In my last blog post we talked a little bit about what makes a backyard epic. Whether it be a patio, a conversation space, a deck, or a backyard that manages to be everything at once, the needs of your family determine the definition of epic. But if you decide that it’s time to make a play area for the kids, here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re improving your backyard here in Los Alamos.

The Trampoline

There’s no doubt that kids can get some serious fun out of a trampoline. As a parent myself, I’m certain I don’t have to remind all of you to get a safety net for your bouncing toy. Another thing to keep in mind here in Los Alamos, is the placement of your trampoline. Thanks to space issues, many trampolines in our area are tucked into tiny corners of the resident’s yard. Please make certain the tension on your safety net enclosure keeps your kiddos from accidentally coming into contact with any surrounding fencing. A stucco or concrete wall can create an incredible road rash risk if a trampoline user gets too close mid-flight.

Another important consideration is storage and maintenance. If you’ve been outside in the last few days, you’ve felt the extreme UV rays. These rays are devastating to your trampoline. Between the UV and the dry climate, the dry rot rate of the average trampoline is fairly accelerated here in Los Alamos. So, when you’re not using that trampoline, you might want to fold it up, store it in the garage or shed, or cover it somehow. And if you don’t? Please make sure you inspect it regularly to avoid any major incidents that could end badly for your kiddos.

The PlayHouse

Whether you want to purchase a playhouse from a manufacturer or build one from a kit or your own imagination, those pesky UV rays are going to affect this project as much as they would that trampoline. Whether you’re ordering your kit or cutting the wood parts yourself, consider using a protective exterior paint to put a layer of stoppage on those sun rays. Metzger’s has several options in dozens of colors guaranteed to either match your home or your child’s wildest desires.

Playhouses don’t have to be dead center in the yard by the way. If you’re building your own playhouse, try planning it in a way to utilize an otherwise non useable part of your yard. Tucked up against the side of the house? Tucked into the trees or bushes in an awkward corner of the yard? Goodness knows that the properties in and around Los Alamos boast more than a few awkward spaces. Perhaps in a spot like that, you can utilize some shade. Or, you could even create some shade for both the playhouse and the wilting kiddos by adding a small awning or suspending a sunshade between trees or even the house and the fence. Get creative and you’ll be surprised by what you can accomplish!

The TreeHouse

You’re not likely to find a lot of treehouse worthy trees in and around Los Alamos. Either you’ve got an eighty plus foot Ponderosa in your yard, or you’ve been graced with a tangle of juniper and scrub oak that couldn’t support a treehouse for your ant population.

However, don’t be discouraged. It’s quite possible to give the impression of a tree house by building your playhouse up on stilts. Not only does this make for a super fun playhouse option, it also gives you an opportunity to put a sandbox in the shade beneath the “treehouse”. You might even put a trapdoor in the floor of that treehouse to allow someone to drop right into the sandbox. It could also allow you to really utilize some of that awkward yard space by eliminating the need for a square foundation on the ground. You can build your treehouse above rocks, that pesky scrub oak, or even on a hill or other uneven terrain of the sort we find all over the county.

The Fort

The truth about a fort is that is can be made of anything, anywhere, anyhow, and in any dimension. That means if you have a series of strangely shaped juniper trees on your property, you can build a fort.

Oh yes, that’s right! With a set of hedge clippers and some scrap lumber, you could possibly enclose a little space that would be perfect for your little adventurer to use as home base for his excursions. You could even put a little “garage” against the side of the fort designed for a bicycle or a scooter.

There is no doubt that a trampoline, a playhouse, or a fort could be excellent fun for your children! It can also be a fantastic way to exercise the creativity that kids seem to have in spades. Or, you might be able to use any or all of these incentives to keep your kids outside instead of parked behind a screen enjoying their video games or watching shows on the tablet. I hope that you take these suggestions and put your own personal touch on them. I’d love to see what you come up with. Post your photos on Facebook and tag me at Kendra Ruminer Real Estate Los Alamos!

If you’re already a part of our unique community on the hill, I’m so glad! If you’re ready to move into or out of Los Alamos, give me a call. I’d love to talk about finding the perfect home here in Los Alamos!