Building a Kids Playcentre

[ken0042]

I will be going to build a playcentre for my neice next weekend, and wanted to see if anybody on CP has any experience that could prove usefull.

I am torn between building one from scratch myself, and buying one of the ready made kits. I am confident enough in my framing abililties from building decks and fences that I should be able to pull this one off, but then I make up a parts list and see that I'm right up there with the kits.

Budget for this project is $600- meaning I'm counting on spending up to $800 (assuming overages.)

The other possible PITA factor is we will be building this at the cabin, so going into Winnipeg for parts will be a 1 hour drive; and there is a small "Strathmore-sized" city about 40 minutes away.

I appreciate any insight you may have.

[Methanolic]

I looked into this years ago when my Kids were younger, Buying the Timber and doing it yourself is fine, It's the "Hardware" that'll sink you.

I'd say buy the kit Ken.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Methanolic

It's the "Hardware" that'll sink you.

Do you mean things like lag bolts, joist hangers, etc? Or things like the swings, etc?

[Rathji]

Chances are you can get a 'more featured' product, with more swings, slides and what not for less money by purchasing a kit.

Chances are probably equally good that you can build a more durable structure yourself, if you know what you are doing of course.

Honestly, how long will a kid use thing kind of thing? and who cares if it falls apart in 10 year or needs a little maintenance after 5?

Buy a kit, the kids will probably be happier and you will have an easier time.

[GGG]

When I have calculated it out you can use the fittings found in the more expensive kits if you are building it yourself.

When I have looked at the $600ish kits they always seem to be unstable where the swing beam attaches to the fort part and where the two swing legs attache to the swing beam.

However if the cost and quality is the same then buy the kit as you will have plans to follow.

[MacDaddy77]

http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index....entPage=family

i bought this last year and it is really great. I can swing on the double swing with my daughter

[Clarkey]

It's probably worth checking Costco out. I remember seeing one there last year, I think it was $600 or $800 bucks. It had a lot of cool stuff like a little climbing wall.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

i bought this last year and it is really great. I can swing on the double swing with my daughter

That's not bad. So the kit came with everything you needed? Or at least almost everything? How long did it take to order- the website talks about 7-14 business days; and I leave for Winnipeg on Friday.

[Methanolic]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Do you mean things like lag bolts, joist hangers, etc? Or things like the swings, etc?

Both!

And if you add a slide (Purchased separately) It get worse.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by ken0042

That's not bad. So the kit came with everything you needed? Or at least almost everything? How long did it take to order- the website talks about 7-14 business days; and I leave for Winnipeg on Friday.

They had it in stock when I bought it last spring. Right around this time of year because I bought it with my hockey pool winnings

It had everything included and it took me about 4 hours to set up completly

One thing I added was a little kiddy pool to put at the bottom of the slide on a hot day

[GGG]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index....entPage=family

i bought this last year and it is really great. I can swing on the double swing with my daughter

How stable is where the Swing beam attaches to the swing legs? This is the attachment that type that always looks unstable to me

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by GGG

How stable is where the Swing beam attaches to the swing legs? This is the attachment that type that always looks unstable to me

It's good. Like I said I have swung on it with my daughter a few times and I'm 205lbs

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by ken0042

That's not bad. So the kit came with everything you needed? Or at least almost everything? How long did it take to order- the website talks about 7-14 business days; and I leave for Winnipeg on Friday.

You could probably pick it up locally.

[You Need a Thneed]

I was thinking of making a play structure for my kids this spring too. I was thinking that I'd buy the swings and a slide from a supplier, then build the rest myself.

Doing the work with my dad should be a lot of fun, I'd like to do the measuring, cutting and figuring.

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure your hardware is strong enough. Stuff like a swing can put a lot of force on the related hardware. Don't just put a couple of wood screws into a flush mounted bracket mounted on the bottom of your support beam.

[jayswin]

I worked at a childres play centre when I was a teenager. This helps you in no way, I can offer absolutely no advice based on my time working at a children's play cnetre, but here's my drunken post of the nighjt.

You're welcome.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index....entPage=family

i bought this last year and it is really great. I can swing on the double swing with my daughter

I think that the one I bought is either the same one or very similar. We bought it a couple of years ago and it took about a day to put together. There is a lot of hardware with these kits so not only would that cost you a fortune but I would think that the planning and then the running back to the store for that last thing alone would save you enough time to go with a kit.

I wouldn't worry about the sturdiness either. Like I say we've had ours for at least a couple of summers now and I don't think that any piece of it has broken or even come close to lifting off the ground or anything.

[amorak]

If you build it, they will come.

[ken0042]

Thanks for the suggestion everybody- especially MacDaddy. I would never have thought to check ToysR Us.

Called one of the Winnipeg locations and they have one on hold for me for this weekend!

[You Need a Thneed]

Like I said in my previous post, I'm looking to build one of these as well.

I'm currently thinking about a kit, just seems easier, and you can always customize if you want.

Who sells kits in Calgary?

So far I found:

Toys R Us
Canadian Tire
Totem
Costco

Toys R Us and Canadian Tire seem a little bit cheaper, though I'm assuming you are getting poorer quality stuff. I don't want to cheap out too much, as my oldest kids isn't even quite 3 yet, so It would be good if the thing can last (with a little maintenance of course) for 10 years.

Costco and Totem seem to sell the same brand, but Costco's online prices are a bit cheaper than Totem's (I imagine Totem would match). Those look like kits that don't include the wood. Is that correct? Anything else I need to know?

I'm assuming a place like Totem would help you with the wood requirements, even knowing exactly what you need.

Tell me all I need to know. I'm not looking for anything huge, just something to climb on, have a slide, and some swings, and generally entertain the kids for a long time.

[Shazam]

Rona, HD and Walmart also sell kits.

I'm building the Totem kit (Playstar) right now. It tells you what wood you need to purchase. There's lots of cutting involved.

At the old house, I purchased one from Rona. It came with all the wood, everything was pre-drilled.