Ground cover for kids play area

[RenovatingHouseWithKids]

I’m not sure if this is in the right section - I was torn between gardening and home decoration...

I’m feeling lost. Does anyone have any advice on what to put on the ground in a kids play area? We’re soon to start landscaping our garden but can’t decide what to put there. There will be a playhouse, climbing frame with swing and side and an in ground trampoline, with a simply planted border around the edges.

Our initial thought was play bark but we’re quickly put off by others saying it disintegrates quickly and the thought of cats using it as a litter tray. Turf would be the easiest initially but we aren’t good at keeping on top of the mowing. Artificial turf would be nice but it’s probably beyond our price range and actually I’ve noticed it gets very hot for little feet in the sunshine. Pea gravel would be another easy one to do but might be a bit hard on hands and feet falling over.

I feel like I’m exhausting the options... maybe I’m being too fussy. Any brilliant ideas would be appreciated!

I don't know what the actual name is but what about the squashy black 'tarmac' (it is 100% not tarmac haha) that they use on play parks? I have zero idea on cost though!

lol I know exactly the thing you mean. Also have no idea what it’s called but you’ve described it perfectly! I wonder if they do it in different colours? Off to have a look. Thanks for the idea!

It is called wetpour and can come in different colours. However it is not cheap and needs some preparation. Playground tiles might be a better option. Bark and sand need regular topping up.

Gah, reading some scary things about toxicity of rubber based playgrounds. Also apparently a fire risk (in the unlikely event it set on fire it would be pretty unstoppable and toxic).
Really like the idea of having a sand pit but not on the ground because of the cats pooping in it. Love cats but rather not have their excreetment in the play area.
I’ll lol at tiles now. Thanks, ladies!

You know what I would suggest?

I would use anything you fancy but cat proof your garden so no cats get in

There are two types, a bamboo roller type system and a mesh wire system.
I will try and find images to show you...

Roller system, mesh system and mesh system with wood posts

The roller system actually looks quite nice. It wouldn’t work for us (too many hedges used as boundary rather than fencing) but good to know! Thanks, snappy!

I might have talked myself into pea gravel now. Having done more and more research it seems to be recommended even by professional installers. Then if we’re still in this house when the kids leave home or don’t want the play area any more we can keep the gravel and turn into a rustic dining area!

You can get rubber matting which is used for cattle sheds and stables. Prob less expensive than bespoke playground stuff.
And sorry to tell you, but cats like pooing in pea gravel