Adding garden beds to your playspace gives children the opportunity to learn more about where food comes from and how vegetables and flowers grow. Edible plants can add many great sensory elements to enhance your space!
Sort all materials into piles by like items to ensure you have materials needed to complete project.
Take the [4] 2x12x10' boards. Cut each into [1] 86" piece and [1] 29" piece, for a total of [4] 2x12x86" pieces and [4] 2x12x29" pieces.
Take the [2] 4x4x12' boards. Cut each into [5] 27" pieces, for a total of [10] 4x4x27" pieces.
Take the [2] 2x6x12' boards. Cut each into [1] 96" piece and [1] 36" piece, for a total of [2] 2x6x96" pieces and [2] 2x6x36" pieces.
Angled Cuts:
Inventory and sort all of your materials.
Take [2] 2x12x86" pieces and the [2] 2x12x29" pieces and assemble a rectangular box with the 29" pieces on the outside, as shown. Attach each corner with three screws.
Attach the [10] 4x4x27" posts to the 29"x86" box, as shown. These posts will go on the outside of the box. Eight of the posts will sit 3" off from the corners of your box. The remaining two posts should be placed in the middle (3' and 7") of the long sides, with an equal distance to the corner posts from each. Attach each of these posts with [3] screws.
Take the remaining [2] 2x12x86" and [2] 2x12x29" pieces of wood for the second level of the box. Build this level inside of the 4x4 posts. Start by putting all four pieces of wood into place, keeping the 29" pieces on the outside. Once they are in place, attach the four corners of the box with 3" screws. Now that the box is fastened together, you can attach it to the ten 4x4 posts.
Flip the planter box over and place the [2] 2x6x96" and 2x6x36" trapezoids on top to form a lid. Be sure that the inside edge of the 2x6s are flush with the inside edges of the 2x12s. Once in place screw the 4 trapezoids together at each end, then screw the lid into the 4x4s and 2x12s as shown.
Place the planter in its location and mark where the legs will be placed. Move the planter to the side and dig the ten holes (1 for each leg) 3" deep. Be sure that the planter is level when placed in the holes.
Fill the planter half way with fill material and the second half with top soil. Lastly, fill the planter with plants.
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Shade is a very important topic for many communities when it comes to their children. The structure not only provides a bit of relief from the sun but also adds to the aesthetic quality of the overall playspace. The more inviting a gathering area is, the more likely community members will begin to treat it like the “town square” it should be.
Adults and children appreciate having plenty of seating areas in and near their playspace. Picnic tables provide seating, which encourages supervision when placed near a playground. Also, picnic tables provide opportunities for groups of people (families, friends, community members) to socialize and enjoy one another’s company. The Accessible Picnic Table comes with the added benefit of allowing adults and children with differing levels of mobility use the table together!
If a pathway is an option for enhancing your play environment, this fun way of making stepping stones is a great activity for adults and children. Be creative and add colorful bits and pieces, or fun designs to your stepping stones.