Playground Mulch

Children are always active. Because they live the present much more than we do, they don’t have a well developed idea of the future. For them everything is now, now, now. That’s why they always use their full energy, of which they have plenty. They run, climb, play, hide, etc, at the best of their abilities.

That’s why when we plan areas for them, we have to take into account their sizes and behavior. And this is much truer when we plan areas that are meant to have children doing physical activities, for example, in playgrounds.

When planning playgrounds, one must take into account the needs of children and their sizes. Playground equipment must be distributed evenly and must allow enough space between pieces of equipment as to give enough space for a couple of children running or even a grown up parent that is accompanying his or her kids and maybe even carrying a bag or a baby.

Also, deciding on the type of playground mulch is important. There are a few different types of playground mulch and you have to weight the pros and the cons before getting the best for you.

By far, the most common type of playground mulch is rubber mulch. Rubber mulch has several qualities that make it a good choice as playground mulch, but perhaps the most important one is its elasticity. Because of this, it can serve as a cushion that softens impacts when children fall off playground equipment. Also, this type of playground mulch can come in different colors, allowing for a playground designer to make pretty, colorful patters that children will like.

When buying rubber mulch for playgrounds, make sure that it is playground mulch quality. This one is shredded better than rubber mulch used for gardening and it is better for children areas. The other one has bigger nuggets and it’s much more suitable for gardening. Also, if possible get the certified type, although if you don’t find it easily, regular is ok too. Certified rubber playground mulch usually has been heated to eliminate any toxins that could be in it. Other types are ok as long as children are trained not to put them in their mouths (in fact, they should be trained to not put anything they pick up from the ground in their mouths).

Lastly, while rubber playground mulch is the most common, there are other types that are used as well. For example, cedar mulch, which gives a much better smell and will eventually decompose. It also softens falls although not as well as rubber playground mulch. Take a look at the options in your area before you make a decision.