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

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

Highly recommend!:
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.

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.