DIY Do it Yourself or Not®

To provide hours of safe and enjoyable fun and exercise outdoors, consider building a kid's play set in the backyard. Many are made of chemical-free wood or manmade timbers and include a variety of components like plastic molded swing seats, gliders, ladders and sliding tubes. The sets typically are designed for ground level, but many feature raised play environments such as well. Some systems are sold complete, while others offer individual components with plans you can design and build. You can see them in action at playground equipment companies and on display at home and garden centers. To find them online, type "playground equipment" in a search engine.

A playground equipment company will charge $1,800 to install a good quality play set. You can buy the components for $1,500 and build it yourself, pocketing a 17 percent saving. Depending on where you live and the terrain of your property, you may have to pay a higher installation fee.

When you're shopping for a play set, look for well-built components with recessed hardware and protective bolt caps. Plan to locate the play set in a level area that's free of obstructions or potential hazards. Figure you'll need a minimum perimeter of 6 feet in all directions around the play set. To cushion falls and reduce the risk of injuries, choose a soft and shock-absorbing surface material to cover the ground beneath and around the play set.