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Made for Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Fourth of July Activities for Toddlers
The Fourth of July comes with a ton of built-in entertainment for kids… I mean what’s cooler than fireworks and parades? Unfortunately, a lot of those activities aren’t so toddler-friendly. (Two-year-olds + late bedtimes + sparklers = recipe for disaster.) But no worries – to make sure the littlest members of the family get in on the July 4th fun, we’ve put together this list of Fourth of July activities for toddlers! Fizzy Chalk Fireworks Real fireworks and sparklers are probably still a little (okay, a lot) too dangerous for your toddler to handle, but they can draw and “pop” their own kid-friendly firework paintings with this fizzy sidewalk chalk paint. This super simple chalk paint is a combo of baking soda, water, cornstarch, and food dye. Once they’ve drawn their fireworks on the sidewalk, hand over a bottle of vinegar so they can spray their artwork and watch it fizz! Red, White, & Blue Fruit Skewers Your toddler will love that they can actually help make these healthy fruit kabobs. Depending on their skill level, they can chop the banana with a butter knife, place fruit on the skewers, and ( if they’re a bit older) work on their pattern recognition skills! DIY Sparkler Wands These sparkler wand crafts are a fun, safe alternative to actual sparklers. They may not be quite as enticing as an actual sparkler, but your little one will still have fun waving and shaking them – not to mention all the fun they’ll have making them with you! Temporary Tattoos & Face Painting Even if you’re not an artist, stars, stripes, and fireworks are pretty easy to paint. No matter how they turn out, your toddler is sure to love them! They’ll probably want a turn too, so be prepared to get a few red, white, and blue scribbles on your own face! Be sure to pick up a few bottles of face paint as even the non-toxic craft paints might irritate sensitive skin. Or make it even simpler and just pick up a few packs of 4th of July temporary tattoos. “Fireworks” in a Jar These fireworks in a jar are a July 4th-themed take on one of our favorite water activities for toddlers. Just add some water, oil, and a few drops of food coloring to a jar and let them shake away. The oil will create a lava lamp effect as the colors mix around. Add in some glitter or star-shaped confetti for a little extra sparkle. Red & Blue Dyed Flowers Dying flowers with colored water is a popular science experiment to teach kids about the vascular system of plants. In this Fourth of July version, White daisies and red and blue food coloring give this classic science experiment a patriotic twist. While your toddler might not understand all the science-y details yet, they’ll still be delighted as they watch the white daisy petals take on red and blue hues throughout the day. They also make a great sparkler alternative for your little one to wave around! Paper Tube Firework Stamps Say hello to the easiest, cheapest Fourth of July activity ever. Just repurpose some old paper towel or toilet paper tubes into firework stamps and use whatever paint and paper you have on hand.Now finish off the planning by adding a few of these Kid-friendly Summer BBQ Ideas to your July 4th menu, and the whole family is set for some Fourth of July food and fun!
Creating a Safe Outdoor Play Area
Ready to get your mini-mes playing outside all summer long? Setting up an awesome outdoor play area will help them love their time outdoors, and making it safe will give you peace of mind. Instead of focusing on getting alllll the outdoor toys, think by category of play instead. Set up areas that encourage each of the following types of play, and they’ll take it from there. Active Play Usually, when we think of outdoor play, we picture active play! Any type of play that helps kids get their heart rates up, move their bodies, and practice new skills fits the bill. To give kids a variety of activities to choose from, try to think of ways your outdoor play area can encourage all of these types of movements: Running Jumping Climbing Balancing Hanging Vestibular system-building activities like swinging or being upside down Hand-eye coordination activities like throwing, catching, batting, etc Maximum effort activities like lifting heavy objects Swing sets (especially with monkey bars and climbing features) can check a lot of these boxes. Other inexpensive ways to encourage movement are balance beams, ball activities (t-ball, soccer goals, basketball goals, etc.), and plain ol’ open space. Risk-taking Play Do a few of the activities above sound a bit… scary? We get it. It’s tough to let our little ones climb to new heights (literally), but the risk-taking play has been shown to have valuable developmental and emotional benefits for kids. It helps them learn to evaluate risks and gain self-confidence. Your backyard may already have great options for reasonable risky play like a tree they can safely climb.Of course, some risks are too risky. That’s where kid-friendly outdoor toys and your parental judgment come in. Swing sets and outdoor playsets are a great way to let kids explore their urge to take risks in a way that is still age-appropriate. Pretend Play Pretend play often goes hand-in-hand with active play. Whether they’re running from a dragon or swinging from vines in the jungle, their pretend worlds are often their motivation to get active and moving – meaning some of your active play toys and areas will work double-duty to encourage pretend play too! Other ways to encourage pretend play outdoors include making your own fairy garden, bringing some indoor toys outdoors temporarily, and adding a playhouse where their imaginations can run wild! Constructive, Creative, & Sensory Play From mud kitchens to sandboxes to a nice, crunchy leaf pile, your backyard is full of ways for kids to get messy and get creative! Help them. Providing a few simple objects like gardening tools and buckets can go a long way to helping them see all the opportunities they have to build things, create art, explore natural objects. What to Remove: Sometimes, making a kids outdoor play area is just as much about what you remove from your space. To keep them safe and give them more freedom, try to make sure the play area is free of: Dangerous plants (anything poisonous, thorny, or rash-causing) Fire ant beds, wasp nests, etc. Holes, hidden stumps, and other tripping hazards Other hazards (nails protruding from the fence, etc.) It goes without saying, but you’ll also want to be sure any play equipment is installed properly. Make sure to include a safety zone – an area around the swing set or playset that is completely clear and ideally filled with a shock-absorbing loose-fill material.
6 Kids Summer Birthday Ideas for Kids
Summer birthdays are the best birthdays – no school, no stress, and the perfect season for fun outdoor kids birthday parties. This year outdoor birthday parties are back on and better than ever! We’ve got six super fun, super simple outdoor birthday party ideas for kids that you can do in your own backyard. Water Party Pool parties are a default kids summer birthday idea, but we think a water party might be even better – especially for kids without strong swimming skills. Parents can relax a little bit more, and the kids will still have tons of fun. Fill a kiddie pool with water balloons and soaker balls, set out some water guns, and get the sprinkler going! Backyard Free Play When you’ve got a backyard that’s decked out for play, the party entertainment takes care of itself. Swing sets, playhouses, and sandboxes will keep the kids playing all party long. Plus, they double as amazing birthday presents. Besides, is there anything more adorable than a playhouse decorated to match your party theme? (Need some proof? Check out our Instagram for some of the ridiculously adorable playhouse decor DIYs parents have shared). Backyard Tea Party or Picnic Spreading out a few blankets for a picnic is an easy, low-cost way to give your backyard dreamy summer vibes that are equally Insta-worthy and fun for the kids. Dress it up with cut flowers in mason jars and a tea set, or give it a camping feel with play tents. If it’s within the party budget, a kid-sized picnic table perfectly complements the theme, and you’ll get plenty of use out of it the rest of the summer too. Ice Cream Party What better way to celebrate and stay cool than with everyone’s favorite summertime treat? Set up an ice cream bar outside with all the toppings, and you’ve got a theme, snack, and an outdoor birthday activity in one. For a little extra fun, throw some of the candy toppings in an ice cream cone-shaped piñata. Bubble Party Easy and endlessly entertaining, bubbles are a theme in and of themselves. Get a few different kinds of bubble makers and let the kids go to town chasing and popping bubbles and seeing who can make the biggest one. Bubble machines let you keep a constant flow of bubbles for a whimsical feel – perfect for keeping toddlers entertained. For older kids, try bubble strings and nets. They take a little practice, so big kids will be engaged by the challenge... and they’ll get to create the biggest bubbles they’ve ever seen. Science Experiment Party Who says kids don’t learn in the summer? Hands-on science experiments are super fun, and there are plenty that are easy to do with a whole group of kids. Soda geysers and elephant toothpaste are both inexpensive classics that kids will love. There really are endless options for kids’ science experiments, so you’re sure to find several that your child and their friends will love. However you party, we wish your kiddo a very happy birthday!
How Long Do Outdoor Playsets Last
Before you invest in a playset, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth with a playset that lasts! It’s probably no surprise that we think quality wooden swingsets and playsets are the way to go. They outlast metal playsets and are significantly less expensive than vinyl playsets, making them the perfect combination of durability and affordability. Here’s what you can expect when you choose a KidKraft playset: How Long Do Wooden Playsets Last When Properly Maintained? When wooden outdoor playsets are made with quality lumber and are properly cared for, they have a very long life span – usually long enough to see your kids through all their playing years. From our tiniest toddler outdoor playsets to our largest, deluxe models, we’re proud to say that every KidKraft playset is made with premium cedar. This naturally rot-resistant wood can stand up to the elements for years without the need for dangerous chemicals that are sometimes used to pressure treat cheaper, less durable types of wood. We’re so confident in our materials that we offer a five year warranty for the structural integrity of our lumber against factors like rot and insect damage. With proper care, we expect our playsets to last even longer. All playset accessories such as slides and swings are covered under a one year warranty, though we would expect them to remain in great condition far longer than this. How to Maintain Wooden Playsets to Increase their Lifespan Ensure proper installation Making sure that your playset is properly installed is important not only for your kids’ safety but for the lifespan of the playset itself. Installing the playset on an uneven surface could lead to uneven weight distribution, stressing certain parts of the wood more than others. Follow our quick tips to make proper installation a breeze.Also, be sure to choose an installation area that doesn’t collect standing water during rain as this could make the base of your playset more prone to rot. Apply a yearly water-repellent stain This simple maintenance step is the best way to extend the life of your playset.. By applying a coat of water-repellant or stain once per year, you’ll protect the integrity of the wood from rot and water damage and keep it looking like new. If possible, remove plastic pieces during freezing temperatures All accessories and plastic pieces on KidKraft playsets are extremely durable, but like all plastics, they can become more brittle due to freezing temperatures. Now, a few freezing days or even weeks won’t ruin the structural integrity of your slides and swings – not by a long shot. But overtime, prolonged freezing temperatures can shorten the lifespan of those plastic pieces. Whenever possible, we recommend removing and storing plastic pieces during freezing temperatures to prolong their life, especially if you live in a cold climate with weeks or months of freezing temperatures.Overall, the exact lifespan of wooden playsets can vary according to quality of materials, climate, and maintenance habits. At KidKraft, we stand by our products with a five year warranty, and with proper care, we expect our quality cedar playsets to last two to three times longer depending on your climate. Shop our full line of wooden outdoor playsets, and be sure to check out our Comprehensive Swing Set Care Checklist to make sure yours lasts for years (and years and years) to come!
Wood vs. Metal Playset
Wood vs. Metal Playset When it comes to choosing the right backyard swing set, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is the material. And while both wood and metal have their place, we believe wood comes out on top for families looking for a safe, sturdy, and long-lasting playset. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key differences between metal vs. wood swing sets and explain why wood is the better choice for backyard fun that lasts for years. What is a metal playset? Metal playsets are typically made from painted or powder-coated steel and often come in simple A-frame designs with swings and a slide. While they’re a popular budget-friendly option, most residential versions aren’t as durable as they appear. Pros and Cons: Wooden vs. Metal Playsets The pros of wood—from durability to design—often make it the smarter, longer-lasting choice for families who want a backyard setup that grows with their kids. Wear and Tear At first glance, metal might seem like the tougher option—but most backyard metal playsets aren’t built like the heavy-duty equipment you see at public parks. Over time, paint can chip, rust can spread (often from the inside), and the structure can weaken. Wooden playsets, especially those made from rot-resistant cedar, are built to stand up to the elements for 10–15 years or more. Even as they weather, they stay strong. And if a board ever needs replacing, it’s a quick fix to keep the play going. Maintenance Wooden playsets need just a yearly coat of water-repellent stain to stay protected and looking great. Metal sets skip the stain but demand more vigilance—paint chips and rust spots require fast, sometimes time-consuming, repairs to prevent damage. When it comes to easy upkeep that pays off for years, wood keeps maintenance simple. Safety Both wood and metal can be safe when installed correctly, but wood has the edge when it comes to comfort. Unlike metal, which can become dangerously hot in the sun, wood stays cool to the touch, making it a kid-friendly choice in any season. Plus, it’s easy to anchor and customize to fit your yard safely. Versatility & Play Features Wooden playsets offer the ultimate in backyard adventure. From multi-level play decks and climbing walls to tunnels, clubhouses, and themed accessories, wood can do it all. Because of its natural strength and flexibility, wood makes it easy to build more complex structures that grow with your kids’ imaginations. As for metal playsets, while you might find a slide or ladder, most residential metal options are simple A-frame designs with limited expansion possibilities. Style There’s a reason wood never goes out of style; its warm, natural appearance blends beautifully with outdoor spaces, and it can be customized to match your backyard aesthetic. Want to paint it to match your home? Add a pop of color? Create a themed playhouse? With wood, it’s all possible. Check out our Instagram for some of our favorite custom paint jobs on wooden playsets! Metal sets, by contrast, often come in bright, glossy colors that can clash with your landscaping and offer little room for personalization. Cost While metal swing sets may be cheaper upfront, their shorter lifespan and limited features often make them a short-term solution. Wooden playsets, however, offer long-term value—especially when you factor in durability, versatility, and the ability to adapt as your children grow. Yes, there are top-tier commercial-grade metal sets available; but they often cost far more than even the most premium wooden swing sets. Next Steps Read about even more benefits of wood playsets in our Wood vs. Vinyl Playset comparison and get all our best tips in our How to Choose a Backyard Playset guide.Loving the look and benefits of wood? Shop our premium cedar wooden playsets and swing sets that are built for safety, durability, and non-stop backyard fun. With options for every yard size and budget, there’s a perfect fit waiting for your family.
Wood vs. Vinyl Playset
We know there’s a ton to consider when you’re in the market for a play set – including what it’s made of. That’s why we’re weighing the pros and cons of wood and vinyl playsets in this guide, so you can make the right choice for your family and get playtime started ASAP! What is a vinyl playset? “Wooden playset” is pretty self-explanatory, but what exactly is a vinyl playset? You might be surprised to learn that vinyl playsets also contain wood, but this wood is surrounded by a PVC vinyl coating, giving the swing set a plastic appearance. The support beams of a vinyl swing set are usually made from solid pine, while the deck and other parts are often made from composite woods (mixtures of recycled wood chips and plastic). Pros and Cons: Wooden vs. Vinyl Playsets Wear and Tear Wood: Both wood and vinyl playsets can last against years of wear and tear if cared for properly. Quality wood swing sets are made from rot-resistant woods like redwood and cedar or are pressure treated, so they can withstand the elements. Over time, some wear and tear such as warping and weathering are normal and don’t necessarily affect the structural integrity of the swing set.If a wood swing set does begin to rot (usually due to neglect or extreme age), rotting boards will need to be replaced to maintain safety.Vinyl: The coating of a vinyl playset is prone to very little wear and tear. As a plastic material, it will never rot, splinter, or warp. However, the interior wooden core can experience rot.While the vinyl coating will protect the wooden core for quite some time, it also traps any moisture that does get into the wooden interior. Over time, this can cause the wood inside to rot, and if this happens, very little can be done to salvage the playset. Maintenance Wood playsets will require a yearly coat of water repellent stain. Other than that, wood and vinyl playsets are very comparable in their maintenance requirements and usually just need to be spot-cleaned and monitored for rust, loose bolts, etc. Safety When properly assembled and cared for, both wood and vinyl playsets can be safe choices for your kids. Most safety issues appear over time as the playsets age. Wooden swing sets do have one major benefit over vinyl playsets in this area: any safety issues will be readily visible. Any overly-weathered wood is easy to spot and can be addressed before it becomes a hazard. With vinyl swing sets, however, those issues are often invisible. Because the wooden core is hidden by the vinyl exterior, rot is usually invisible. You may not even know it’s occurring until the structural integrity of the playset is already dangerously compromised. Style Of course, style is a matter of personal taste, but we do think wood swing sets have an edge on vinyl ones here. The aesthetic of wooden swing sets is a highly sought-after look at the moment, partially because wooden swing sets are so easy to customize. Whereas vinyl swing sets can’t take paint or stain, wooden swing sets can be easily painted, stained, and decorated to match your taste. And if those tastes change? Wooden swing sets can easily be re-painted and decorated to always be on season and on trend for your family. Check out our Instagram to see some of the gorgeous DIYs parents have done with KidKraft play sets. Cost In general, vinyl swing sets are significantly more expensive than wooden swing sets due to its low maintenance requirements. For minimal maintenance and similar or superior quality, KidKraft’s wooden playsets come in at a fraction of the cost. Applying a yearly coat of stain means you can pay up to three times less than you would for a vinyl playset and get a product that is equally durable and arguably safer. Want more info before you make a decision? Learn the ins and outs of metal swing sets too in our Wood vs. Metal Playset comparison and get all of our best tips in our How to Choose a Swing Set guide.
How to Install a Backyard Playset
Playing on a new swing set is fun! Shopping for a new swing set can be fun. But installing a new swing set? Call us crazy, but we think even that can be fun too – if you’ve got great instructions, the right tools, and a little help that is. Our step-by-step will walk you through how to install a backyard playset with minimal frustration… and maybe even a little fun! 1. Choose an Obstacle-free Area for Your Playset The perfect playset spot is free of obstacles like fences, trees, and other objects that could injure a child who falls or jumps off the playset. We recommend leaving six feet of clearance in every direction around your playset or following measurements of the ATSM-recommended safety zone that come with each KidKraft playset. 2. Level the Installation Area You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches if you make sure your installation area is level before you start building your playset. Most of us have slopes, mounds, and divots throughout our yard, so don’t neglect this essential step! Even if you think your yard is level, double-check with these steps: Start by placing stakes in the four corners of the area that needs to be leveled. (Note: You don’t need to level the entire safety zone, just the area where the playset will be installed.) Connect the stakes with a thick piece of string, positioning the string a few inches above the ground. Use a level to ensure that the string is level between each post. The string will serve as your reference point as you level the ground. Use a shovel to dig out the sod, being sure to flatten any raised areas and fill any low areas. You may need additional dirt or sand to fill some areas. When everything looks level and even with the string, you’re ready for a final check. Lay a long, straight board across the ground and place a level on top. Be sure to do this in multiple locations to ensure the entire area is level. See the process in action in this video! 3. Read Instructions & Take Inventory To make the assembly process as smooth as possible, we recommend thoroughly reading the instructions and taking an inventory of the pieces to make sure nothing is missing before you get started. Knowing what and where each piece is will make assembly much smoother! 4. Assemble & Anchor You’ve measured, you’ve leveled, you’ve read the instructions, and now it’s time to get building! This is usually the most time-consuming part of the installation process, so budget an appropriate amount of time and make sure you have all the tools mentioned in the instruction manual before you get started. You’ll also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member – we recommend at least two people work on assembling most KidKraft playsets.For specifics, be sure to continually refer to the instructions included with your playset. 5. Add Protective Loose Fill Always wait to add your protective loose fill material until after the swing set has been securely anchored to the ground. Once it’s in place, it’s time to add the protective loose fill material to the safety zone. You’ll need at least 9’ of material for most playsets or at least 6” if the lowest surface is less than 4’ high. Mulch and woodchips designed for playground use are the most common choices for protective material. Contain it by adding some landscaping edging or digging around the perimeter. 6. Play! FINALLY! All that hard work feels more than worth it kids finally get to play on their brand new playset. Now, your only job is pushing them on the swings and soaking in those smiles!
5 Tips to Get Your Kids Outdoors
We know that outdoor time is great for kids’ health, happiness, and development – but getting outside every day is easier said than done. With warm weather here, now is the perfect time to build more outdoor time into your family’s routine, whether that means hitting the local state park or just spending more time in the backyard. Here are five ways you can find outdoor adventures and activities that work for your family! Set Your Own Goals There’s no right way to spend time outdoors, so do it your way and set some goals you’ll actually enjoy sticking to. Maybe that means mornings at the park, having some backyard picnics, or checking out the trails at the local state park on weekends. State and city park websites and local Facebook parent groups are great places to get ideas for outdoor activities in your area. Simplify the Getting-Out-the-Door Process The toughest thing about spending more time outside often isn’t finding things to do outdoors– it’s getting out of the door in the first place! From toddler tantrums to lost shoes to the all the time it takes to eat and get dressed, there are a ton of hurdles between you and the front door.Try to clear a few of those hurdles with a little prep work. What you do will depend on your own goals for outdoor time and your family. That might mean pre-packing the car diaper bags, socks, shoes, and jackets. Or maybe it means packing an easy make-ahead breakfast or snack to eat at the park. Invest in Some Outdoor Clothes and Gear Have you ever heard the saying “There’s no bad weather, only bad gear”? It’s a favorite among the outdoorsy crowd, and we have a feeling your kids would agree too! You don’t have to get super fancy here. A wide brimmed hat and sun shirts are great for sunny days too! This philosophy will help you feel free to go outside on days where the weather is less than perfect – and actually enjoy it! Check Out 1000 Hours Outside The goal of 1000 Hours Outside is simple: help your kids spend 1000 hours outside every year. Sound crazy? The creator was actually inspired by a similar number: the amount of time kids spend on screens, which averages around 1200 hours per year. They’ve got tips for outdoor activities and trackers to log your time outdoors and help get the kids excited about the goal.And no worries if 1000 Hours isn’t doable for your family – that’s a high goal, and it’s better to start slow and steady than to get discouraged by unrealistic expectations. Stick to your own goals for more outdoor time and just use their tips and inspiration to help you along the way! Make Your Yard Kid-Friendly We love the idea of kids spending hours out in nature, but sometimes (maybe a lot of the time), getting to a park or trail just isn’t happening. That’s when a kid-friendly yard makes all the difference. The kids can spend time outdoors while you wait for the repairman, work from home, or just relax on the porch. Oh – and the “getting out the door” challenge is taken care of too. There’s no shame in playing barefoot in your PJs when you’re in your own backyard.To make a yard kid-friendly, you need three things: freedom, safety, and play opportunities. The first two go hand-in-hand. You can give the kids more freedom to explore when you know that the fence is secure or that they aren't stumbling into poison ivy. Play opportunities can include anything from a magnifying glass and a shovel to a swing set and slide. Try to create opportunities for different kinds of play. For example, playhouses are great for imaginative play; gardening tools are great for sensory play and exploration; and larger toys like swing sets and climbers are great for active physical play. Deciding to get outdoors more is an amazing first step! Don’t be surprised if your kids need a little time to transition if they’re not used to this much outdoor time. At first, they might need a little help finding fun things to do – our 12 Outdoor Play Ideas for Kids can help with that! With time, you’ll see them become more independent and creative as they create their own ways to play and explore outside. Looking to shop for outdoor toys by age? Explore our collections for 18 months-to-3 year olds, 3-to-8 year olds, and 8 year olds and up.