Looking for a durable, versatile and visually appealing alternative to natural grass for play areas? Whether it’s for your garden, a commercial soft play centre or a community leisure space, artificial grass ticks all the boxes for a versatile and durable play surface that children can enjoy while remaining safe.
Let’s get into what play grass is, the types available and why it’s so great for any play application.
Table of Contents
What is Play Grass?
Artificial grass, or synthetic turf, is a surface made from synthetic fibres that mimic the look and feel of natural grass. Originally created for sports fields, the technology has come a long way since it was initially introduced. Today artificial grass is more realistic and versatile making it a great solution for play spaces.
Play grass can be used indoors and outdoors. Inside it’s a great alternative to carpets in children’s learning or leisure spaces, outside it’s perfect for playgrounds, parks and gardens. It’s also a solid base for play equipment like climbing frames, slides and swings.
Types of Artificial Grass for Play Areas
There are different types of artificial grass, each designed for specific purposes:
- Standard Play Lawn Grass: Soft and safe for kids to play on, mimics the look of natural grass. Perfect for residential gardens and public play areas.
- Sports Turf: Tough and durable, this type of 2G or 3G artificial grass is built for heavy use. Often comes with markings for sports like football, rugby or tennis.
- Decorative Turf: Available in a wide range of colours, this turf is great for creating fun and imaginative play spaces. Perfect for indoor areas or outdoor spaces that need a creative touch.
- Track Turf: Designed for lane tracks or sports tracks, often with numbers or letters these are mainly used in gym and fitness facilities for sled pulling, sprinting and functional training surfaces. These grass tracks can also be used in school and nursery gyms for imaginative and active games, sports and play.
Where can I use Artificial Grass?
The versatility of artificial grass is one of the main reasons why it's used in various locations. Here's a brief look at the main uses of artificial grass surfaces:
Artificial Grass Pile Height and Colours
Artificial grass comes in various pile heights, which is the length of the grass blades. Shorter pile heights are better for high traffic areas and specific sports that require a dense and flat surface. Longer pile heights are softer and more cushioned, perfect for active play areas or cosy indoor play spaces.
Colours are also customisable. While green is the most popular, synthetic grass is available in many colours, from bright blues, yellows and reds for a playful look to more natural earthy tones for a subtle finish.
Benefits of Synthetic Play Grass
Let's look at the key advantages of using artificial grass for various play settings:
For Outdoor Play Areas
- Durability: Synthetic play grass can withstand heavy use without wearing down or going patchy. Perfect for playgrounds and sports fields that are used daily.
- Low Maintenance: No mowing, watering or fertilising required. Synthetic turf is low maintenance, saves time, effort and resources. Plus it’s pet friendly and can easily be cleaned following pet waste or shedding.
- All-Weather Use: Synthetic grass is designed to be used in all weather. With proper drainage and a strong backing it won’t get muddy in the rain or dry out in the sun. It’s consistent all year round with UV stability to prevent fading or damage in hot weather.
- Safety: Many types of artificial grass are designed with safety in mind. They have shock absorbing layers to minimise the risk of injury from falls.
- Easy Installation: Play grass comes in rolls or mats, easy to install without the need for expensive tools or professional help. It can cover large areas quickly and easily.
Customer Feedback:
"Really impressed by the quality and thickness of the turf. It feels and looks fantastic in our new outdoor play area. The kids love it! Would highly recommend this for playgrounds"
For Indoor Play Spaces
- Versatility: Synthetic grass can be installed on various surfaces, perfect for indoor play area matting in homes, schools and commercial play centres.
- Hygiene: Artificial grass is easy to clean. It can be vacuumed, swept or hosed down, essential in indoor spaces where hygiene is top priority.
- Customisation: Available in different colours and designs to create fun and engaging environments that stimulate creativity and learning.
For Domestic Applications
- Aesthetic Appeal: Artificial grass looks great all year round providing a lush green surface for your garden that doesn’t need constant upkeep.
- Cost Savings: Over time artificial grass can save money by reducing maintenance costs. No more spending on water, fertiliser or lawnmowers.
For Commercial Applications
- High Traffic: Whether it’s a school, nursery or community space artificial grass can handle high foot traffic and daily wear and tear from lots of children.
- Added Play Value: Customisation options like lane tracks and colourful designs can make play areas more engaging, offer fun and educational opportunities for kids.
- Cost Effective: Artificial grass is a budget friendly option for large spaces, often cheaper than traditional play surfaces.
Conclusion
Synthetic grass is an excellent choice for both domestic and commercial play areas. Its durability, low maintenance, and versatility make it the ideal solution for creating safe, enjoyable, and visually appealing play spaces.
With a variety of types, pile heights, and colours available, artificial grass can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your play area, ensuring a space where kids can play, learn, and grow in a safe, fun environment.
Explore our outdoor play surfaces for some Bestselling play solutions.
