Best toddler play surface?

[curlyclaz13]

We rent our house so can't do much outside, but currently we have a stabbed area and a sandy/gravel area. There is a very thin layer of gravel so we were thinking of raking it up and putting bark chipping down so our toddler can play out more safely. The issue is cats using it as a giant litter tray, we have two and seem to attract all the neighborhood cats, at the moment they do use the gravel. Can anyone suggest either an alternative surface or a cat detergent that doesn't involve spraying chemicals everywhere?

Cat deterrent not detergent!

Is grass too obvious as an answer? I would agree bark won't work as surely it's always a bit soggy?

Nowhere to store lawnmower so grass a bit impractical. Garden is quite small about 6ft by 15ft

Those giant foam tiles?

We've used recycled tyre pieces that have been impregnated with smell cats don't like. Toddler loves shovelling them around and they are bouncy. Come in lots if different colours. We've put them on a concrete surface with cemented in swing and play house/slide not cemented in.

Cats love bark chippings!

Here is same sort of stuff www.re-bound.co.uk/for-Play-Areas-Re-Bound-Play-Safe-Rubber-Chippings_p17.aspx

Fake grass is not that expensive, easy to lay yourself and cats don't shit on it. Also they don't get dirty on it/try to eat it...

I've got two suggestions.

1. grass and you cut your lawn with a weed wacker. Grass is great for a kid because it has great texture and it's no bug deal if its eaten.

2. clover: same as above and no cutting involved

3. A covered sand/bark chipping box., you can buy them or make one here is an example of one you can make offbeathome.com/2014/01/diy-sandbox
   what is nice with this one is that the space is usable when closed so great for a small garden. Obviously you can use an other material than an old fire hose.

ok that's 3 ideas.

Cats don't like larger gravel. That slatey purply grey stuff would work if you wanted to stay with the gravel.