Really big rugs

[Kate71]

Has anyone any ideas about what I can put on the ground to cover rough concrete? I do not have a back garden but there is a little lane on which my daughter can play as there is no traffic. She is almost walking but still prefers to crawl. Basically I need to know where to buy a massive, thick rug possibly with plastic back.

Hi. How about that artificial grass stuff? It looks like carpet, it's really thick and can be left out all weather, but if you don't want it to get wet it's best to put it inside at night. I think garden centres can get it for you, my minded children have it in their garden around the slide and sandpit as they are on concrete, but as both parents are away I can't find out where they got it from. Independent garden centres are more likely, or if you know someone who has a county suppiles catalogue there might be some in there.

We've looked into Astro type turf, it's quite expensive. Don't know what you're thinking about spending. We were quoted £500 for a 20 x 24 foot area (not fitted).

Could you put her in padded trousers and some gloves?

You could try getting a couple of gym mats, or even yoga mats. Primary school resource places do great big ones and they're easy to move in and out.

kate, i think you can get quite cheap exercise mats in places like Argus. Certainly most sports shops. My husband teaches sport to kiddies in different environments and in nice weather he often uses these outside when there isn't any grass available.

Kate, have you though of getting some cheap vinyl that you buy off the roll? You can normally get these for about £5 per metre, and then you could decide how much you needed. If you wanted something softer you could try bathroom carpet - might fray though, and I'm not sure how easy it would be to carry it around.

Thanks for the ideas so far. Bathroom carpet or vinyl sound good I'll investigate them at the weekend. It'll be easier when she walks, hopefully this will be soon. Maybe I should try knee protectors like skateboarders had.