5 Criteria To Keep In Mind When Choosing Playsets

Are you thinking about adding a small play area to your backyard to get your kids outside and moving around? It's a great—old-fashioned and yet effective—idea that always gets kids excited, and the effect it can have for building a healthy lifestyle for growing children is reason enough. But there are so many options these days—so where to even start? Here are 5 criteria to keep in mind when shopping for playsets"

1. Price

Of course, unless you've got money sprouting from the limbs of trees in your backyard and a bottomless bank account, money is probably a concern. And the complex playsets available for children in today's world come designed to demolish (or accommodate) any budget, so what is yours? First, decide exactly how much you are willing to spend because once you get out on the sales floors there will always be another "small addition" that seems worth the small addition on price.

Fortunately, there are high-quality playsets to be purchases at all income levels.

2. Age

Age should also be a very important consideration. Obviously, not all equipment will be safe for all ages, and not all will be entertaining for older children. If your children are very young, you may be able to get something that satisfies them for a long time, but if they are approaching their teens, their needs will be more complex and change faster.

Try to get something that can be adapted, expanded, or customized over time. Also, trampolines make a great addition for older kids, and as long as the equipment is sturdy enough, older kids involved in sports can often use the playset for physical conditioning and strength training.

3. Versatility

As mentioned before, there are many sets that can be added to or expanded. Wooden playsets are typically the best for this, but make sure to talk with your salesperson about the options for adding equipment in the future. Besides just outgrowing things, if you get a very basic model, your kids may just get bored over time, but versatility allows you to save from the start and make adjustments later.

4. Size

Well, how much room do you realistically have? Don't just think about where you can cram things in. All playground equipment should have adequate distance from the house, fences, or other structures on all sides. You should also plan ahead about walking space as flailing limbs can become a danger to people trying to walk around the structure. Lastly, make sure the area is not only big enough but that the ground is solid enough across that area to maintain vertical integrity.

5. Materials

Materials should also be an important factor. Most companies offer plastic, metal, wood, or some kind of hybrid material. While metal and plastic tend to offer lower costs, they also come with sacrifices in structural soundness, especially in extreme environments.

Metal corrodes and plastic tends to weaken, warp, or become brittle when exposed to excess sun. Wood meanwhile, seems to present a hazard with splinters, but it is well-sanded, finished, and weather proofed before used. Finally, it is very strong and durable—not to mention very attractive.