One of Wowo’s objections to my buying outdoor playground equipment for my apo was that it would just get old and fade, and that Theo would only be able to use it a few times a year. By the time he comes back again, he might have already outgrown the playground. But no amount of reasoning can convince me not to buy a playground for my apo. Basta. Period.
For me, the joy isn’t about how often Theo (plus Dylan) will use it —it’s about the happiness it gives when they do. A playground at Wowa’s Farm becomes part of their childhood memories.
Especially now, dalawa na ang apo ko, mas masusulit yan. And never mind if they only come several times a year. For Wowa, that’s good enough for me.
And how do I prevent the maluluma, kukupas from happening? Or at least, what can I do to preserve and protect it hoping to keep it nice for many years to come.
I gave my driver P1,000 to buy a huge tarpaulin to cover the outdoor equipment. Yun pala, meron na dito ang laki-laki pa. It was an old promotional tarpaulin of Ford Cainta, nadito sa barn. Yay, what a relief. It’s thick, heavy, and a good size.
The Ford Cainta tarpaulin we found is perfect.
Our guide:
1. Cover the playground when not in use.
2. Tie the corners securely so wind won’t blow it away.
3. Make sure the tarp is slanted, not flat, so rainwater slides off and doesn’t pool.
This alone will already slow fading, rust, and cracking caused by sun and rain.
In the Philippines, the sun is the main reason outdoor plastics fade.
Maybe in the near future, I will add a small canopy above it to give the playground some partial shade. Hopefully, this will help preserve the plastic colors and make them last longer. The shade will also protect the kids from the sun’s UV rays.
good job wowa!