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This year Mickey and I really wanted a more Kid friendly backyard.  We wanted to re-do our back yard.  It was a mess of dirt, old outdoor playground sets and just a mess… there really isn’t any other word for it.   Thanks to the amazing help of Hayneedle, we now have the most AMAZING back yard.   Pictures will do it more justice than my words…

Here are some BEFORE PICTURES: 

Before: side yard

yard 50
Before:  under the porch

yard2

Before: playground set:

yard1 yard3

Before: play house.
yard5

Before play area:

before yard
yard15
Before birds eye view:

yard7
yard13
Before shed:

yard12
So… you see how much of a disaster it was?   The kids never wanted to play out there and I couldn’t blame them.  I didn’t either.

Now, we found some things on Hayneedle that we really wanted, like this ADORABLE PLAY HOUSE!!!  Once everything came in, Mickey and my dad got to work.   Here are the after photos:

AFTER: SIDE YARD.

Finished Yard 1

AFTER: UNDER THE PORCH: 
finished yard 3

UNDER THE PORCH:
finished yard 5

NEW SANDBOX UNDER THE PORCH (this keeps the sun from making the sand too hot and it lets the kids play without the worry of the sun).  We ordered the Child Forms Sandbox Package-4 x 8

(Item # HN-CFM017 on Hayneedle)  We liked it for these reasons: 

  • Polyethylene Funtimbers™ far exceed standard wood borders
  • Polywoven canvas sand cover provides weather protection
  • Extremely easy installation requires only six spikes
  • Will not fade, rot, or fall apart like wooden sandboxes
  • Dimensions: 4W x 8L feet

 

finished yard 14

Plus the cover is easy to remove & put back on to keep everything out… except the kids.

finished yard 21

View from playset:

finished yard 6
NEW: slide & repainted shed:

finished yard 10

Mickey built this slide area for the kids.  They do races on the slide & love it!

finished yard 11

finished yard 2

AFTER: BRAND NEW PLAY HOUSE. 

Little Cottage 8 x 8 Cape Cod Wood Playhouse

 Item # HN-LIT050 on Hayneedle.com

  • Talk to their Little Cottage product specialists! Call 866-579-5183.
  • Lift-gate delivery service included!
  • Safe, durable LP Smart Side construction
  • House dimensions: approximately 8W x 8D x 8H feet
  • Parts are pre-cut and panelized for easy assembly
  • Paint it any color!The playhouse came ready to assemble, along with almost everything you need to build it quickly and easily. We picked black & white to match the shed and we are working on the inside with Allie’s help … it couldn’t be easier thanks to the downloadable full-color manual provided with purchase. It was easy to put together (well- for Mickey & my dad… not me!) and it came with:
    • 2×4 wood wall and truss framing
    • High-quality siding and trim pre-fastened to wall panels
    • Panelized, pre-cut wall sections
    • Assembly hardware
    • White aluminum outside corner trim
    • 2 working Plexiglass windows with screens and frames, 12 x 18 inches each
    • Shutters and 2 flowerboxes
    • 2 Cape Cod dormers (non-functioning)
    • 2 grid windows in dormers (non-functioning)
    • Child Dutch door for front of house (20W x 40H inches)
    • Adult Dutch door for side of house (34W x 61.5H inches)

    Everything was pre-cut and in ready-to-assemble condition, and the trim and siding came primed and ready for paint. You supply paint, Dripedge (roof edging), and shingles.

finished yard 8

finished yard 16

finished yard 12

finished yard 13

finished yard 20

AFTER: NEW PLAYSET.

Component Playgrounds Abby Metal Swing Set

 Item # HN-CPG016 on Hayneedle.com

You can find it here.  We truly debated which swinger to buy, but after realizing that most of our kids & their friends are already either tweens or at least going to be tweens soon, we decided to go with this metal swingset.   Here are some reasons that we liked it:

  • Overall dimensions: 19L x 17W x 10H feet
  • We could call their product specialists: 866-579-5183
  • Durable CP 40 metal piping
  • Ball-bearing swing hangers
  • Concrete-mounted for stability

    What’s Included: Frame, 4 Swings, Monkey Bars, Trapeze Bar, Gymnastic Rings, All Necessary Hardware

    Apart from all the great features kids will enjoy, this residential swing set has design and safety elements to put parents’ minds at ease. The metal piping is cement-mounted to prevent shaking and extra thick to ensure a long life, perfect for our kids. The swing seats are an ultra-durable polymer that resists normal wear and tear.

finished yard 18 finished yard 19

 

finished yard 7

One last before & after… 

before and after yard

I could not have been happier!   I have recommended Hayneedle to everyone since doing this project!  It has been a dream come true.    They were SO easy to work with and if you have done huge projects, you know how frustrating it can be to work with a company that isn’t easy to work with.  When I find a company like Hayneedle, I don’t take it lightly.

The kids have enjoyed the back yard – it is like an all day recess for them!

swing set

Hi there!

I’m Becky, a former elementary school teacher turned certified child development therapist and blogger. I work at home with my husband and together we are raising (and partially homeschooling) our four children in the Carolinas. I love diet coke, ice cream, and spending time with my family.

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1 Comment

  1. This is adorable!! I am looking for quick plans because I am not an expert builder but really want a playhouse for the littles this year. My oldest turns 4 next week & would LOVE to give her a playhouse for her birthday. Yours looks like I MIGHT be able to accomplish it in time. Thank you!