Is bark mulch safe for children to play on

Bark mulch is often chosen for playgrounds and garden hide-outs because it softens tumbles and smells pleasantly of woodland. A layer ten to fifteen centimetres deep cushions a fall far better than compacted soil, dispersing impact energy through loose, springy chips. Unlike pea gravel it never lodges in knees or ends up inside shoes. Splinters are rare when the mulch is screened for fines and sharp shards; running a quick hand rake over new deliveries catches the odd rogue piece before curious fingers find it.

Safety also hinges on sourcing. Material labelled as play-grade is washed and tested to British Standard BS EN 1177 for critical fall height. AHS LTD supplies such grades, free from chemical preservatives and metal fragments, so there is no tannin-stained clothing or worrying residue. Even so, children should wear shoes when the weather is hot; bark can harbour hidden wasps if fallen fruit is nearby. Top up the surface each spring as chips compact or migrate, keeping depth above the minimum cushion.

Regular raking deters fungal mats and lifts any buried litter. With these simple habits, bark mulch offers a forgiving, natural floor that protects knees and imaginations alike—allowing games to continue long after the last rainstorm.