[.uk] Build A Kids' Play Yard (ISBN 1580110010)

• Creative Homeowner Press #277662 Build Kids Play YD Book
• CREATIVE HOMEOWNER PRESS

Good in some aspects, but lacking in others.:
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.

A good book, but...:
...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.

Good How-to for Beginner Backyard Builders:
We were originally interested in this book for an easy, sturdy way to build a seesaw, but the plans for a complete gym set and surrounding equipment were easy to follow, also. The materials list and cutting guides are excellent and we had little to no waste. There were plenty of illustrations and our projects came out super! More advanced builders might find the simplicity tedious and the projects limited, but for a beginner trying to save a few bucks by doing-it-yourself, it was great.

no selection of structures:
I was very dissapointed with this book. It only has one "master" plan which includes a climbing structure, slide and swingset. The "optional" plans are simply the elimination of one of the master plan segments (e.g. without the swingset). Also, the plan is quite elaborate and expensive to build. It may be good for a church or school, but more than a typical family could undertake or afford.

Get Ready for a lot of work (It's worth it):
With my 10% off at the lumber yard I purchased material to build everything in this book for $1100 and $125 on bolts. Yes it's only one plan but it's as strong as a house. The book includes a nice three level tower, a swing beam that will probably support my truck, a 10' tall doll house, sand box, sea-saw, balance beam, oh and a monkey bar. Following all the advise on sanding, routering the timber, pre-staining will result in a beautiful play ground. Why i did not give it 5 stars. Well you do get a material list and a cut list but with so much wood you do not get a list that would list what pieces to cut from the 12' 2x6 or the 10' 2x6 or the 8' 2x6 and so on. It took me a long time to create a cut chart so as not to run out of wood. Remember, there is a lot of wood. And this did not happen often but some of the measurements are off. By 1/4 inch or so but I have tried in the past but you cannot stretch wood. So that means if it's raining and you would like to pre cut some pieces and stain them you cannot. And one more thing about this book being for a beginner. If you have the ability to dig (12) 3 foot deep and 1 foot wide holes then your no beginner. Being that there was no way to do this and then fill them with cement I rented a post hole digger and settled for 3' x 5" wide holes and filled em with dirt. While I'm at it: the measurements (even if all were correct) are only good if your 4x4 posts are dead-on. The book does show and explain how to do this. In summary if your a proud dad of 2 or more and still in your 30ies this playground will absolutely blow away any packaged system you have seen in the store.