Having a swimming pool in your backyard can be a fun way to cool off during the hot summer months. However, installing and maintaining a pool requires a significant investment of time, money and effort. If you’ve considered adding a pool but aren’t sure it’s the right choice for your home, there are many pool alternatives to consider that provide entertainment, exercise and beauty without the responsibilities of pool ownership.
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Play Areas
One of the main reasons families want a pool is to have a place for kids to play and be active outdoors. But there are plenty of pool-free play options that provide hours of fun without the safety concerns and maintenance of a pool.
Playsets
Playsets come in endless shapes, sizes and styles to suit the needs of different families. Basic playsets include things like:
- Swing sets
- Slides
- Climbing structures
- monkey bars
More elaborate playsets can include multi-level structures, rock climbing walls, rope ladders, tunnels, fire poles and more. Consider the age of your kids and what structures will be most enjoyable and safe for them over the next several years when choosing a playset.
Trampolines
Bouncing on a trampoline is loads of fun for kids of all ages. Trampolines can range from small individual bounce surfaces to large trampolines perfect for multiple jumpers. Adding a trampoline safety net provides an added layer of protection. Make sure to set ground rules and provide supervision when kids are on the trampoline.
Sandboxes
Sandboxes make wonderful play spaces for younger kids to dig, pour, sift and let their imaginations run wild. Stock the sandbox with pails, shovels, molds, trucks and other toys that promote creative play. Cover your sandbox when not in use to keep it clean. Having a sandbox nearby while supervising older kids at play provides a fun activity for younger siblings.
Water Play Alternatives
You can still enjoy many of the water activities pools offer without installing an in-ground or above-ground pool in your yard. Consider these pool-free water fun ideas:
Splash Pads
Splash pads feature fountains, sprinklers and sprayers that shoot water straight up from the ground for kids to play in. The water drains away, so there is no standing water. Many new playsets include integrated splash pads with tipping buckets, spray loops and other water features.
Water Tables
Water tables make great toddler water play stations. They have a shallow basin filled with just a few inches of water and include features like water wheels, dams, channels, funnels and water mills. Water tables keep kids contained in one spot and engaged in interactive play.
Slip N Slides
Slip N Slides provide hours of sliding fun in the backyard. Lay the slide out on the grass, hook up the hose to provide water flow and take turns sliding from one end to the other. Make safety a priority by only allowing one slider at a time and ensuring the landing area is clear.
Sprinklers
Turn on sprinklers and let kids frolic in the sprays and mist on hot days. Simple sprinklers attach to your hose, or install permanent sprinkler systems or underground pop-up sprinklers to create spontaneous water fun. Just be sure kids have waterproof sandals or aqua socks to avoid slippery feet.
Water Balloon Games
Fill up a bucket of water balloons and enjoy water fights, water balloon tosses and races. Have a few towels on hand when the games wrap up. Supervise young kids closely during water balloon activities.
Backyard Games
The right backyard games provide outdoor fun for the whole family without needing a pool. Some top backyard game ideas include:
Cornhole Toss
Also known as bean bag toss, cornhole involves tossing bean bags at an inclined board with a hole cut in the far end. Players earn points for getting the bags in the hole. You can buy a cornhole set or make your own boards and bean bags.
Ladder Golf
In this game, players take turns tossing bolas at a ladder-style frame hoping to wrap the ropes around the rungs. The highest scores go to bolas that wrap exactly around the rungs. Ladder golf bolas have a weight on each end of the rope to aid in wrapping.
Giant Yard Games
Oversized versions of classic games like checkers, chess, Yahtzee and connect four are perfect for outdoor gaming. Giant game pieces and boards are easy for small kids to maneuver and make games more visible and engaging for a group.
Yard Twister
Like the classic Twister game, players take turns spinning the wheel and placing hands and feet on colored dots. But yard Twister scales everything up with giant mats suitable for outdoor fun. It’s also great for groups since more people can play at once on the oversized mats.
Space for Relaxation
Creating a space to relax, unwind and enjoy nature is a lovely alternative to a pool. Some calming backyard ideas include:
Patio or Deck
Having a shaded patio or open deck greatly enhances your ability to enjoy the yard. Furnish the space with comfortable chairs, loungers, tables and other accessories that allow you to dine, read, nap or simply gaze out at the scenery.
Outdoor Kitchen
Cook, dine and entertain outdoors with an outdoor kitchen adjacent to your patio or deck. From elaborate kitchens with plumbing and electricity to basic modular grilling stations, an outdoor kitchen extends your living space.
Hammock
Few places rival a hammock for peaceful relaxation. String a hammock between two trees or posts, hop in and sway gently in the breeze. Portable hammock frames allow you to set up a hammock anywhere.
Fire Pit
Cozy up around flickering flames in your own backyard with a fire pit. Fire pits come in wood burning and gas models. Choose accessories like grates, cooking surfaces and toolsets to enhance functionality.
Landscaping Options
With the right plants and landscaping features, you can create an inviting outdoor oasis perfect for lounging and enjoying nature’s beauty.
Shade Trees
Plant trees like maples, oaks, honey locusts and sycamores to provide shade from the hot sun. Position trees strategically to shade your house, patios or other areas where you want to sit outdoors.
Flower Gardens
Add splashes of color and visual interest by planting flower beds and gardens. Select native perennials suited to your climate and mix in annuals for seasonal color displays.
Water Features
The sights and sounds of moving water create a serene backyard retreat. Install features like ponds, fountains, streams and waterfalls to invite relaxation.
Seating Areas
Tuck away intimate seating spots like an iron bench under a willow tree or a twig chair surrounded by flower beds. Scatter seating areas around the yard to provide cozy places to savor the landscape.
Safety Considerations
When installing any backyard amenities, keep safety at the forefront. Here are some key considerations:
- Carefully supervise children at all times around play equipment, water features and fire pits.
- Select play equipment that is age-appropriate for your children.
- Ensure play areas have soft surfacing like mulch, sand or rubber under equipment.
- Limit playset heights to 6-8 feet tall for home use.
- Check equipment and surfacing regularly for needed repairs.
- Position playsets at least 6 feet away from fences and other structures.
- Teach children pool safety rules around splash pads and water play areas.
- Fence in backyard ponds and streams so children cannot access without adult supervision.
- Locate fire pits well away from overhangs, shrubs and other combustibles.
- Supervise fire pits at all times and fully extinguish flames when done.
Cost Comparisons
Installing a backyard pool costs $30,000 to $60,000 on average for materials, permitting and professional installation. You’ll also face annual maintenance costs averaging $3,000 for chemicals, cleaning, heating and repairs.
Most pool alternatives provide enjoyable outdoor features at a fraction of the cost. Here are estimated costs for some top options:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Playset | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Trampoline | $200 – $2,000 |
| Sandbox | $50 – $500 |
| Splash Pad | $500 – $2,000 |
| Giant Yard Games | $50 – $300 per game |
| Patio or Deck | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Outdoor Kitchen | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Hammock | $100 – $600 |
| Fire Pit | $100 – $2,500 |
| Landscaping | Varies greatly |
Conclusion
Swimming pools undoubtedly provide fun and appeal in backyards, but require major investments. Luckily, pools are not the only way to create an enjoyable outdoor living space. With the range of play areas, water features, relaxation nooks, games, landscaping elements and other options available, you can craft a backyard oasis tailored to your family’s needs and budget.
Take time to consider which amenities will provide the most use, enjoyment and appropriate safety. Do your homework to understand the costs and responsibilities different additions will require. With creativity and proper planning, you can design a backyard that delivers all the fun your family desires without the need for a pool.