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Playhouse in the yard -- what do you put under it? (2 Viewers)

Otis

Footballguy
We bought a wooden playhouse for the yard. Going to put it in the corner on the grass. Anything we need to put underneath it, or just throw it on the grass and don't sweat it?

TIA

 
We rented a sod cutter to take out the grass, laid that black landscaping fabric to keep the weeds out (It did a fair job), and then threw playground mulch down. (http://www.amerigrow.com/playground.html)

If you have a fair amount of clay in your soil the cutter s-u-c-k-s, but the kids are happy.

Realized Otis started this thread: Bed of nails, rusty of course.

 
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Our house had a huge playhouse in the back yard when we bought it. Looks like THIS. The log one...with a finished interior. It's kind of nuts honestly. It's nicer than some KOA camping cabins I've been in.

It's just set on bare ground. I'll tell you right now that if you have groundhogs, rabbits, etc. they WILL dig under it and build dens. Further, if it's wood, you'll end up with carpenter bees like crazy. I use the thing for wood storage for now. When our son gets old enough to realize what it is, I'll spend a few weekends refurbishing it so he can play in it...but it's just an eyesore and I can't wait to tear it down in like 10-15 years.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.

 
We rented a sod cutter to take out the grass, laid that black landscaping fabric to keep the weeds out (It did a fair job), and then threw playground mulch down. (http://www.amerigrow.com/playground.html)

If you have a fair amount of clay in your soil the cutter s-u-c-k-s, but the kids are happy.

Realized Otis started this thread: Bed of nails, rusty of course.
Lord this sounds like a lot of work. In addition to the several hours it will take to build this thing...

 
Easiest solution I saw so far was just throwing down those 1 foot square paver tiles and a little sand in between them.

That or just put it on the lawn and don't worry about it?

 
Easiest solution I saw so far was just throwing down those 1 foot square paver tiles and a little sand in between them.

That or just put it on the lawn and don't worry about it?
I just got one of these a few months ago and just put it on the lawn. Once the grass is worn out and it starts to look crappy I will probably just throw some mulch around it.Eta* here is the one I went with. Not spectacular, but this is pretty cheap for a cedar set. Assembly was a PITA, 8hrs. Sam's wanted like $500 to assemble.

http://m.samsclub.com/ip/brookfield-cedar-playset/prod11490118

 
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We rented a sod cutter to take out the grass, laid that black landscaping fabric to keep the weeds out (It did a fair job), and then threw playground mulch down. (http://www.amerigrow.com/playground.html)

If you have a fair amount of clay in your soil the cutter s-u-c-k-s, but the kids are happy.

Realized Otis started this thread: Bed of nails, rusty of course.
Lord this sounds like a lot of work. In addition to the several hours it will take to build this thing...
Well I was putting in one of these types (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Adventure-Play-Sets-Atlantis-Cedar-Wooden-Swing-Set/13437313) so I had one shot to get it right. If I had to do it again, I'd seriously consider going rubber mulch, but man that stuff is pricey.

All in took a really hard weekend's work with about 3 other family members.

Since you don't really have a fall risk I'd go with those 18"-2' pavers. Easily removed and can go back to normal lawn once they outgrow.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
So it weighs 140 lbs not going to want to be moving that. I would suggest leveling the area. Maybe doing a dig out so the playhouse sits in the dugout area over some of the plastic sheeting they use to prevent weeds in flower beds. Not sure you need to go as nuts as they suggest with a 6 foot zone of mulch or rubber around the house to prevent head injuries from a fall. But I think their instruction are all inclusive and are there for the big swing sets and such. Looks like you get a five year warranty on the wood as far as rot goes. Remember to restain every year.

 
Rubber mulch? For that? Why? Is your kid going to fall and hurt themselves changing out the petunias in the windowbox?

 
We started with one like Otis is contemplating. Our child got bored in a few hours and never used it again. Next we got a giant inflatable by two fans waterslide with multiple slides and wading pool. She loved that and we had it maybe three years. the thing took about 20 minutes to set up. Taking it down, deflating, emptying the water, disconnecting hoses, disinfecting and drying before rolling up to put away was a pain. Rolled up it was about the size of a coffin and I often thought it would put me in one early. Finally we went to a Lord of the Flies play set. Home Depot had everything I needed. You could pretty much construct your own. I went with 6 inches of pebble underneath. That thing took me maybe 30 hours to set up between digging footings, pouring concrete into forms, cutting, bolting, going back for hardware fittings for swings and rings, and hauling pea gravel around my house.

Now the back yard belongs to the adults. She is a teenager and off to new things. Sometimes I regret the work and investment. Mostly not, we had some good memories and some great excited hugs back there when she saw what Daddy did.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
the kids show grow nicely into that one.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
That's more like a play shack.

I'd just throw it on the grass. If it rots in a year or two it won't matter since the kids won't fit in it for long anyway.

 
We rented a sod cutter to take out the grass, laid that black landscaping fabric to keep the weeds out (It did a fair job), and then threw playground mulch down. (http://www.amerigrow.com/playground.html)

If you have a fair amount of clay in your soil the cutter s-u-c-k-s, but the kids are happy.

Realized Otis started this thread: Bed of nails, rusty of course.
Lord this sounds like a lot of work. In addition to the several hours it will take to build this thing...
Well I was putting in one of these types (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Adventure-Play-Sets-Atlantis-Cedar-Wooden-Swing-Set/13437313) so I had one shot to get it right. If I had to do it again, I'd seriously consider going rubber mulch, but man that stuff is pricey.

All in took a really hard weekend's work with about 3 other family members.

Since you don't really have a fall risk I'd go with those 18"-2' pavers. Easily removed and can go back to normal lawn once they outgrow.
Ah I see. We'll be looking at a swingset type thing down the road, maybe next year.

I'm thinking concrete pavers are the way to go. The playhouse is only about 5x4', so if I put down a 6x6 grid, through a little over that patio sand in between. Done and done.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
the kids show grow nicely into that one.
The 4yo already has to duck to walk in.

This was Mrs. O's idea. I figure the 1yo will get a few years out of it, and if there are other kids later, they'll get some use, but this thing will likely be nothing but a headache I need to get rid of in about 5-6 years. FML

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
Your wife is OK enough, but the kids should wear some sort of masks.....or are they already?

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
So it weighs 140 lbs not going to want to be moving that. I would suggest leveling the area. Maybe doing a dig out so the playhouse sits in the dugout area over some of the plastic sheeting they use to prevent weeds in flower beds. Not sure you need to go as nuts as they suggest with a 6 foot zone of mulch or rubber around the house to prevent head injuries from a fall. But I think their instruction are all inclusive and are there for the big swing sets and such. Looks like you get a five year warranty on the wood as far as rot goes. Remember to restain every year.
:lmao:

 
Why do you hate your kids? that set you bought is awful, and will end up being nothing more than a spider breeding ground.

I thought you were talking about a real play set - for what you bought, you don't need anything under it.
I didn't say play set. I said playhouse. Big difference IMO.

 
As sort of a compromise, you can use those rubber pieces that have holes in them. I have a friend that has a giant playset in his yard and he threw those down where there would be wear and tear. The grass grows through the holes, but the rubber keeps the mud from becoming and issue and from the grass getting worn out. Not sure what the official term is for those rubber mats.

 
I didn't think it was going to be that small. That's so non-Otis.

If you're going to go that small, just use a card board box or two and some duct tape and let the kids decorate with their crayons and maybe some finger paints.

 
We rented a sod cutter to take out the grass, laid that black landscaping fabric to keep the weeds out (It did a fair job), and then threw playground mulch down. (http://www.amerigrow.com/playground.html)

If you have a fair amount of clay in your soil the cutter s-u-c-k-s, but the kids are happy.

Realized Otis started this thread: Bed of nails, rusty of course.
Lord this sounds like a lot of work. In addition to the several hours it will take to build this thing...
Well I was putting in one of these types (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Adventure-Play-Sets-Atlantis-Cedar-Wooden-Swing-Set/13437313) so I had one shot to get it right. If I had to do it again, I'd seriously consider going rubber mulch, but man that stuff is pricey.

All in took a really hard weekend's work with about 3 other family members.

Since you don't really have a fall risk I'd go with those 18"-2' pavers. Easily removed and can go back to normal lawn once they outgrow.
Ah I see. We'll be looking at a swingset type thing down the road, maybe next year.

I'm thinking concrete pavers are the way to go. The playhouse is only about 5x4', so if I put down a 6x6 grid, through a little over that patio sand in between. Done and done.
Think about plastic pavers instead of concrete. Little kids falling on concrete kinda sux.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
Does the inside have a floor? If not and you put right on grass, you will be cursing yourself trying to trim in and around this thing every week.

 
Why do you hate your kids? that set you bought is awful, and will end up being nothing more than a spider breeding ground.

I thought you were talking about a real play set - for what you bought, you don't need anything under it.
I didn't say play set. I said playhouse. Big difference IMO.
You started a thread about playsets. Every thread in the topic was about playsets.

 
Well if it's made of wood I wouldn't sit it directly on the ground. The bottom will rot out eventually. Can we get some kind of link to said playhouse? Be nice to know how big it is and whether or not it comes with anything as far as setup goes.
Sorry -- it's this one:

http://www.ruralking.com/toys/yard-toys-pools/playground-toys/leisure-time-backyard-discovery-scenic-playhouse-36013.html
Does the inside have a floor? If not and you put right on grass, you will be cursing yourself trying to trim in and around this thing every week.
:lmao: at the thought of Otis even cutting grass, much less trimming

 

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