With homes getting smaller, backyard space is at a premium. But a small backyard doesn’t mean your children or grandchildren can’t have a great time playing at home.
Whether you’re working with a small courtyard in a townhouse or a suburban yard, the right compact play equipment can turn even the tiniest outdoor area into a space where kids can explore, imagine and burn off that never ending energy.
Intentional Design Trumps Size
The key to making the most of a small backyard lies in intentional design. It’s not about buying the latest outdoor toys, but about choosing the right equipment that encourages creativity, movement and engagement, while still leaving space to move around freely.
One of the best practices in intentional design for small backyards is to consider how you can combine different types of play in a modular or moveable way, meaning you don’t need to dedicate large amounts of space to a single piece of equipment.
Small Backyard Outdoor Play Equipment Checklist:
A small backyard doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice outdoor fun! Choosing the right play equipment can transform even the tiniest space into a haven for active, imaginative play. Here’s how to make the most of what you’ve got:
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Measure Your Space First
Before you go out shopping measure your backyard carefully. Leave enough clearance around equipment for safe play & to allow for your existing outdoor furniture -
Think Multi-Use
Look for compact playsets that combine slides, climbing walls, or swings in one unit to maximise play value in a small space -
Go Vertical
Depending on where you live elevated cubby houses, climbing frames, or wall-mounted basketball hoops can make good use of vertical space when floor space is limited -
Choose Portable or Modular Pieces
Sandpits on wheels, foldable mud kitchens, or modular water play tables can be moved or stored away when not in use. -
Choose Open-Ended Play Equipment
Mud kitchens, balance beams, or water tables encourage creative play without needing a lot of space, compared to 'single' activity options such as a swing set for example
By choosing smart, space-saving options, you can create a backyard play zone that keeps kids entertained and active, no matter the size of your garden.
Mud Kitchens: Keeping the Creative Mess Outdoors
One of the most engaging, compact and popular backyard play additions is a mud kitchen. These setups often fit snugly along a fence or wall, offering a space where pretend play can start with cooking mud, leaves and flowers in an old saucepan and extend into a full pretend restaurant.
Mud kitchens grow with your children. They can become a toy car wash, a potion creation area, a space for science experiments or even just an area to learn math concepts in a fun way.
If you’re handy on the tools, you can DIY a mud kitchen, or to skip the fuss, buy ready-made compact models. Add a few old pots, pans and utensils and let the fun begin!
Sandpits and Water Play Tables: Sensory Play Goldmines
Sandpits are one of those classic backyard staples, and there's a good reason for it - they provide open-ended, sensory rich play that helps develop motor skills, creativity and social interaction. Even the smallest of backyards are great for a sandpit, with modern designs coming in all shapes and sizes, from corner sandpits that maximise awkward spaces to models with built-in seats and covers to keep the sand clean and dry when not being used.Covered sandpits are particularly handy in smaller yards, allowing you to keep the area tidy and weatherproof, and some even double as picnic tables or come with lids that convert into a standard play service, offering the ultimate in multi-functional play equipment in tight areas.
For families looking for variety without taking up more space, sand and water play tables are an ideal solution. These tables typically have two compartments - one for sand and one for water - allowing children to explore textures, build landscapes and engage in science and math concepts by pouring, scooping and floating objects. Because these tables are upright, they are a great addition to a small space, and can be moved around to a shady spot or stored when not in use.
Many sand and water play tables< include a variety of accessories like funnels, spinners and mini excavators which are great for not only having fun, but for early STEM development.
Air Track Mats: Bounce and Tumble Safely
Most children will happily bounce on a trampoline, but if you don’t have space for one, an air track mat is the perfect alternative. These inflatable mats come in various lengths and thicknesses and are great for those children who love gymnastics, parkour or practising their flips, tricks and tumbles. The best thing is, these mats just aren’t for outdoor play - they can be brought inside to play on rainy and cold days.
Air Track Mats are also great for proprioceptive play, with the bouncy and unstable surface of the mat challenging the body’s balance and coordination, forcing children to engage the proprioceptive feedback to maintain balance and control. The mat provides increased sensory input, while cushioning the impact on joints during falls and landing.
Outdoor Play: Classic Fun in Any Space
When there are literally hundreds of outdoor play equipment possibilities, it’s easy to overlook the simplicity of classic outdoor games. WIth little to no permanent set up, options such as Giant Jenga, ring toss, cornhole and giant chess sets are a great addition to your outdoor toys. Easy to store and set up, these games are great for family bonding, birthday parties or letting off some of that after school energy.
Some of our favourites are the giant dominos, giant scrabble and of course, the classic cricket set.
Summer Water Play
Let’s not forget summer waterplay. Those summer months are long and hot, and there’s no better way to cool down than hours spent playing in the water (in the shade of course). Those with small spaces and young children will enjoy the Water Park Splash Station. For those with a bit more room to work with, the Happy Hop Inflatable Water Park or the H2OGO! Castle with Canopy Water Park are great choices.
A slip n slide is also a lot of fun in a small space, espesically the double slides where two kids can race each other to the end!
Small Space, Big Fun
Good News! You don’t need a large backyard to give your children or grandchildren hours of outdoor fun. WIth the right compact play equipment, imagination and energy, small backyards turn into fun areas where kids want to be.
Turn your small space into a welcoming environment with the large range of kid approved choices from The Best Backyard .
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