completed Play deck

[LCHIEN]

Here's the completed play deck and satisfied customer. A steering wheel, a horn and a telescope... ready to explore the world!

I had to make it in sections that could be built and tested at my house then disassembled and transported to his back yard. the last 8 pics or so show the reverse disassembly so its the order in which it went back together at his place. I designed everything from scratch. Used some salvaged fence materials (4x4 treated pine & cedar fence boards) when they tore out my old fence and some new cedar fence boards. Some Amazon play stuff, a horn from ebay, and some PVC pipe and flexible drainage tubing. The main deck portion is 3'x3'. When I disassembled it, it all fit in my Subaru Outback!

Its supposed to evoke the feelings of being elevated, having your own room, having a pirate ship at your command (the Poop deck?). The ball run, steering wheel and the gate are favorites... he loves to open and close doors. Not sure he knows what a telescope is yet, and he doesn't have the hand strength to operate the horn, yet.
Thanks to those who provided suggestions when I asked. I made the gate fit perfectly then you guys had me trim 5/8" clearances on either side to prevent pinched fingers... broke my heart to do it but it was a good idea.


P.s. The item in the last picture to the left is a balance beam... or maybe for walking the plank...

[atgcpaul]

Nice job, Loring. I especially like ball drop with pipes.

[LCHIEN]

see, it fit in the car!

[Pappy]

Does appear to be one happy little pirate! And right now grandpa is his favorite mate...

[greenacres2]

Great work!! Our daughter-in-law has been in and out of labor with our first since Saturday--can't wait. She feels the same way!!

earl

[chopnhack]

Good work Loring!

[LCHIEN]

Nice job, Loring. I especially like ball drop with pipes.

that was my wife's idea, I didn't want to do it at first but she insisted and it was a good idea. I had to work out the details. Her inspiration was one featured in Lowe's home magazine using plastic gutter sections and downspouts. We looked at the downspouts and they were so mishapen and fit together so poorly I couldn't imagine making them work on a small scale. The flex tubing makes a wonderful noise as the balls go through, that turned out to be brilliant.

[cabinetman]

Kids love play areas like that. As a safety note, make sure no sharp edges, or slivers.

.

[leehljp]

see, it fit in the car!

THAT took some planning to make it so that it would do that!

Nice looking!

[steve-norrell]

Great idea and nicely done. Should keep the little ones entertained for hours and be a strong 'playmate magnet'.

Regards, Steve.

[LCHIEN]

Kids love play areas like that. As a safety note, make sure no sharp edges, or slivers.

.

new trim router and roundover bit got a good workout cleaning off the sharp edges. We kind of monitored his early use watching for potential safety hazards.

[cabinetman]

Some years back I made up some kids furniture and outdoor play sets and the stores that were selling them wanted them in kit form to be RTA by the homeowner. I was provided a long list of structural and safety guidelines that had to be followed. Some of those you wouldn't think would be a problem. One I remember about cribs involved how to finish off the top rails so nothing could get caught or bound. But still, with all due care, kids can find a way to get in trouble. Supervision is still tops on my safety list.

.

[Black wallnut]

Great project Loring. I agree with your wife, things like the ball drop can entertain a kid for hours. That pirate must be the coolest kid in his neighborhood now.

[tommyt654]

Man I would have loved somethin like that as a kid.all we got were box's and a rope swing with a tire,nice work Loring