| When you live in a big city like Dallas, you can go | | | | strong enough for this, but of course it depends |
| a little crazy sometimes. To say the city has | | | | on the size of your budget. |
| outgrown itself seems like an understatement to | | | | 3. Slide |
| those who live in the thick of it, and it can seem | | | | What kid doesn't love a slide? If you have a pool |
| even more confining when you have children | | | | for it to feed into, it's even better, but it really |
| bouncing off the walls, especially if you don't have | | | | doesn't matter either way. |
| the money or the time to take them far enough | | | | 4. Trampoline |
| away to find some outdoor activity. | | | | I wish they had some of these crazy trampolines |
| But you can liven up your own backyard, even in | | | | available when I was a kid. You know the ones |
| the city. Swing sets, monkey-bars, and other | | | | I'm talking about;they are huge. I must admit, I've |
| types of playground equipment can turn an | | | | even gotten onto my nephew's a couple times |
| ordinary backyard into a child's paradise. Here are | | | | when I was feeling antsy. |
| 5 outdoor additions that will make a day a home | | | | 5. A Pool |
| a blast. | | | | Okay, so we can't all afford a full-size pool, but |
| 1. Swing Sets | | | | there are some really nice above-ground pools on |
| No playground is the same without a nice set of | | | | the market these days at ridiculously low prices. |
| swings. Even adults feel like a kid again when they | | | | Kids are satisfied a lot easier than you think, and |
| sit down in the strap seat and rock back and | | | | even a kiddie pool is plenty enough if they are still |
| forth a little while. This can make or break your | | | | small. In Dallas, having a little blue pond in the |
| home playground, so pick a sturdy set that | | | | backyard can be the difference between misery |
| doesn't feel like it's going to fall over every time | | | | and complete satisfaction. |
| they really get to swinging. | | | | Throw a couple of these components together: |
| 2. Monkey Bars | | | | swing sets, a trampoline, and a small pool;and |
| Monkey bars are another nice addition, and they | | | | your kids will never want to leave the house. Well, |
| help children develop strong, agile bodies. If they | | | | about the time their voices start changing they |
| are sturdy enough, you can even use them | | | | might, but we're still trying not to think about that, |
| yourself to do some quick pull-ups in the morning | | | | right? |
| and get a little exercise. Most child sets won't be | | | | |