Are Outdoor Playsets Worth It?

As you have kids and a house with a sizable backyard, you begin to wonder if you should get an outdoor playset or not. They can be fun for your kids and add a bit of charm to your backyard too. So, are outdoor playsets worth it? Should you get them, or are there alternatives you should consider? I am here to give you my honest opinions on this topic.

Yes, outdoor playsets are worth the money for the most part. Even if your kids grow up and don’t use them, you can resell them. And even if you don’t resell them, the playsets can increase your property value later on. So, they are very much worth it.

There are plenty of factors that come into play when deciding whether or not a playset is a worthwhile investment. So, I’m going to try to explain as well as I can why a playset is a great investment for your child and also for your home. So, without wasting any more of your time, let’s begin.

Are Playsets Worth the Money?

The first most important question is, should you spend a large amount of cash on a backyard playset? It depends on quite a few things, but the first thing you need to answer is; how much are you spending exactly?

A barebones swing set can be bought new for 200-300 USD and even cheaper when bought second hand. In comparison, a fully specked out playset with enclosures, swings, climbing bars, slides, etc., can cost upwards of a few thousand dollars. Some parents do spend that much.

Once you go overboard with all different equipment and attachments, it can cost anywhere from 2 to 4 thousand USD or even more. Until you start going overboard, playsets are mostly worth their cost.

You would be better off saving money by buying items one at a time, perhaps even buy a second-hand plastic slide and restore it to save costs. If you see your kids getting one item in your backyard playground, you can go ahead and add another one. Another way to save money is not to spend money on assembly and get playsets to assemble yourself easily. Most playsets are actually very easy to assemble.

One other thing you could consider to save even more cash is to look for secondhand playsets. Many parents tend to get rid of them once their kids grow up, so you have a good chance of stumbling upon something high quality without spending too much.

So, to sum up, go step by step, don’t go too overboard. If you are cautious and take a few small steps in saving money, playsets can be very worthwhile as they are sure to bring some joy to your kids.

The Kids Are What Really Matters

Moving away from the financial aspect, let’s look at the actual most important factor; the kids. You have to remember that the playset is for your kids to enjoy and not for you. So, rather than going out and buying what you think would look good in your yard, you should consider what your kids would like.

Observe what they like, see what toy they might enjoy more, or even directly ask them what toy they would like to have first. It could be a swing set, a jungle gym, a slide, anything. The important thing is that your kids need to enjoy it.

A playset only becomes not worth it when your kids do not play on it. But if your kids enjoy them, even the most expensive sets seem totally worth the money. So, it is an excellent idea to talk with your kids and observe what they enjoy the most on playgrounds before buying pieces of equipment for your backyard.

Again, mentioning the step-by-step method, buy the first thing your kids might like. Whatever that might be, depending on how much time your kids spend on it, you can decide what to get next. This is a sure way to get more value out of your playset.

Are Playsets Better Than Public Playgrounds?

Next comes the question is outdoor playsets better than public playgrounds? Well, it depends heavily on your needs. If you are planning to skip out on taking your kids to the playground permanently by getting a playset, then no, they are not better. They cannot replace a public playground.

A public playground provides a ground for children from all around to meet and socialize. This social interaction is crucial for your child’s growth. Your child needs to go to the public playground once in a while and play with others.

However, if you are a working parent and often don’t have time, playsets can definitely help. Many parents usually leave the kids with a caregiver for the day, so in that time, the playset can be of great use. It definitely helps both the kids and the caregiver.

Even if you have an outdoor playset, it is definitely a good idea to take your kids to the local playground once in a while. If your local area does not have a public playground by any chance, then a playset might be your only option. But, in general, they both serve different purposes.

Will They Go to Waste Later On?

When getting an outdoor playset, parents fear that will they become just a waste of space once the kids grow up? The answer is both yes and no. You can choose to let them go to waste, or you can do something with them.

The most common good idea is to give them away to one of your relatives. There is a good chance that some of your relatives have kids to be of great use to them. You can also sell them as there are always parents looking for good deals on outdoor playsets for their children.

If you get a good playset, they are bound to last a while. So, chances are, they will still have a lot of life left in them after your kids are done with them. So it is a good idea to make sure they bring joy to some other kid later on than sit there idly.

Of course, some parents do let them sit in their backyard as a token of memory. There is nothing wrong with that. If you develop a sentimental value to something your kids used to play on, then maybe it is worth it to keep it. But if you are thinking about financial stuff, then you might be better off doing otherwise.

Do Playsets Increase Your Property Value?

According to NAR research, in 2020, 35% of homeowners have children under 18 living with them. That might not sound like a lot, but these people most commonly look for new homes.

According to that same research, many house-buying folks are okay with having a smaller house if their yard space is bigger. So, comparing these two facts would lead one to believe that an outdoor playset has value in property reselling.

If you ever decide to sell your property, a considerable portion of the customer base will be attracted to the fact that you have a preinstalled outdoor playset. This will, in turn, add value to your property, and you can consider the playset worth its price at that point.

What to Look for In Outdoor Playsets?

Now, let’s take a look at what you should actually buy. As I have already mentioned, do not go overboard with the fanciest and most pricey equipment. Start small and then build up from there. There are a lot of playsets that come with warranties. These will be a good option to get.

Look at what parts of the playset have a warranty and get the one that seems most ideal to you. Do not go for the ones that cost a few thousand dollars. You can put together a decent setup that will last you a long time within 500-700USD.

Try to get playsets made from better materials. Often, the most basic and cheap materials won’t even last you a couple of years. So, you want something that will last long. Wooden and steel structures last long. If there are plastic or PVC parts, make sure that they are sturdy enough to not break with frequent use.

Look for quality in getting both new and secondhand stuff, and you should be able to get a good value on an outdoor playset.

Conclusion

An outdoor playset can be very much worth it if you consider a few things. Do not spend too much. Get only what your kids will enjoy, make sure they get a lot of playtime from it, and finally, get something that will last long so you will be able to resell it or keep it as a memory.

Thanks for reading my honest opinions on “Are outdoor playsets worth it?”. I hope I was able to answer all your queries. Until next time, farewell!