Adults and children appreciate having plenty of seating areas in and near their playspace. These benches will encourage adult supervision of children when placed in close proximity to the playground equipment.
Sort all materials into piles by like items to ensure you have materials needed to complete project.
Take [4] of the 2x4x12s. Cut [2] 2x4x72" pieces from each, for a total of [8] 2x4x72" pieces.
Take [1] of the remaining 2x4x12s. Cut into [2] 2x4x65" pieces.
Take [1] of the remaining 2x4x12s. Cut into [4] 2x4x16 ½" pieces.
If you will be setting the bench in concrete, cut this 2x4x12 into [4] 2x4x30 ½" pieces.
Take the last remaining 2x4x12. Cut into [4] 2x4x20" pieces.
If you will be setting the bench in concrete, cut this 2x4x12 into [4] 34" pieces.
Inventory and sort all of your materials.
Build the legs by screwing [1] 2x4x16 ½" piece into one 2x4x20" piece. Use six 2 ½" deck screws and stagger the screws as shown. Be sure all edges are flush!
If you are setting the bench in concrete, you will be screwing one 2x4x30 ½" piece into one 2x4x34" piece.
Repeat this process using all of the 2x4x16 ½" and 2x4x20" pieces. You will need 4 legs per bench.
If you are setting the bench in concrete, you will be repeating this process with 2x4x30 ½" and 2x4x34" pieces.
Then, take [1] 2x4x72" piece and attach it to [2] of the legs you just built using the 2 ½" deck screws. Be sure the top and outside ends are flush.
Next, fit one of the 2x4x65" pieces between the inside edges of the legs and screw it onto the 2x4x72" that was just attached.
Now, screw [6] 2x4x72s on top of what you have just built using the 2 ½" deck screws. Be sure to screw the 2x4x72s in one at a time so that the 2 ½" deck screws can connect each one.
Then, attach the two remaining legs you built in step 2 to the outside edges of the last 2x4x72" piece you just installed. Be sure the outside edges and top are flush.
Attach the remaining 2x4x65" piece between the legs and on top of the 2x4x72" piece.
Lastly, screw the remaining 2x4x72" piece on to the 2x4x65" piece you just attached.
If you are concreting the bench into the ground:
Use the bench to mark the location of the four holes (one for each leg) and dig each hole to roughly 12" deep. Place the bench in the holes, make sure it is level both side-to-side and front-to-back, then concrete the bench in place.
KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that works to achieve playspace equity. Kids who don't have access to play miss out on childhood and are denied critical opportunities to build physical, social and emotional health.
We team up with communities to build incredible playspaces that help give every kid the opportunity to thrive.
Our goal is to end playspace inequity. For good.
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A chalkboard gives children a space to be artists! Children can collaborate to make murals, play chalk games like tic-tac-toe, and use the chalkboard to keep score for field and asphalt games. A chalkboard can also enhance an outdoor classroom.
Plant trees and shrubs, or add a pizza garden, butterfly garden, or custom garden to your playspace! The pizza garden is easy to create and provides a place where kids can watch different plants grow, seeing the similarities and differences in each. The butterfly garden encourages exploration, offers a sensory experience and can be the setting for many science lessons. The custom garden is specifically designed for the needs of the community.
An outdoor classroom is a great way of encouraging schools and other organizations to take advantage of their outdoor playspace and turn the entire area into a learning environment.