Safety Considerations Before Choosing Playground Surface Material

The material you use for the surface for your playground is one of the most important safety decisions you will make. By installing a shock-absorbing surface under and around your equipment, you can reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries. There are a variety of suitable materials that can be used, but it is important to adhere to the depth standards set out by ASTM F1292. These standards are based not only on the material, but the height of your equipment, so be sure you consider your options carefully.

In addition to ASTM F1292 and your material choice, keep in mind variables like how level and consistent the ground is, as dips or rises can alter the amount of material that is needed.

NOTE: If you use loose fill material, expect some compression after installation and incorporate that into your fill level. For instance, an initial fill level of 12 inches of loose fill will compress to about 9 inches over time.

What Is the Best and Safest Playground Surface Material?

Depending on the play area and equipment, there are a number of materials that can be viable options for playgrounds, including:

• Wood chips
• Artificial turf
• Rubber mulch
• Sand
• Pea gravel

The size of the equipment, budget, ground and climate are just a few of the factors that will come into play when choosing the right material for a playground surface. If you’re looking for help choosing, this guide will give an overview of each of these surface materials and how they can be used safely.

Wood Chips

Wood chips have been one of the most popular materials for playground surfaces for years, offering a high level of shock absorption at a relatively low cost. The chips are also easy to install and are available in a variety of colors. However, alternatives are being used more and more often.

Are wood chips a safe surface for your child’s playground?

On the whole, yes. Wood chips at a compressed surface depth of 9 inches offer protection from fall heights of up to 10 feet. However, they can also be a choking hazard for very young children, may cause splinters and do require maintenance to ensure the entire area stays at a safe depth. Additionally, wood chips do not qualify as accessible according to the ADA, limiting who is able to enjoy the playground.

Artificial Turf

While not ideal for all situations, artificial turf can be a safe, highly accessible and aesthetically pleasing surface for playgrounds. Artificial turf requires less upkeep and maintenance than most other solutions, so if installation is handled correctly then there is a relatively low amount of additional work to do.

Is artificial turf a safe surface for your child’s playground?

As long as artificial turf is installed properly, it can be safe for use for playgrounds. Proper installation includes the correct amount of padding beneath the turf — this is an instance when adherence to ASTM F1292 standards is crucial and going above and beyond might be needed. Artificial turf also requires good drainage since the turf will not absorb or drain water like natural materials. Turf also gets hotter than other materials, so a cooling infill or ensuring your playground has enough shade is important for safe use in warm weather.

Rubber Mulch

Rubber mulch has rapidly become one of the most popular play area surface materials, and for good reason. It provides excellent shock absorption, is a sustainable way to reuse rubber tires and is highly durable. While it can be heavier than other materials and more expensive to replace, it lasts longer and needs far less maintenance and topping off. Some people worry about chemicals from the rubber leaching out of the rubber, but most high-quality suppliers remove any harmful substances during the manufacturing process — just be sure to do your research before you buy.

How Does Rubber Mulch Differ From Wood Chips?

While they are similar in form factor and shock absorption, there are significant differences between rubber mulch and wood chips.

• Rubber mulch is more sustainable, as it is a 100% recycled product
• There is no danger of splinters with rubber mulch
• Wood chips are cheaper
• Rubber mulch needs replacing or topping off less often
• Wood chips break down faster
• Rubber mulch is heavier, so it will require more effort if you do need to move it around

Is rubber mulch a safe surface for your child’s playground?

Yes — rubber mulch is one of the safest playground materials you can use, especially if you are buying rubber mulch that is free of any harmful chemicals. In fact, it only takes about 6 inches of rubber mulch to protect children from a falling height of 10 feet.

Sand

What if you’re looking for a wood or rubber mulch alternative for your playground? Sand has been a common playground surface material throughout the years and can be used safely in the right situations. Sand is especially useful for playgrounds with shorter equipment, as it does not have quite the same shock absorption properties as rubber or wood.

Is sand a safe surface for your child’s playground?

Sand can be a safe material, but it will require some extra work. For instance, 9 inches of sand is only rated for protecting fall heights of 4 feet — it can take up to a full foot of sand to be safe for fall heights of 6 feet. Additionally, you need to make sure the sand you use is free of harmful elements like silicone and asbestos. Accessibility concerns are also an issue with sand, as it is much more difficult for people with disabilities to navigate.

Pea Gravel

Another mulch alternative used for playgrounds is pea gravel. This is an all-natural material that is used in a variety of landscaping and decorative applications, but it can also be used as a playground surface. It is fairly low-cost and easy to maintain, although it will require frequent raking to even out the depth. Pea gravel is also excellent for drainage and fairly easy to install, even as a DIY project.

How Does Pea Gravel Differ From Sand?

Pea gravel can’t have harmful silica or asbestos materials in it, making it easier to find quality options. It also has slightly better shock absorption properties than sand. Depending on where you buy it, it can also be a slightly cheaper option. Both will require raking for maintenance, but pea gravel breaks down at a rate that will require more frequent replacement.

Is pea gravel a safe surface for your child’s playground?

If your playground is relatively low height, pea gravel can be a safe material to use — 9 inches of pea gravel is rated to protect from falls of 5 feet. Since it can move and shift readily, pea gravel must also be well-maintained in order to provide adequate protection, even at relatively low heights. While it can be safe in certain situations, pea gravel is not the most universally safe material to use for your playground surface.

Get Started With Rainbow Play!

Ready to start looking at the funnest, safest and highest-quality playsets on the market? Check out Rainbow Play’s selection of Castle Swing Sets, Clubhouse Playsets and even the extraordinary Pirate Ship Playset! Once you’ve found the perfect playset, you can use this guide to pick the safest surface for your family.