Places to Play

Thinking of building a play area where the kids can run, swing, slide, climb, hang, hide and jump? Get a head start with these 15 ideas designed to inspire.

Modern Play Shed(6 of 14)

Inspired by classic mid-century architecture, this chic playhouse was designed to be safe, durable and fun. It includes double-opening dutch doors, 12 plexiglass window panels and a sloped roof, which give it those modern lines that complement many contemporary homes.

The shed, which comes in a pre-fab kit, is made of exterior grade plywood, fir, prefinished birch, plexiglass and all-weather PVC. It is designed to sit on a level bed of gravel. It measures 88" x 44" and is 76" high at its tallest point.

Play Like a Kid, Plan Like a Parent
SITE PLAN: To get the most out of your play area, designing with your yard in mind is key. A site plan is a splendid idea.

A backyard site plan is an overhead view of the entire play area, depicting the accurate dimensions of all the play structures and aligning them with your yard's terrain.

Spending some time carefully measuring, assessing the slopes, the shrubbery and the distances between structures will pay big dividends later on.

Next Photo: Magic Treehouse