Published: May 15, 2008 EST

(ARA) - When you're at home after work or on the weekends, where would you rather spend the majority of your time?  Inside doing household chores or outside enjoying the backyard?  If you'd rather be inside, that's probably because your backyard isn't as attractive as it could be. So how do you make your backyard more enticing?  If all you have back there is grass and trees, do some landscaping to add color and interest; a deck which will serve as a place for hanging out and socializing; and for the kids, a backyard play set.  

Numerous studies have found that play sets are essential not only for building a child's physical strength, but mental well-being as well. They help children develop manipulative skills; improve their problem solving skills; and increase their imagination and creativity.

"When they make the decision to buy a playground set, some people go shopping at a toy store or discount retailer.  What most of these consumers don't realize is that although the initial purchase price may seem attractive, when they go that route they are usually sacrificing quality.  The kids will loose interest and stop playing on a playground that is basic no frills.  If it's not customizable or designed to be added on to or upgraded over time, it will become obsolete in no time," says Karl Jessen, owner of Detailed Play Systems, a New Jersey-based playground company that sells kits parents can buy to put playground sets together themselves.

Jessen started his company in 1998 after realizing he had found a niche in the playground business that needed to be filled.  "When my boys were 4 and 1 1/2, I started looking into getting a play set for them, and the prices for quality sets were so high that I decided to build one myself rather than skimp on the size, features, or strength of the playground to save money.  At the time, no one was selling do-it-yourself playground kits that met my standards, and that gave me the idea to start a business whose mission would be to help other parents build quality playgrounds for their families that won't break the bank."

With input from his boys, Jessen put together a set of kits that include the detailed plans to build several playground configurations along with the galvanized bolt and screw hardware necessary to put the sets together and the vinyl roof tops.  Accessories such as swings, slides, monkey bars, tire swings, gang planks and climbing walls can be added on.  If you're thinking about building a playground set for your own child, Jessen recommends you start by sitting down with your son or daughter and making a list of the features he or she wants.

The company's most popular kit, the Jungle Fort Swing Set, (detailedplay.com), sells for $389. It features a 6 by 6 platform with sandbox underneath, an inclined step ladder, gangplank ramp, and 3- or 4-position swing set.  Slides, monkey bars and a rock climbing wall are sold separately allowing customers to fully customize the playground kit to their needs.

"The best part is how your system can change over time, to create the perfect playground for your children based on their needs and interests, says Jessen. "Accessories such as periscopes, telescopes, steering wheels and specialty swings can be added on as children grow. Or maybe they have their heart set on wave slides and trapeze bars. Whatever they love to do, from climbing to spinning, you can create the perfect set-up."

Detailed Play Systems is based in New Jersey, but does most of its business online and through catalogs. To order a catalog, call (800) 398-7565 or log on to www.detailedplay.com. Shipping is available in the 48 contiguous United States.

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