Turn your backyard into the neighborhood’s favorite playground

The best backyard playgrounds give kids a little bit of everything: something to climb, something to slide down, something to swing on and a hideout to call their own. Mix those together and an ordinary afternoon becomes a day at sea, a jungle expedition or a game of tag with every cousin in the family.

Here are our favorite backyard playground ideas, with real Tree Frogs playsets that bring each one to life. When you’re ready to choose, our wooden playground buyer’s guide walks you through the decision.

Idea 1: Give them more than one way up

Climbing is half the fun, so give kids choices. A playset with several routes to the deck lets them pick an easy climb one day and a bigger challenge the next. The Toucan Fort has a full-width rock wall with 10 climbing holds. The Toucan Playcenter offers three ways up: a wooden step ladder, a rope ladder and a rock wall.

Want an overhead challenge too? Some sets add monkey bars and a loft.

Idea 2: Pick a slide they’ll ride again and again

No backyard playground is complete without a slide, and the style changes the ride. A wave slide adds bumps on the way down, a scoop slide carries kids down in one long, smooth run, and a spiral slide adds a twist.

Idea 3: Build a swing lineup with something for everyone

A mix of swings keeps the line short and the fun going. The Parrot Island Playcenter carries a tire swing, two belt swings, a disc rope swing and a trapeze with rings, so nobody waits long for a turn. Many beams have three swing positions, so you can rearrange the lineup as favorites change, and coated chains help keep fingers from getting pinched.

Already have a fort or a clubhouse? The 8′ Stand Alone Swingbeam adds two belt swings and a trapeze on its own A-frame. For more on swing styles, read Choosing the Right Swing for Your Outdoor Swing Set.

Idea 4: Create a hideout that sparks make-believe

A covered deck becomes whatever kids imagine: a pirate ship, a crow’s nest, a jungle lookout.

• Pirate ship: a ship’s wheel and telescope put kids at the helm on the Toucan, Parrot Island and Orangutan sets. The Parrot Island sets add a tic-tac-toe panel for quick games between voyages.
• Shady crow’s nest: the Parrot Island Playcenter’s 24 sq. ft. deck sits 5′ high under a tarp roof, with 6′3″ of head clearance to stand up and look out.
• Real treehouse feel: a solid wood roof, like the one on the Toucan Playcenter w/Wood Roof, makes the deck look like part of the set.
• A cottage in the trees: the Rainforest Cottage has an enclosed clubhouse with treehouse panels, a wood roof with a chimney and a chalkboard.

Idea 5: Use the space under the deck

The area under a raised deck is prime real estate. Put it to work:

• A shaded picnic table: perfect for snacks, coloring or catching their breath. The Toucan Fort, Parrot Island Fort and Rainforest Cottage all include one. The Rainforest Cottage can have a lemonade stand instead.
• A shaded sandbox: the Orangutan Fort’s tarp roof shades a sandbox below the deck.

Idea 6: Make a small yard play big

A smaller yard doesn’t mean a smaller playground. Choose a layout that fits your space:

• Compact and square: the Toucan Fort (just over 16′ x 14′) and Orangutan Fort (15′2″ x 14′2″) fit a slide, rock wall and swings while leaving room for the rest of the yard.
• Long and narrow: the Toucan Playcenter, at about 10′ x 22′, works well in side yards and along a fence line.
• Swings only: the 8′ Stand Alone Swingbeam measures 11′5″ x 8′2″.

Plan your backyard playground, then try it in person

Start with the spot. Choose a flat, level area with approximately 6 feet of clear play space on every side, away from fences, trees, your home and overhead power lines. Measure it, then bring those numbers with you.

Next, bring the kids. At our showrooms, they’re free to climb the rock walls, race down the slides and try every swing before you choose. Visit us for backyard play equipment in Austin, TX or backyard play equipment in the San Antonio area, or find a showroom. Our Fungineers will help you turn these ideas into a backyard playground that fits your space.