Planning and Resources

You want a playset for your kids, but your yard is on the smaller side. Maybe you have measured the space, looked at a few catalogs, and started wondering if a playset for a small yard is even realistic. It is. You just need to think about the layout differently....

It's time to winterize your backyard playset and outdoor play equipment before St. Louis cold weather arrives. Between the summer heat, fall temperature swings, and winter ice, your gear takes a real beating from the elements. [IMAGE: Playset in a fall backyard...

Bergfeld Recreation St. Louis has been helping families create outdoor play spaces for over 65 years. In that time, we've watched childhood change dramatically. Screens now compete for every free minute. But one thing hasn't changed: when you give kids a great...

Can you really build a backyard pickleball court at your home? Yes, and it's more practical than you might think. Courts are packed at every public park, and rec centers have long wait lists. So more homeowners are bringing the game home. Here's everything you need to...

Summer gets all the attention for outdoor play. But the real screen time battle happens during the school year. If you want to keep kids active after school, you need a plan and a backyard that makes outdoor play the easy choice. When kids get home from class, the...

A backyard putting green in St. Louis used to feel like a luxury only country clubs could offer. Not anymore. Modern synthetic turf has made residential putting greens more realistic, more durable, and more affordable than ever. For St. Louis families, a backyard...

Looking for outdoor activities for kids in St. Louis? You're in the right city. Between the parks, trails, and big suburban backyards, St. Louis offers more ways to get kids outside than almost anywhere. The challenge isn't finding things to do. It's making outdoor...

A backyard basketball court in St. Louis might sound like a luxury. But for families with active kids, it quickly becomes one of the most-used features on the property. Unlike equipment kids outgrow, a sport court serves the whole family for decades. If you've been...

If you're reading this Springfree trampoline review, you're likely trying to figure out whether it's worth the higher price tag. The short answer: for most families, yes. But let's walk through the details so you can decide for yourself. There are two very different...

Looking for backyard ideas for kids in St. Louis? Summer break is almost here. And if you're a local parent, you're probably wondering how to keep your children busy for three months without handing them a screen. The CDC says kids need at least 60 minutes of physical...

Looking for a complete in-ground basketball hoop guide? You've come to the right place. A hoop in the driveway is one of the best things you can add to a family home. It's where kids shoot free throws after school. It's where neighbors show up for weekend games. And...

If you're a parent in 2026, you already know the tension. Screens are everywhere, phones, tablets, TVs, gaming consoles, school-issued laptops. They're useful, sometimes necessary, and undeniably magnetic for kids. But somewhere in the back of your mind, there's a...

Choosing a playset for your backyard is one of those decisions that sounds simple until you start looking. There are hundreds of options, a wide range of prices, and a lot of promises from manufacturers you've never heard of. How do you sort through the noise and find...

Every March, basketball fans across St. Louis gather around TVs to watch the excitement of the NCAA tournament. Buzzer beaters, bracket busting upsets, and championship dreams make March Madness one of the most exciting times of the year for sports fans. For many...

When schools, churches, municipalities, and community organizations invest in a playground, they’re doing far more than purchasing equipment. They’re creating a space where children build confidence, friendships, and lifelong habits of healthy play. Choosing the right...

Most parents aren’t shopping for fun just for fun’s sake. They’re trying to solve a bigger problem: How do I get my kids outside, moving, and making real memories instead of staring at screens all day? That’s why backyard trampolines have become one of the most...

Most parents don’t set out to buy a basketball hoop solely for fun. They’re trying to solve a bigger problem. They want their kids outside, active, and building confidence instead of sitting inside glued to screens. They want something safe, durable, and worth the...

Raising kids in St. Louis comes with its own rhythms: hot summers, unpredictable weather, busy school schedules, and like most families experience a constant tug-of-war between outdoor play and screen time. Parents want their kids outside more, moving, imagining,...

When families think about transforming their outdoor spaces, they often imagine patios, gardens, or maybe a swing set. But more and more families are discovering something that brings fun, fitness, and connection into their own backyard: backyard sport courts. If...

Every year, parents and grandparents search for the Christmas gift that truly matters — something meaningful, lasting, and unforgettable. You want to give your kids something they’ll use for years, not something that ends up in the donation pile by February. That’s...