost?
However, the price is just way too high for what it is.
OMG, the rubber mulch totally makes kids a mess. Like, seriously dirty. Feet, hands, shoes…everything goes black!
I agree , the off-gasses from certain materials can be really harmful to kids.
Hey , even rubber on concrete can be pretty dangerous without foam. How about using playsand instead? It would look great, and you can also add a feet rinse tub near the backdoor.
Why the hesitation with concrete? Especially when it’s known to be unsafe?
So, how long do kids actually enjoy swing sets for? And what’s the plan for a big cement slab with blood stains? Personally, I’d create a border and fill it in with rubber mulch.
Place it on the lawn and when the kids outgrow it, replace it with new grass or whatever suits your needs at that time. Grass is a safer, more current, natural option that is less costly to repair and not permanent.
Simply place it on the grass.
They sometimes use a rubber mulch for this.
Imagine this scenario: the neighbor kid comes over and starts swinging really high. He ends up falling off, breaking his nose and chipping a tooth. If he lands on the natural ground, it may be seen as an unfortunate accident. But if he hits concrete, the family could claim that you created an unsafe area and sue you. Your wife warned you this would happen, and now your kids are not welcome at other kids’ homes. To avoid all this drama, just put it on the grass.
Do you want to put it on concrete for stability? If so, just decide where the supports will go and pour footings.
Hey , we’ve fenced off the concrete area to make sure the dogs don’t damage the playground. And just so you know, my grassy area has a slope which might make leveling it a bit tricky.
We decided to use pea gravel as the base for our play set. I remember reading the manufacturer’s guidelines on recommended depths to ensure safety in case of falls. It might be helpful to do some more research on this. Concrete is definitely not a good option.
I wouldn’t recommend placing Rubber mulch directly on top of concrete. It’s better to have a layer of sand or soil underneath.
Rubber mulch seems like a good option, especially in areas with elevated surfaces. Remembering my Childhood, we didn’t have the luxury of cushioned flooring, but we managed just fine. Personally, I think Rubber mulch is the way to go
Let’s not waste money on concrete just to cover it with mulch. Have you ever seen concrete under public playgrounds? Definitely not. Why? Because concrete is too hard. Haha!
You should really consider your wife’s idea!
This is not a great idea. How about putting it on grass, creating a border, and filling it with mulch instead? Concrete is really not the way to go.
It seems like you missed part of my post. I was considering adding mulch on top of the concrete to make it safer. After consulting with others, I realize I was mistaken. Next time, make sure to read the whole post before commenting, haha.
Who doesn’t magically ensure safety. The concrete blocks water, creating a potential lake with packed mulch on top. I actually read your entire post. Despite my background in physics and construction, I still believe your idea is risky. It’s good that you expressed your thoughts, but be prepared for responses you may not like. You must have known it was a bad idea since you posted anonymously.
Not upset at all lol. I’m grateful that you took the time to read my post. If you read my response, you would have noticed that I admitted my mistake, but feel free to stand your ground.
I was not planning to install the playground on concrete unless I figured out a way to make it safe. There are methods to ensure safety, but they are not feasible for me at the moment.
I will likely opt for placing it on grass, but that presents its own challenges.
Nevertheless, I’m happy that you’re able to comprehend! 😁
Here again, I did read it, I apologize if you’re not catching the nuances or the varying levels of importance conveyed through language and choice of words. You said it was a bad idea… I said worst idea ever, which is much more severe and indicates the extreme negativity of the idea. Hopefully next time you’ll use your real name so that when you want to criticize others, you can do it in a mature manner rather than as a scared child.
No need to be so technical 😂
I definitely agreed with you, but that doesn’t seem to be sinking in.
I never mentioned it was a terrible idea, so it seems like you’re not fully reading my posts or maybe misunderstanding them.
Best regards,
Nervous child
Definitely keep reading a bit more to get to my question. I never claimed that having a playground on concrete is a bad idea. I simply pointed out that it’s unsafe to have a playground on bare concrete. However, with the right materials, it can be made safe.
Once again, please understand that having the playground directly on bare concrete was never even considered. I was exploring ways to ensure safety, as others have also mentioned in the thread. They clearly grasped what I was inquiring about. There’s a fine line between picking up on nuance and being too stubborn to truly comprehend the essence of someone’s question.
Anyway, it seems like we’re going in circles here, and my interest in this conversation has faded. By the way, Eagles aren’t that great! 😂
Take care, salty Philly fan! 😂🤣
Hey there, ! How about some introspection right now? The projecting that’s happening is quite strange.
You have the option to purchase thick rubber flooring tiles specifically designed for playground use.
https://www.rubberflooringinc.com/playground-flooring.html
Hey , I’m checking out that option right now. It’s a bit pricey, but if it means I can have a safe playground, it might be worth the investment.
I would definitely avoid doing that. It’s really unsafe for your child.
To create the play area, we blocked it off using 6×6 wood, got rid of the grass, laid down sand, and then added a 4-inch layer of pea gravel. Over the years, three kids and many other friends had fun playing there — nowadays my ex turned it into a fire pit space. It provides a soft surface for landings, can be easily cleaned with a hose, doesn’t leave stains, has good drainage, and kids enjoy playing in it.
I don’t think it’s a great idea from a drainage standpoint…
They offer ground rubber pellets for sale for this specific purpose. And if there happen to be numerous children in the area who might come over to play, it’s a good idea to consult with your insurance provider before proceeding with the installation of what could be considered an “attractive nuisance.”
If you decide to use concrete, make sure to lay down some mats like the ones they have in gyms. If you choose sand, lay down a thick plastic sheet first and then add the sand. Sand tends to retain moisture at the bottom, so it’s important to take precautions.
Create a small space for the playground equipment and fill it with either sand or bark, depending on which one you prefer to tidy up more haha
I built a boundary using treated 4x4s and filled it with wood chips. Pea gravel or rubber mulch could also work here.
It’s not safe to place playground equipment on a concrete slab as it’s not an ideal play area. If a child falls, concrete won’t provide much cushioning. Even if you use rubber mats on the concrete to absorb impact, it won’t be as effective as regular ground. Opt to install it in your yard like most people do… add rubber mulch or mats underneath to avoid frequent replacements like with mulch.
But seriously, why would you do that?! Put it on soft ground and follow all the steps you mentioned for the soft ground! Unless you’re actually trying to hurt some kids, then I wouldn’t share it online. You might get in trouble or get suspended, that’s how serious your question is.
Turn the concrete space into a handball court, or a place for jumping rope, or a spot for hopscotch, or a nice picnic area, or even a sandbox (just keep in mind this might cause the concrete to deteriorate unless you use a moisture barrier).
I’m trying to figure out how to safely put a playground on concrete.
Nobody ever thought about putting a playground on plain concrete haha
Do you need a stable foundation for the equipment while also ensuring a safe landing spot? If that’s the case, think about using concrete footings or solid concrete pads with minimal above-ground exposure. Use mulch or suitable material for the rest of the area.
The entire post seems like a potential lawsuit in the making.