We must design an outdoor playset for a 2-year-old that enjoys climbing and motor skills activities.
We must design an outdoor playset for a 2-year-old that enjoys climbing and motor skills focused mechanisms. Items/features we are looking to include is/are slide(s), multiple ways to climb, and motor skills play mechanisms. The child enjoys climbing and slides, so have both of these are a crucial part of the playset. He also enjoys mechanical things to be able to play and mess with. The child has a self harm tendancy, so including all of these features while also ensuring the child’s safety is top priority.
Public Playground Safety Handbook: Public Playground Safety Handbook | CPSC.gov
For this project we researched different kinds of playsets which are similar to the design specifications we want to meet. We also were able to find a playground safety handbook which would help us make a design which would ensure the kids safety. We also looked into different sensory items to attach to the playset to make it a little more interesting.
This design includes two stories, a slide, and a door to enter the first floor. This design meets all design specifications, except having steps to reach the second floor instead of a climbing wall. The estimated cost of this design is roughly $1000. This leaves us with enough budget to modify the playset to better suit our needs.
The design meets all of the desired specifications. This design has two stories, a slide, rock climbing wall, and plenty of room for toys and accessories. This design is very roomy with the main body of the playset being 8′ x 8′. This design is on the more expensive side with a price of roughly $1,300 just for the materials for the structure. This design also takes into consideration the slope of the land where the family wants it placed. There is roughly 5′ of head room on the upper end and 6.5′ on the lower end.
For our project, we decided to choose concept 1. Using a design matrix, we were able to determine that it would be the most cost effective and time effective choice. The lower price will allow use to add more features to the playset and still stay within our desired budget.
Our selected design is a two-story wooden house. The first floor has two working half doors and walls with built in ledges. There are two benches on the front of the house. The second floor features a wraparound balcony with a ladder entrance, and a wave slide to exit. The roof is metal which is optimal for weather resistance. This playset leaves us with enough budget to modify it’s design, making it better suit the child and family we are working with.
Our playset includes a maze wall and a spinnable gearset for the child. Since we know he likes fidgeting with items, this will suit him very well. We also plan on converting the second-floor steps into a simple climbing wall, making it more engaging. Some extra safety modifications will also be made to make sure the child will be safe when playing. One of the defining design choices is its two-level structure, which builds upward rather than outward to save yard space while still offering multiple play zones. The upper level includes a wraparound balcony and a partially enclosed roof area, giving children an elevated vantage point and a sense of separation between “floors.” This vertical layering encourages imaginative play where kids can treat the top as a lookout, bedroom, or clubhouse. The ground level is designed to mimic a miniature home or storefront, emphasizing interaction and pretend play. It includes working half-doors on both the front and back, allowing for multiple entry points that support group play and movement flow. In front, double bench seating creates a social gathering space, along with built-in ledges and windows. Another key design feature is how the playhouse incorporates physical activity directly into its structure. Access to the upper level is provided by a rear ladder, which adds a climbing component and keeps the front visually open. For descent, the playhouse uses a high-rail wave slide, designed with gentle slopes for repeated use and safer landings. This pairing of climb-and-slide creates a continuous movement loop, encouraging active play rather than just stationary use of the structure.
This analysis shows the cumulative weight of the entire project with the exception of some miscellaneous hardware.
With 250 lbs of vertical loading at the center of the slide, analysis shows 0.4 inches of deflection with a factor of safety of 3.
ANSYS shows 0.01 inches of deflection with a vertical load on the second floor of 1000 lbs, giving this playset a factor of safety of 13.5.
This playset was assembled on-site due to it’s large size after being constructed. Our additions to this playset, including the gear wall and peg maze, underwent several iterations and designs before being fabricated in Brown Hall, then later added onto the playset. The assembly process of the playset included taking inventory of our materials, reading directions carefully and thoroughly, then assembling the playset. After the playset was mostly completed, we did some ground work to make sure the playset would be level on the ground and safe for children to play in. Our final additions include the gear wall and peg maze, which we designed using SolidWorks and CAD software.
After building the KidKraft Cliffbrook Playhouse, we began by checking the overall structure to make sure it was stable and secure. We tightened all screws and bolts, then applied pressure to different parts of the frame to confirm there was no wobbling or shifting. We also ensured the base was level on the ground so the playhouse wouldn’t rock or become unstable during use.
Next, we tested the upper level and balcony by placing weight on them and leaning against the railings to verify they were strong and properly secured. We inspected the flooring for any weak spots and made sure the spacing of the railings was safe. We then checked the ladder and slide, climbing and using them several times to confirm they were firmly attached and safe for repeated use.
Finally, we ran our hands along all surfaces to check for splinters, sharp edges, or exposed hardware. We also considered how children might realistically play on it, applying light stress to different areas and ensuring there was enough space around the structure for safe use.
For safe use, this playset should be used only by children ages 2–10, with no more than 9 users and a 110 lb per-child limit. Keep an adult on site at all times, and ensure the unit is properly anchored. Keep the surrounding area clear of fences, trees, wires, rocks, planters, and other obstacles. Parents should not allow children to climb on wet surfaces, jump from the roof or platforms, go down the slide head first, or run up the slide. Before play, check for loose or sharp hardware, splinters, damaged wood, and hot plastic slide surfaces, and repair or cool anything unsafe before children use it.
Our group project focused on assembling an outdoor playset and enhancing it with original engineering features. The playset gave us a real-world structure to work with, so our main goal was not only to build it correctly and safely, but also to design interactive additions that would fit naturally into the playhouse. During the assembly process, we had to interpret instructions, organize hardware and materials, divide responsibilities, and make sure each part was aligned, stable, and secure. This helped us practice important engineering skills such as teamwork, measurement, problem solving, and quality control.
The peg maze and gear wall added a creative design challenge to the project. We had to think about how our specific child would interact with each feature, how to make the designs engaging for him, and how to keep them safe and durable. The peg maze required planning a path that was challenging but still usable, while the gear wall required careful spacing so the gears could rotate smoothly together. We tested the features, made adjustments, and considered how they would hold up during repeated use.
Overall, this project showed us that engineering is not only about building something that works, but also about designing for the people who will use it. We learned the importance of communication, patience, safety, and iteration. Working as a group allowed us to combine different ideas and skills, and the final playset reflected both the original structure and our own custom design work.
