If you have children and a garden, you would like to create play opportunities for the children there. Often a sandpit is built first, then the swing follows. If there is still enough space, you can think about a climbing frame.
What should you consider when building a climbing frame yourself?
To build a climbing frame yourself, you need technical knowledge, suitable tools, building instructions, wooden materials and anchoring accessories. Work carefully and check the stability before releasing the climbing frame.
You can build a climbing frame yourself with a little craftsmanship. However, you should definitely carry out the work carefully, as sloppiness or inaccuracy can quickly come at the expense of safety. A certain level of physical resilience is another requirement, as the wood to be processed is not inconsiderable.
Which tool and knowledge do I need?
A climbing frame shouldn't be your first craft. It makes sense if you are familiar with using tools, taking precise measurements and working carefully. A cordless screwdriver is in almost every toolbox, as is sandpaper and a jigsaw. As an experienced craftsman, you probably already have a folding rule, a 90 degree metal angle and screw clamps.
However, since you have a lot of wood to work with and thick posts to saw, we may recommend purchasing a cross-cut and miter saw (€199.00 on Amazon) and/or a belt sander. You will also need a sledgehammer to drive in the ground sockets.
Where can I get building instructions and materials?
The Internet is a veritable treasure trove of building instructions of all kinds. However, make sure that the instructions come from a competent craftsman. DIY and gardening magazines occasionally also contain building instructions for play equipment, which may also be available for download on their website.
You can get the material for your new climbing frame either from a well-stocked hardware store or from a wood dealer. The hardware store may even have the posts in stock in the required length, but unfortunately wood dealers usually don't.
You may want to ask your wood dealer whether the employees will cut the posts to the required length for you. With a bit of luck, you won't even have to pay anything for it. You'll also save the cost of a crosscut and miter saw if you don't already have one.
Do I have to encase the climbing frame in concrete?
A climbing frame has to be well secured but does not necessarily have to be set in concrete. The greater the strain and the larger the climbing frame, the more important it is to have solid anchoring. We recommend setting it in concrete, especially if several children can do gymnastics or play on the scaffolding at the same time.
Step by step to building your own climbing frame:
- Realistically assess your own craft skills
- choose the appropriate building instructions
- Get materials
- borrow or buy any tools you may need
- be sure to work carefully and, above all, measure
- anchor firmly!
Tip
Make sure that the climbing frame is well anchored so that the frame is stable and nothing can happen even under greater strain.