Build A Kids' Play Yard [Paperback]

Jeff Beneke Mr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 1997

Build a Kids' Play Yard is a complete guide to building a wide range of outdoor play structures, including a central tower to which a swing set and monkey bar can be attached in various configurations or built as stand-alones. In addition, there are various sandboxes, a playhouse, a teeter-totter, a ground-hugging balance beam, and even a kids'-size picnic table. Beginning with chapters on planning, tools, materials, and construction and finishing, the book then presents the projects themselves in lucid presentations that have become Creative Homeowner hallmarks. All projects were designed to conform with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines. For any parent considering play yard equipment, this book is an essential guide.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent resource for homeowners who want to build their own playset: Build a Kids' Play Yard."
- Los Angeles Times syndicate

"Creative Homeowner... introduces Build a Kids' Play Yard, perfect for any do-it-yourself parent. The book contains more than 200 color drawings and 20 color photos to illustrate the easy step-by-step instructions."
Source: The Birmingham News
June 21, 1998

From the Back Cover

Build a Kids' Play Yard provides detailed plans and step-by-step instructions for creating the structures that kids love most. All were designed to conform with guidelines by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

You'll find more than a dozen projects, including Central Tower with slide, Swing Beam, Monkey Bar, Playhouse, Picnic Table, Teeter-Totter, two balance beams, and several sandboxes.

Some projects are modular. For example, the Central Tower, Swing Beam, and Monkey Bar can be built to stand alone or to connect as one deluxe Kids' Playland. Here, you have the option to adjust project heights to suit child age. And because kids like to move from one activity to another, it's wise to build at least several structures.

Construction is straightforward, requiring mainly basic cutting, drilling, and fastening. Procedures are clearly illustrated, step by step. Plus, you get complete guidance on selecting tools and materials-and on using tools safely.

In addition to all this, these structures are fun. Whether you decide to do the building yourself or hire a carpenter, your kids are sure to enjoy the results.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner (December 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580110010
• ISBN-13: 978-1580110013
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #536,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend!, March 11, 2000

By 

Phx. Featherwomon (The foothills of California.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Build A Kids' Play Yard (Paperback)

My partner and I are beginning to intermediate woodworker/builders. We found this book very informative. It shows very easy to read illustrations for various projects, from fairly simple balance beams and swing set to more complex tower structures. It also has recommendations and modifications for younger and older kids. What I liked about it, as a beginner, is that each project is simply illustrated and diagrammed with a materials list right down to the nuts and bolts! The author also has information and diagrams on how to use the various power equipment needed to perform the work plus a wealth of safety information. If you like the look of handsome, well constructed, wooden play structures this is the book for you.

The only thing it lacks is incorporating recycled materials into the play yard.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good in some aspects, but lacking in others., August 2, 2000

By 

Brian Darrow - See all my reviews

This review is from: Build A Kids' Play Yard (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book which features plans for multiple types of play yards, then this is not the book for you. The book does have some redeming features, however. The first couple of chapters discuss basics such as useful tools, pros and cons of different materials, and standard safety practices. It was these first few chapters which I found very useful as I began to design a play yard for my children. The rest of the book describes how to build the play yard featured on the book's cover. If you're looking for a solid, fun play yard and don't have creative aspirations of your own, then the featured play yard is, indeed, very functioanl and fun. If, however, you're looking for many different styles and ideas to incorporate into your own design, then look elsewhere. Overall, the book was a good starting point to learn more about what goes into a play yard.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good book, but..., April 3, 2001

By 

Lisa S. (St. Johns, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Build A Kids' Play Yard (Paperback)

...it only has one design for each component. We were hoping for a book that had several designs in it (at least for a play yard). The play yard plan included is the one you see on the front of the book. It also includes one plan each for a playhouse, covered sandbox, balance beam, picnic table, and teeter-totter. The book is still VERY helpful on tools needed, wood to choose and other basics, but the materials lists and such won't work if you aren't going to build exactly what's in the book.