We've set up the Side Projects (building flower pots or benches, mosaics, murals, etc.) in an area where you can get in and really comment on them -- even change them if you see anything we put up that... well... didn't work out exactly like you thought it would. They are at:
http://kaboom.stikipad.com/sideprojects/
I'm posting this here because I'd really love to get the "voice of experience" on these. Were they really "simple"? Is there an important step that we missed (or that we didn't emphasize as much as we should have)? Did you find any helpful hints that would make any of these easier? Did you create your own side project that we can add? You can create a new page (one of the options at the right) and describe it.
Any help from you -- the REAL experts -- would be appreciated!
Amy
Hi
Has anyone completed a mural as a side project that wasn't painted directly on an outside surface? We will be painting our mural onto board (not sure what works best) and then attaching it to the fence in a quiet area on our playground. Any suggestions about what type of board material that would work the best for lasting the longest? Is there something that can be applied as a clear coat to keep the paint on longer?
Any input would be greatfully appreciated!
Pam
Hi Pam,
My name is Caleb, I'm a project manager with KaBOOM!. I recently did a four section mural that was hung on a chain-link fence in Fresno, CA at a skatepark build celebrating the legacy of Cesar Chavez. We used (4) sheets of 3/4"x4'x8' BC sanded plywood. Marine grade plywood is the most durable for outdoor weather, particularly in areas with heavy rain, but I've never purchased it due to the cost. Any outdoor use plywood should be fine, so long as you prime it before hand. Make sure to prime the edges and back as well as any holes that you drill to hang the piece. We built a simple frame out of pressure treated 2x4s to mount the sheets to making sure that we left spaces for the rails of the fence to pass through. Then we did another mural on four more sheets of plywood so that the two murals sandwiched the frame and the fencing. We used U bolts to attach the mural to the rails of the fence since the entire piece was quite heavy at this point, and since the fence was about 15' high and the mural would need to be suspended in the air. I have pictures, though I don't have a plan of the frame, that I would be happy to send you if you sent an email to KaBOOM! asking for it me to respond you you (sorry, I can't post my email here as it would become target practice for spammers :)). In terms of paint, we simply used exterior paint with a satin finish (though the finish is mostly a matter of personal preference). Behr--and I'm sure other brands of paint--sell a type of paint with the primer already added, but again, you need to make sure that every exposed surface of the plywood has been painted on. You could then use a clear coat sealer, but this is slight overkill if you've primed the wood with a couple coats. If all of this sounds too complicated or elaborate, let me also suggest free-standing murals (I can send pictures of these too). They are one of my favorite, easy ways of doing murals where you don't have walls. Simply paint your mural the same way, on 3/4" plywood, and attach it to 4'x4' posts. You can make the mural whatever size you want by attaching more sheets of plywood, or cutting the plywood down to size. Then dig holes to set the posts in the ground. I would set the posts with concrete about 2' deep in the ground. For example, if I have a 4'x8' mural, I would mount it to (2) 4'x4'x12' posts and then set the posts two feet in the ground. The effect of a mural rising 10' into the air (2' off the ground) can be dramatically appealing. You can even make them double sides by mounting murals to the backside of the posts as well. I hope this is useful. Please post again, or contact me directly if you have any questions. I'd love to see the final design.
Good luck!!
In looking at building a new playground, we will only be able to get enough equipment to handle older kids, or at least 5 years up. But we want to do something for younger kids, like 3 and 4 year olds. Are there things someone can suggest to do, that can be for younger kids, but done much less expensivley than playground equipment itself?
Thank you for posting this. We are planning abuild in about 8 weeks so this is good to have!
Deborah Raley
The sandbox is a great idea. Perhaps think about adding a top or cover. For the younger kids perhaps a playhouse. It is a great way to encourage imaginative play. You could even customize it for your site. This is a great project for carpenter or someone with a little construction experience.
wwa-
That's fantastic! I find that the majority of the communities that I build in end up building upon their playground planning experience to continue to do great things. That is probably the best part of having a community built playground; the build brings everyone together, and they stay together to continue to do more great work!
Will,
Thanks for posting your question. One suggestion that I have is to ask the younger kids what they would like and then work with the resources your commmunity has to do what is feasible. Sure, they may suggest items that are impossible, but you may be able to pull some ideas from their thoughts. A few ideas I have built or seen on other projects are: a sandbox and water play area, a trike path (made from compacted base rock or donated asphalt or concrete), a stage or wooden playhouse. I hope these ideas helped.
It could also be fun to add fake dinosaur bones or smooth, large rocks with fossils embedded in them to the sandbox. These items could be hidden, and imagine the fun kids can have discovering these things! It could also be used to teach about fossilization, extinction, paleontology. It is just one easy way to make an ordinary sandbox a lot more exciting and educational.
Will and all who are looking for side projects for younger ones,
I love the discussions about sand boxes -- those are so great. You can get wonderful covers (if you need to cover your box) off of ebay for much less than many retailers I have researched.
I have seen beautiful trike tracks painted on large areas of sidewalk or asphalt -- they don't necessarily need to be something constructed. I knew of a group who found a kids' rug with all sorts of Safety Town-type logoing on it, and they basically translated that to a large-scale trike world on the asphalt.
Sensory gardens are fantastic as well. You'll need to do a bit of research here -- some plants thrive in warmer areas and you'll want to be sure everything's non-toxic. But do incorporate elements of touch, smell, sight, and (perhaps) taste. Honeysuckle is wonderful for this element.
Good luck!
Christine
I definitely recommend installing a cover for your sandbox unless you want it to become a litterbox for the neighborhood cats. A cheap, easy way to do this is by using vinyl tarps (the type sold at The Home Depot), eye bolts and bungee cords.
First, find one or more tarps that fit the size and shape of your sandbox. The tarp will have an eyelet in each corner. Hook short bungee cords to each eyelet and attach the other end to an eye bolt that has been fastened to a corner/side of the sandbox.
Be careful that your eye bolts do not protrude more than necessary from the sandbox side to avoid a safety hazard for children.
Good luck and have fun!
Save and share this conversation by clicking the 'Bookmark This' button.