To think I can just whack some fake grass straight on top of the patio?

[whyohwhy35]

House is rented and we don't envisage being here for much beyond a year (we're looking to buy). Back garden is completely covered in patio squares. I have a 4yo and crawling baby and would like to let them play out this spring/summer.

WIBU to buy some cheapish fake grass and cover the patio? I've measured up and it'd be about £70.

We’ve done this. Our patio already had a slope for drainage. We chose a thicker ‘grass’ so we didn’t need an underlay/sand. It went down last summer and has lasted really well. We occasionally hose it down.

The 4 yo won’t be rolling. Crawling baby will be crawling about.

I’d just get foam mats. The grass will feel a bit shit if you’re a crawling baby and anyway they’ll possibly be toddling by then?

I did in my old Victorian houses courtyard garden. It lasted over 5 years and is still there, they do not rot or degrade. I had it on stone paving that we had laid years before. It gave my daughter somewhere to sit and play and do cart wheels.

It also looked nice, we got quick thick plump ones like an outside mat.

The grass especially the thicker ones are fine for babies, we had a few play in the garden and for toddlers and kids.

Would it not just be permanently wet underneath? I would be concerned about it getting mouldy. If kids are crawling on it they would be inhaling mould spores.
I can’t see it being any comfier than a rug really.

Err, I beg your beeswax @Iggly but the 4yo WILL be rolling. He's autistic and likes to fling himself all over the place.

It might be naff @Finfintytint but it's the only option in this particular property.

Fine, but why add plastic? Just add a rug.

Ok I stand corrected!

Chipbark?