(Nearly) Free Backyard Ideas: Play Area Refresh

A canon event in every parent’s life: When you give your child a thoughtful gift, only for them to have more fun playing with the wrapping paper or box instead. 😅 It just goes to show that it doesn’t take an expensive present for kids to have a great time! And that’s the mindset we’re going to channel with these (almost) free backyard ideas. Chances are, you already have a lot of these items in your home, or can find them at an affordable price! It just takes a little effort and imagination. But trust me, your kids will be thrilled!

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Nearly Free Backyard Ideas #1: Start With What You Already Have

Sometimes repurposing what you already own makes for the best toys! Here are a few ideas:

In-Ground Sandbox

The beauty of DIYing literally every day is that I’ve accumulated quite a collection of scrap wood. But, since most families don’t have their own mini lumberyard, you can also find wood at Lowe’s at great prices. Once you’ve got the lumber, use the wood to create the edges of a built-in sandbox. Then fill it with sand! Be sure to use a tarp to cover it when it’s not in use, so it doesn’t become the neighborhood litterbox.

Gymnastics Course

Another use for scrap lumber is making a balance beam! Just be sure to sand it down first. Then, get some flat stones from the garden store and set them up as stepping stones.

PVC Pipe Creations

Leftover PVC pipe from any home project can become a ball run, ring toss game, or sprinkler obstacle course with a few cheap connectors. It’s also a lot of fun to build water courses with—perfect for sensory play!

Outdoor/Mud Kitchen

If you have a small table or desk you’re no longer using, put it to work in a play kitchen! You can also use old cups, utensils, and bowls for playing in the dirt or stirring up leaves and twigs for “potions”. Call it an excuse to get that new dinnerware set you’ve been wanting! Or, you can head to the thrift store for some pre-loved pots and pans.

Nearly Free Backyard Ideas #2: Thrift Store & Facebook Marketplace Finds

And speaking of thrifting, you can find some serious gems on Facebook Marketplace! Or if you’re the kind of person who likes to browse in person, head to your local secondhand store. I once got a toy crib there, and it’s still one of my girls’ favorite toys.

Be on the lookout for slides, water tables, and playhouses. Remember, even if the paint is peeling, kids can still play with them! Just disinfect those toys and give them a fresh coat of paint! Kids can even help with this part. Check out how I gave our playhouse a makeover here.

In my experience, spring and summer are great times to thrift new outdoor toys! It can be as easy as setting an alert on Facebook Marketplace for what you’re searching for and letting the algorithm do the work for you.

One note: Be sure the play equipment is sturdy and safe, and not missing any screws or major pieces, before handing it over to the kiddos to play with.

Nearly Free Backyard Ideas #3: Borrow & Share

Kids can outgrow toys as quickly as they outgrow shoes! A great way to keep the rotation from getting stale is to set up a toy swap with some local families. Create a group chat, find a place to meet up to swap, and set some ground rules (like what happens if a toy is broken while at someone’s house). Your kids will be thrilled with the new toys each month—or however often you decide to share them!

What free backyard ideas did I miss?

I want to make sure our yard is prepped for all the summer fun! Leave your outdoor play area ideas in the comments!