If you’re looking to step up your backyard game, there are so many options for things you can add. Some you can make yourself and some you can purchase, it all depends on how much time, effort, and money you’re looking to put into a new project.

Swing Set and Slide

Every kid loves a good swing set and slide combination. This famous playground installation can be purchased or constructed. You hang swings from a tree branch or build a frame yourself. You can also purchase a fully constructed swing set from most hardware stores.

Slides can be made from many different materials in many different ways, but the easiest way to add a slide into your backyard is to buy one. Building a slide takes a lot of time and dedication, no matter what material you’re working with.

However, if you do what to build a slide, the easier ones to make at home are flat and made out of metal.

Rock Climbing Wall

It’s actually surprisingly easy to make a rock wall yourself. While you can buy one, it can be a fun project to create one. After you’re done creating the rocks out of wood (and sanding them to ensure they’re safe for tiny hands), you can have your children help you paint and decorate the rock climbing wall if you want to.

Don’t make it too tall or too hard, or your children won’t be able to use it. As you likely won’t have any safety gear for them, opting for a shorter wall will prevent injuries from occurring.

Of course, you can also purchase a rock climbing wall, sometimes in combination with a slide.

Custom Zip Line

This is a fun one! If you have two different platforms, you can create a small zip line in between the two with materials from your local hardware store. This is easiest when you already have platforms that you can attach the zipline to, but if you wanted to, you could build the platforms yourself as well.

Again, for the safety of your children, make sure that the zip line isn’t too high off the ground or too long overall.

Chalkboard Walls

One of the easiest hacks is to add chalkboard paneling to your fences. This way, your kids will be able to draw on the chalkboard walls instead of having to sit on the ground to draw. This is also a great alternative if you don’t have any concrete or asphalt for your children to draw on.

A Treehouse

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even build a treehouse in your backyard. First, you’ll want to make sure that you have a tree that is sturdy enough to hold up the house. Second, you’ll want to do research to find out if you need any building permits or permission. And third, you’ll want to design and craft the treehouse.

Building a treehouse can take a long time, but it’s definitely a project that will pay off in the long run. You can also hire a company or contractor to help you design and build the treehouse.

If you don’t have a sturdy enough tree, you can opt for a clubhouse instead!

Get Started!

Now that you have all of your plans and goals laid out, it’s time to start crafting your dream backyard. If you ever need any help with plans, wood, or building materials, stop by your local hardware store. They’ll be able to answer whatever questions you have about building backyard elements for your family. Then, you’ll be all set and on your way to the coolest backyard in the neighborhood.