Anonymous wrote:They won't be playing in the backyard, they just won't. You dream of this happening, but it won't. They will be seeking other kids and probably playing in a-more-common area. Or the chance that it's your backyard is very slim.

Most likely basement with screen time.

They won't be playing in the backyard, they just won't. You dream of this happening, but it won't. They will be seeking other kids and probably playing in a-more-common area. Or the chance that it's your backyard is very slim.

What a weird idea.

Just terrace a small area for the kids stuf.

Our front yard is a hill and the kids love it for sledding.

Flat for a swingset is definitely not necessary. Gardenable for me a requirement, as is space to sit and to put a kiddie pool. Our kids have outgrown the kiddie pool and would have outgrown the swing set if we had one. But gardens are forever.

When buying you have to compromise on this or or on that.

We have a huge, terraced back yard. The kids love it. They run around, jump off the brick walls, hide in the bushes, tear up and down the stairs, etc. The front driveway is for basketball, the front yard is for kicking soccer balls, but all running and playing is in the backyard.

None of our neighbors have play equipment and all have decently large yards. That's what neighborhood parks are for.

I don't care as long as there's a park nearby (like within a block or two).

We have a wooded backyard that's not totally flat. Kids play mostly on the driveway (water table when younger; now basketball hoop etc). They kick soccer balls against the garage etc. Not ideal but the yard is SO lovely we make it work.

Anonymous wrote:Definite deal breaker. You need at least one flat surface in your yard where you can put a play structure, and maybe a kiddie pool for the summer.

You can put a kiddo pool and water table on a deck, but can't put swings on a deck.

Definite deal breaker. You need at least one flat surface in your yard where you can put a play structure, and maybe a kiddie pool for the summer.

Anonymous wrote:With young kids, yes it would be a dealbreaker for me. What's the point of a suburban yard little kids can't safely play in.

Agree. What’s the point of any yard if it’s not usable, even minimally.

With young kids, yes it would be a dealbreaker for me. What's the point of a suburban yard little kids can't safely play in.

what is your budget and area

My husband and I disagree. We have two kids under 3. I think a flat yard big enough for a small swing set is a deal breaker. What do you think?