Why Outdoor Play Is So Important for Your Child’s Development

May 21, 2025

As parents, we all want what’s best for our kids—to see them grow strong, confident, and happy. At Emerald Playsets, we believe one of the best ways to support your child’s growth is simple: get them outside to play.


Outdoor play isn’t just a fun way to burn off energy—it’s a powerful tool for helping kids learn, grow, and thrive in all areas of development. Whether it’s swinging, climbing, or pretending the backyard is a pirate ship, every moment outside makes a difference.


Let’s take a closer look at the real developmental benefits of outdoor play, and why your backyard could be the perfect place to help your child grow.


Builds Strong Bodies

When kids play outside, they move their whole bodies—and that’s great for their physical development.

With a quality playset, kids can:

  • Strengthen muscles by climbing, swinging, and jumping
  • Improve balance and coordination
  • Boost endurance and stay active
  • Develop better motor skills (both big and small!)


Backyard play keeps kids healthy and strong, and it sets the stage for an active lifestyle as they grow.


Grows Curious Minds

Outdoor play is full of discovery. When kids explore and use their imagination, they’re learning without even realizing it.

Outdoor play supports:

  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Creativity and storytelling through pretend play
  • Focus and attention (especially helpful for kids with lots of energy!)
  • Confidence as they take on new challenges

A playset becomes so much more than just a slide—it’s a rocket ship, a treehouse, or a secret hideout. And every adventure helps your child think bigger.


Teaches Social & Emotional Skills

Playing outside with siblings, neighbors, or friends is a great way for kids to learn how to get along with others.

Here’s how outdoor play helps:

  • Teaches sharing and teamwork
  • Encourages leadership and cooperation
  • Builds empathy and patience
  • Gives kids space to express their emotions and try new things


When kids play freely, they learn how to solve problems, make decisions, and build relationships—all while having fun.


Boosts Mood and Mental Health

Sunshine, fresh air, and open space aren’t just good for the body—they’re great for the soul.

Spending time outdoors can help kids:

  • Feel calmer and more focused
  • Sleep better at night
  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Improve overall happiness


Even just 20 minutes of outdoor play each day can make a big difference in your child’s mood and mindset.


Make Outdoor Play Part of Everyday Life

Adding a custom backyard playset makes it easier (and more fun) for your kids to get outside every day. At Emerald Playsets, we build playsets that are safe, durable, and totally unique to your family.


Whether you’re looking for swings, slides, climbing walls, or cozy forts, we’ll help you create a space where your kids can grow, learn, and just be kids.


Ready to Help Your Kids Thrive?

Give your child the gift of outdoor play.
Explore our custom playsets
Get in touch with us to start designing your dream backyard!

A wooden playground with a blue slide and stairs

Why Customizable Playsets Are Worth the Investment

May 12, 2025
When I think back to my childhood, some of my best memories involve running around outside, climbing, sliding, and swinging for hours. As a parent now, I want my kids to have those same experiences — but even better. That’s why finding the perfect backyard playset was so important to me. After a lot of research, I realized that customizable playsets are not just a fun addition to the backyard — they’re an investment in my kids’ health, creativity, and happiness. If you're considering adding a play area to your yard, here’s why a customizable wooden playset from Emerald Playsets is absolutely worth it. 1. Designed for Your Family’s Needs No two families are alike — and neither are your kids’ imaginations. When you choose a customizable playset, you can design it around what your children love most. Dreaming of a giant spiral slide? Want a tower and bridge setup for your little adventurers? Need something compact because you have a smaller yard? No problem. At Emerald Playsets, you can choose from slides, swings, monkey bars, rock walls, and so much more — all sized and built for your unique space. Our outdoor playsets are perfect for both large properties and small yards alike, making it easy to create a backyard playground that fits like a glove. 2. A Playset That Grows With Your Kids One of my biggest fears was investing in a playset that my kids would outgrow in a year or two. That's why customizable backyard playsets are such a smart choice. You can start with features designed for younger kids, like toddler swings and low platforms, and later expand with taller towers, rope ladders, and more challenging climbing walls as they grow. Emerald Playsets offers flexible designs that allow you to add on — giving your kids new adventures to explore as they get older and more active. 3. Superior Quality Means Long-Term Value When it comes to something my kids will use every day, quality matters. Many mass-produced playsets you see in big-box stores just don’t compare to the craftsmanship you get with a custom-made, durable wooden playset from Emerald Playsets. Built from high-quality materials that resist weather, wear, and tear, our durable playsets are made to last through years of rough-and-tumble fun — and still look great. Investing in a quality structure now saves you the cost (and headache) of frequent repairs or early replacement later. And let’s be honest — knowing your kids are playing on one of the safest, sturdiest structures available is priceless. Emerald Playsets' commitment to building safe playsets for kids means everything is thoughtfully designed to prevent accidents and injuries. 4. Boosts Outdoor Activity and Creativity We all know how tough it can be to get kids off screens these days. Our playset completely transformed our backyard into a place my kids want to be. Instead of spending afternoons on the couch, they’re climbing, swinging, sliding, and imagining entire worlds of adventure right outside our door. A thoughtfully designed backyard playset encourages physical activity, builds strength and coordination, and sparks creativity. It’s one of the best ways to keep kids healthy, engaged, and energized — all while having fun. 5. Creates Lifelong Family Memories The benefits go beyond just the kids. Building, playing, and even just watching them grow on our playset has created unforgettable memories for our family. From first climbs to fearless swings, we’ve shared moments of laughter, pride, and pure joy — and it’s all happened right in our backyard. When you invest in one of the best playsets for families, you’re not just buying swings and slides. You’re investing in experiences that will shape your children's childhood and leave your family with lasting stories to tell. Ready to Create Your Family’s Favorite Spot? Choosing a customizable playset from Emerald Playsets means choosing adventure, creativity, and quality for years to come. Whether you have a wide open backyard or a cozy small yard, we’ll help you create the perfect space for your kids to dream, play, and grow. Contact Us Now to get your playset journey started! Build memories. Build adventures. Build a backyard your family will love for a lifetime.