Small Backyard Playsets

One thing you'll need to keep in mind when you begin shopping for your new playset - particularly the wooden playsets like this one - is its description.

When I began my hunt, I remember being uber-excited when I happened upon what appeared to be a 'dirt cheap' playset. But I would learn quickly that my excitement and impulsiveness nearly had me ordering a kit.

BIG difference with that one word!

A kit is just that: a few brackets, braces, swings and chains - minus the wood; you'll have to be mighty handy to put it all together, straight and sturdy and ready for the rough and tumble action of excited kids. If this is a scary notion, make sure you're ordering a complete package, like this playset for small yards were you can expect the whole kit & kaboodle - not minus the 'kaboodle!'.

I love this playset; it's ideal for small play areas and has it all! If you leave out or reposition the slide, I can see this model in a super small back yard. Click on the image for complete details.

As I mentioned earlier, you'll want to opt for the complete play set versus the 'KIT' which is the makings of a project where you're the carpenter.

Indeed, you can go for the lesser-priced kit and have your lumber straight-cut at a local big box DIY store like Home Depot. But you'll be doing quite a bit of work (insert your own unappealing visual, here).

I'm happy to see several reasonably-priced cedar playsets for small yards, like those I feature, here. I'm loving the adventure aspect of the 'fortress' and all the fun extras like slides and climbers along with the predictable swings. These play sets have a longer life expectancy with their treehouse turned clubhouse when kids get older.

These cedar playsets have a smaller scale that's ideal for us city dwellers with a patch of yard to dedicate for play. If you've a super-teeny back yard, you might consider forsaking the slide, or if you're handy, just reposition it if it's a safe move.

Swingsets appear to be the quintessential simple playground accouterment dating back to before any of our time. But don't be fooled by simple physics; swings - and the mechanics behind making things move, have so much to teach our toddlers to school-aged children.

Remember all those developmental milestones we're bombarded with with every check up at the pediatrician's office? Those worrisome, bulleted words etched in black and white? Well, swings can help allay our fears with their wealth of advantages in helping kids learn cause and effect (if I do this, then this happens), spatial skills (where's up, where's down and where am I?), rhythm, coordination, patterns, timing and more - all while engaging and toning kids' muscles.

Indeed, who knew so much could be garnered from 'simple' movement!

There were several considerations I wish that I had thought about before buying my kids a backyard playset. But in the end, I can share my thoughts on my mistakes, so you have a smoother time of things.

First, I suggest you consider your yard space, of course. But at a close second is your child's activity preferences, their abilities and how long you plan to stay where you're currently living.