Hey everyone, it’s Jake from your local polytarp supply crew—you know, the guys who’ve got your back when you need that tough, flexible, everything-protects kind of tarp for every job. Lately, I’ve been getting so many questions from rec center managers, school PTA folks, and even neighborhood playground leaders: “Can I use a polytarp to cover playground equipment?” It’s a smart question, honestly—playgrounds get pounded by rain, sun, snow, wind, even random fallen branches, and replacing gear that’s rotted or faded way too soon is a total drag. Polytarp
First off, let’s cut through the confusion: polytarp isn’t just the flimsy plastic sheet your cousin uses to cover their lawn during a party. The stuff we sell here? It’s heavy-duty, UV-stabilized, tear-resistant, and rated for all kinds of outdoor abuse. But before I dive into whether it works for playgrounds, let’s talk about what playground equipment actually needs to stay in good shape. You’ve got metal swing frames that rust if they get wet and stay wet. You’ve got plastic slides and climbing walls that get brittle and crack if they’re blasted by the sun 24/7. Even the wooden edge borders around playgrounds? They warp, get moldy, and rot if they’re exposed to the elements nonstop.
So, can polytarp cover all that? Short answer: yes—but only if you pick the right kind. Let’s break this down, no fancy jargon, just real-world stuff I’ve seen work (and fail) over the years.
First, not all polytarp is created equal. If you grab a cheap, thin 1-mil tarp from the dollar store? Don’t even waste your time. That’s gonna tear the first time a kid runs into it, or the wind picks up and yanks half of it off, leaving your swing frame exposed to rain that week. The polytarp we stock for outdoor gear is usually 6-mil to 10-mil thick—thick enough to handle that accidental kick from a soccer ball, or a small branch falling from a nearby tree. And here’s the big one for playgrounds: UV-stabilized. Regular plastic turns yellow and crumbles after a month in the sun, but UV-stabilized polytarp we manufacture (I know that’s true because we test every batch) can last 2-5 years outside, no problem. That’s way longer than flimsy tarp or even some cheap coverings people use like old bed sheets (spoiler: old bed sheets are terrible—they soak up water, get moldy, and disappear in a storm).
Next, what kind of playground equipment works best with polytarp? Let’s start with the big, stationary stuff: metal swing sets, the main climbing structure, maybe a spring rider or two. Those are all solid, so you can drape or tension a tarp over them without it sagging so much that water pools on top. Water pooling is a huge mistake people make—if you let water sit on a tarp for days, that weight can tear the tarp, and the moisture under it will actually make mold grow faster on the equipment below. So we always recommend adding a few simple grommets if you’re not using a pre-cut tarp with them already (we can add those for free for bulk orders, fyi). Tie-downs or bungee cords (heavy-duty ones, not the neon cheap ones) through the grommets to fence posts, the ground, or even the equipment itself keeps the tarp taut so water runs off, no pooling.
Wait, what about smaller, moveable stuff? Like plastic playground toys that sit out on a patio or a small play area, or even a portable slide? Polytarp works here too, but you have to be a little more careful. For moveable stuff, we suggest the 6-mil lightweight but still tough polytarp—easy to drape over, and you can fold it up and store it inside in 2 minutes when you need the play space back for a party or extra recess. Just make sure when you drape it, you don’t yank it so tight that you bend a plastic slide’s frame—go snug, not overkill.
Now, let’s talk about the stuff polytarp isn’t great for, because I don’t want you wasting money on something that won’t work. If your playground has little, open play structures that have gaps all over—like a tiny playhouse with screen windows, or a climbing wall made of open mesh? A regular polytarp will block air flow, and that moisture that gets trapped inside the gaps can’t escape. That leads to mold on the wood or metal, and even rust spots that eat through equipment faster than you can replace a tarp. For those, we usually suggest a mesh tarp or a breathable poly fabric cover, but if polytarp is what you want, just make sure you pull it every few days to let the air circulate. Or, if it’s a small structure, maybe use it only during heavy rain events, not all the time. Another thing: don’t use polytarp on playground equipment that’s always going to be in direct contact—like the actual seat of a swing or the surface of a slide. Those get used constantly, so a tarp’s slippery plastic will make kids slip, which is a safety hazard. You only cover the frame of the swing set, not the seat itself—just make sure the seat is dry before you put the tarp up, or give it a quick wipe down before use.
Now, let’s get real about the pros and cons, because I don’t want to sell you something that has a bunch of hidden downsides. The pros? Polytarp is way cheaper than custom-fitted playground covers, which can cost hundreds of dollars and take weeks to get. Our standard 10×20 foot polytarp is like $15-$20, and you can cut it to size with scissors if you need a weird shape—no fancy tools required. It’s lightweight, so one person can put it up and take it down, which is perfect for PTA groups that don’t have a ton of extra hands. And it’s durable—we’ve had rec centers tell us their polytarp covers lasted 3 years, and they just replace them when they start getting a little torn.
The cons? It’s not as fancy as a custom cover. If you want something that looks super neat for a public playground, polytarp is a little utilitarian—no big deal if it’s just for function, but if you care about the way it looks? Maybe add a couple of bungee cords in fun colors to make it look less plain. Also, like I said earlier, it traps moisture if you don’t get it taut enough—so you gotta check it after big storms, pull any sagging parts, and make sure water is running off the sides. And don’t use it as a permanent cover if your playground gets extreme wind—like hurricane-level wind. For that, we’ve got heavy-duty tarps with wind loops that you can stake extra tight, but even then, a big storm might need you to take it down for a few days to keep it from blowing away.
Wait, I can’t forget safety—this is playground equipment, so safety is non-negotiable. A lot of people ask: is polytarp safe to use around kids? The good news is, all the polytarp we sell is non-toxic—no weird chemicals leaching into rainwater or rubbing off on kids’ hands. But you do have to make sure when you’re putting it up, you’re not leaving any loose straps or excess tarp hanging down where a kid can trip over it. Trim any extra tarp if you need to, or tuck the edges under a layer of mulch if it’s on the ground next to the play area. And never, ever use a tarp that’s frayed or has big holes—those can snag a kid’s clothes or hands, which is a choking or injury hazard. If you see a tear bigger than a credit card, just replace it—no need to try to patch it up. I know it’s tempting, but patched tarps get weak at the patch spot, and will tear faster.
Let me throw in a quick real example, because I hate just talking theory. Last year, a PTA in a small town reached out to me—their playground swing set was starting to rust because it sat under a big oak tree that drops leaves all fall, and the rain would get trapped under the leaves and the swing frame. They bought a 10×20 UV-stabilized 8-mil polytarp, added grommets, staked it to the ground on either side of the swing frame, and tied it to a fence post at the end. That swing set didn’t get a single rust spot that winter, and when they took the tarp off last spring, the wood border around the play area was still in way better shape than the year before. They said it took them 20 minutes to put up, and cost less than $25 total—way cheaper than the custom cover a playground supply company quoted them for $180.
Another example: a guy with a portable playground for his kid’s birthday party last summer. He had a small plastic slide and a couple of small play structures, and didn’t want them getting rained on overnight. He used a 6-mil polytarp, draped it over the whole thing, and tied it with bungee cords. The next day, when the rain stopped, he just pulled the tarp off, wiped a little water off the slide, and the kid was able to play right away—no mold, no damage, and he folded the tarp up and stored it in his garage for next time.
Now, a few quick tips to make it work right, because I want you to get the most out of your polytarp. First, measure twice, buy once—don’t guess the size of your play structure. Measure from side to side, front to back, and add 2 feet on each side so you have extra to tie down. Second, use heavy-duty bungee cords or tie-down ropes—those cheap thin ones from the dollar store break in wind, and then you have a tarp blowing across the playground. Third, if you’re leaving the tarp up for more than a week, check it after every big rain—push any saggy parts so water runs off. Fourth, when you store the tarp, make sure it’s completely dry before folding it up—if you put it away wet, it’ll get moldy and start to smell, and the UV stabilizer will break down faster.
So, to wrap this up: yes, polytarp is totally usable to cover playground equipment—if you get the right kind, use it the right way, and follow those simple tips. It’s affordable, easy to use, and works way better than most people think, as long as you’re not trying to use a flimsy dollar store tarp or cover the actual play surfaces kids stand on.
If you’re ready to pick out a polytarp for your playground, we’ve got all the sizes you need—from small 6×8 foot tarps for portable toys, to big 20×30 foot ones for full play structures. We also add free grommets to all bulk orders, and can help you figure out exactly what size you need if you send us a quick pic of your playground. No pressure, just good advice from a guy who’s been doing this for years. If you’re a school, rec center, or neighborhood group, we also give small group discounts to help you keep your playground in good shape without breaking the budget.
Reach out to us to chat more, get a quote, or ask any other questions you have—we’re here to help.
Corrugated Plastic Protection Roll References:
- American Playground Suppliers Association. (2022). Outdoor Playground Equipment Maintenance Guidelines.
- Tarpaulin Industry Association. (2021). UV-Stabilized Polytarp Performance for Outdoor Applications.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Safe Playground Surfacing and Equipment Care.
Jinan Mantis Company Ltd.
As one of the most professional polytarp manufacturers and suppliers in China, we offer a wide range of products with superior quality. Please feel free to buy advanced polytarp for sale here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price.
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