If you are looking for the best playground borders, this article is for you. We understand that shopping for the right playground equipment can be daunting.
Our picks at a glance
- #1Best Budget
Playsafer 4' Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds (details below)
- #2Best Overall
Playsafer 72" Long Commercial Flexible Heavy Duty Rubber Playground Border (details below)
- #3Top Pick
- #4Best Design
- #5Best Durable
To help you out, we researched and put together a list of the five best playground borders in the market today. Stick with us through the end, and learn how these will help you with your playground installation.
In a hurry?
If you don’t have much time please check the table below for quick access to our favorites. Detailed guide below.
Playsafer 4' Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds (1 Pack, Terra Cotta)
Playsafer 72" Long Commercial Flexible Heavy Duty Rubber Playground Border (Brown, 4 Inche…
FlexiStack 4 Foot Rubber Border - Package of 4 - Landscaping, Gardening, or Playground Edg…
Beuta Landscape Edging | Garden Edging Border | Polyrock Blocks for Lawn Edging, Flower Be…
Grass Barrier - Landscape Edging - 10" inch Depth - (80 feet)
| #1Best Budget | #2Best Overall | #3Top Pick | #4Best Design | #5Best Durable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | | | | Popular on AmazonOn sale (as of Oct 7, 7:55 AM ET, Details) | |
| Product | Playsafer 4' Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds (1 Pack, Terra Cotta) | Playsafer 72" Long Commercial Flexible Heavy Duty Rubber Playground Border (Brown, 4 Inche… | FlexiStack 4 Foot Rubber Border - Package of 4 - Landscaping, Gardening, or Playground Edg… | Beuta Landscape Edging | Garden Edging Border | Polyrock Blocks for Lawn Edging, Flower Be… | Grass Barrier - Landscape Edging - 10" inch Depth - (80 feet) |
| Buy | Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon | Check at Amazon |
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How to Choose the Best Playground Borders
When shopping for playground boundaries, you need to consider a few factors that will help you get the best product. Here are some of those factors:
Consider durability
You want a border that will last long. Since it is something that will stay for a long time, you want to choose the best material possible; one that does not break down over time or corrode easily.
Material
Playground borders come in different materials. They include plastic, rubber, and wood.
Rubber borders are the most durable and long-lasting. They do not corrode, and they can withstand extreme weather conditions such as heat and cold without cracking or breaking down.
However, you should still consider your location before choosing the material. Rubber borders are excellent for indoor playgrounds, but they are slippery in the outdoors.
Wood borders, on the other hand, are great for outdoor playgrounds because of their aesthetic appeal. They’re not as durable as rubber, so be sure to install them carefully and do regular upkeep checks if you choose this material.
Plastic is another option that’s a little more affordable. However, they are not as long-lasting as rubber borders and require a lot of maintenance with regular upkeep checks to ensure they stay in good condition for your playground.
Check for UV resistance
UV rays from the sun can damage playground structures over time because plastic is a very good material for storing heat energy that easily turns into light energy in the form of ultraviolet rays.
The best playground boundaries should be made with materials that resist the harmful effects of sunlight to prevent any significant damage to your playground structure’s stability and safety standards (i.e., cracks).
Ease of installation
Since playground equipment borders come in different materials and designs, some may be easier than others when it comes to installation. Some require professional help, while others can do it by themselves (DIY).
So consider this before settling on a product.
Safety
You want to choose a border that will not pose any safety risks for your children. It should be made of sturdy material, stable and not wobble when stepped on, and have rounded edges to prevent injuries from falls or knocks with other kids.
Height of the boundaries
Choose a playground boundary that is high enough so it is easily seen but low enough so that your kids don’t trip and hurt themselves on the structure.
Size of your playground
Playground boundaries come in different sizes, so choose one that is suitable for your needs and requirements.
If, for example, you have a small backyard or limited space for installation, go with smaller ones, while larger options are great if you have more space to work on and want something bigger than average.
There’s no right or wrong size when it comes to playing areas; just make sure they fit well within the available setup area of your playground equipment set up so there’s enough room for kids who will be playing on them.
5 Best Playground Borders
Here are the five best playground borders on the market. Each item on this list has key features, pros, and cons, in no particular order.
We will also tell you why we think each item is a good fit depending on your preference. Let’s get to it:
Playsafer 4′ Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds
Verdict Given the material of this product and how easy it is to install, the Playsafer Edging is a good choice if you are looking for an affordable, safe, yet durable playground border.
The Playsafer 4' Flexible Interlocking Rubber Edging for Playgrounds is a beautiful rubber playground border edging that is UV resistant, durable, and easy to install.
This product comes with stakes for stability and caps on the edges of the playground surface where it meets other structures like fences or walls.
You can also use this as a barrier between your lawn and garden beds if you want more visual appeal since they are available in different colors - green, blue, brown, yellowish-brown (mocha), redwood browns, silver grey.
Each edge has rounded corners, which lowers the risk of injury from bumps or falls against them. The unit comprises individual panels measuring three feet wide by four inches high by 48 inches long which easily interlock together using its flexible design even on uneven surfaces within your playground.
The Playsafer Edging can be installed on any surface without requiring too much effort or professional help. It comes with a user manual, so everything should be easy to follow, even if you have to do it yourself.
Key Features
- Product dimensions: 48' x 3'x 4'
- Weight: 13 lbs
- Material: Rubber
- It comes with stakes and caps
Pros
- UV resistance
- Flexible design that's easy to install
- Round edges for safety and stability
- Affordable
- It comes with caps and stakes
- It comes in a neutral tone that's compatible with any playground surfacing
- Eco-friendly; it is made from recycled rubber
Cons
- Interlocking panels may not stay in place very well compared.
Playsafer 72″ Commercial Rubber Playground Border, 4″ Tall
Playsafer 72" Commercial Rubber Playground Border
Verdict Overall, this is a good choice of playground border as it is versatile enough to be installed in parks or areas around your property. Plus, the sections bend, so they follow a curved play area as easily as a straight one.
The Playsafer Commercial Rubber Playground Border is made of heavy-duty, flexible rubber and comes in 72-inch sections with pre-drilled holes for easy installation.
It is made to mark the edge of a play area and hold loose fill like wood mulch or rubber mulch in place, and because it bends, you can run it in curves as well as straight lines.
Rubber is a softer edge than wood or stone if a child bumps into it, and Playsafer says it holds its shape through hot and cold weather.
The sections interlock at 68 inches, so each piece gives you about 5.6 linear feet of border. Ground anchors and caps are included, so you don't need to buy hardware separately.
Key Features
- Material: Heavy-duty commercial rubber
- Size: 72" long, 4" tall sections (about 5.6 linear feet each once interlocked)
- Color: Brown
- Pre-drilled, with ground anchors and caps included
Pros
- Heavy-duty rubber that's easy to install
- Softer edge than wood or stone
- Flexible sections can be curved
- Made to hold loose fill in playgrounds and parks
- Anchors and caps included
- It doesn't require a lot of maintenance
Cons
- At 4 inches tall it holds back less than the 9 inches of loose fill CPSC recommends under home play equipment; Playsafer also sells an 8-inch version
- Heavier to move than plastic edging
FlexiStack 4-Foot Rubber Border – Landscaping, Gardening, or Playground Edging
FlexiStack 4 Foot Rubber Border
Verdict The FlexiStack rubber border is a good choice if looking for an almost maintenance-free solution at home or around your property and can be used in various areas.
This boundary has a patented interlocking system that makes installing and uninstalling with no tools needed.
It is also lightweight, so you can easily move them around depending on your kids playing in the yard, playground, park, or landscaped area.
The FlexiStack rubber border - package of four is made from flexible recycled rubber, which means it has rounded edges for safety. This material won't crack even if there are freezing temperatures outside or when used outdoors for an extended period.
Since they're light yet durable, these borders come with convenient handles at the top, making transportation easier than ever before. They're available in different colors, such as black, brown and green.
Key Features
- Overall dimensions: 48" long x 4" wide x 4.5" tall
- Weight: 72 lbs
- Material: Flexible rubber
- Colors: Black, Brown, Green, Red
- Patent-pending interlocking system
Pros
- Rounded edges for safety and stability
- Lightweight yet durable material,
- It won't crack or break even in freezing temperatures.
- It can be used outdoors without much maintenance needed since the recycled rubber is flexible enough to absorb impact from children bumping into them.
- It comes with convenient handles at the top part of each panel so you can easily move them
- Multiple color options
- Multiple applications depending on where you want to install them, such as a playground, landscape edging, etc.
Cons
- Relatively more expensive than other products on this list
Beuta Polyrock Landscape Edging Blocks, Greystone
Beuta Polyrock Landscape Edging Blocks
Verdict The Beuta Polyrock Landscape Edging is a good choice if you want something more stylish yet simple to install and doesn’t require much maintenance. It is also great for multiple applications depending on where you want to use it, such as flower beds, landscaping, playgrounds, etc.
Beuta Landscape Edging is made of Polyrock blocks that look like natural stone, and Beuta says the material resists rust, fading and corrosion.
It works as a border along grass, mulch, gravel or soil, and it keeps mulch in place around playgrounds, trees, flower beds and walkways.
The blocks join with Beuta's patent-pending connection system, and you hammer in the included spikes to hold them. Five block types (start, stop, turn left, turn right and extender) let you run straight lines, corners or curves, and the greystone color gives your garden area a finished, stone-like look.
Each section is six blocks long, and the pack comes with 8 spikes.
Key Features
- Product dimensions: 48" long x 4" wide x 6.5" tall per section (4 sections)
- 8 spikes included
- Material: Polyrock
- Multiple applications
Pros
- Easy to set up with the included spikes
- Stone-look greystone blocks
- Blocks connect with a patent-pending system
- Rust-, fade- and corrosion-resistant
- It doesn't require much maintenance
- Suitable for multiple applications, including landscaping, playgrounds, flower beds, etc.
Cons
- At 6.5 inches tall it is shorter than the 9 inches of loose fill CPSC recommends under home play equipment, so it suits garden beds better than deep playground mulch
Grass Barrier – Landscape Edging
Grass Barrier - Landscape Edging
Verdict I would recommend this product if you are looking for a durable yet affordable plastic playground edging that is flexible enough to be moved around with ease and doesn’t require much maintenance.
If you are looking for a durable plastic boundary for playgrounds, the grass Barrier - Landscape Edging is a good choice with its 100% recycled plastic material.
It has puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds when installed properly and can last for many years even when used outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions, including freezing temperatures.
It comes in multiple lengths, so you don't have to cut it if your desired length doesn't match those available, giving you more flexibility than ever before and saving time and money on the installation part itself, which is not an easy task any means.
These borders are lightweight yet sturdy, allowing you to move them around effortlessly using their convenient handles without much effort at all. You will also be able to install them easily since they come with pre-marked holes that snuggly into each other for a more efficient installation process.
Key Features
- Material" 100% recycled plastic
- Weight:: 34 pounds
- Product dimensions: 12 x 12 x 10 inches
- Comes in multiple lengths: 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 150, 300 ft. options
- Puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds of force
- It can last up to 100 years
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy enough to be moved around with ease
- Puncture resistance of up to 200 pounds
- Easy installation
- It comes in multiple lengths, so you don't have to cut it if your desired length doesn't match those available, saving time
- Very flexible
- Perfect for multiple uses such as playgrounds, landscaping, or flower beds
Cons
- No stakes included
How do I Install Playground Borders?
Installing playground borders is easy. Most products come with installation manuals, so you can follow those instructions.
Most products also come with stakes which you need to pound into the ground for support and then attach your panels using their connection system. Here are a few tips on installing playground boundaries:
Outline the Playground Area
You will need a tape measure and a shovel to mark the area where you want your border. You want to be precise here, so you have a perfect border. Before doing this we recommend you prepare the ground.
Measure and Mark
Measure out the length of the borders using a tape measure and make marks at each end with a stake or marker, then take those measurements from one side of the marked line to another.
Water Down the Playground Edges
This is an important step because it will make it easier for you to dig the holes for your stakes or hammer pins and spikes.
Draft Your Placement
Most rubber edgings are hole-free, which makes installation. This also allows for a completely personalized appearance.
With that in mind, you must spend some time planning your border placement. Setting the edging down allows you to make any adjustments or changes to get the best appearance.
If you choose rounded edges, now is the time to plan it because rubber edging is flexible and malleable, giving you more freedom in the overall final appearance.
Dig holes/place pins or stakes: The final step is to place the stakes or pins in the holes that you’ve dug for them.
Make sure to pound them all down firmly and keep your edging as level as possible, which is why it’s a good idea to have someone around who can help with this process if necessary.
If you want something more permanent, metal spikes are available at most hardware stores and can be hammered into the ground for added support.
Once complete if needed you can fill the area with some type of material like mulch or pea gravel.
Playground Border FAQ
Conclusion
Getting the best playground borders can be challenging. As we have seen, there’s a lot that goes into deciding what the best option is. All of the factors we listed in the buying guide should be considered to ensure that you are getting the right fit for your particular playground area.
The products on this list were all selected for their durability, safety features, and ease of installation.
We hope our guide has helped you learn more about what you need to look for in the best playground border options. Next, it’s time to start planning your DIY Swing Set.
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