homestyle A playground right on the premises

Get the kids outside by installing a play set in your backyard

Kids today are often consumed with staring at a screen and spending most of their free time indoors. Many neighborhoods lack nearby playgrounds, and concerned parents often frown on public park visits anyway due to coronavirus fears. So, where can parents point their children toward without feeling guilty — a place where young ones can benefit from body movement, frolic with friends and avoid electronic overstimulation?

Look no further than your home’s backyard, the ideal spot for a playground you can have built.

“Many people don’t know how to make the best use of their yard. And while many kids have some outdoor toys, most of these toys aren’t made for that purpose. But by investing in an outdoor play set, it encourages outdoor play,” said Cristina Miguelez, remodeling specialist for Wilmington, Delaware-based Fixr.com. “Plus, many play areas can also be expanded or added onto as your kids grow, so that you can keep the area fresh and in use for years.”

Yard play sets are typically made of wood and plastic and sold in kits that include one or more swings, a slide and a climbing area with shade. These kits can be assembled by handy Diyers or a hired professional (the latter is recommended to ensure safe construction), and they vary in price from $500 to $5,000, on average, according to Fixr.com.

“Previously, kids used to go outside without prompting and play with local kids. But now parents increasingly need to urge their kids to get outdoors and away from virtual devices,” noted Travis Steineman, a real estate investor, Realtor, and CEO of Buyhousesbr, a home buying/ flipping firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “The nice thing about having a play set installed in your yard is that you can keep your children within your sight and have a convenient, nearby place to send them off to for safe play and recreation.”

Those aren’t the only benefits of placing a play set on your