TUCSON, AZ - Installing jungle gyms or mini-soccer fields in the yard may seem daunting, but carving out play areas for children doesn't have to involve a major construction headache.

Designing a playground outdoors can be as simple as clearing a spot in the yard, making sure it's a safe space free of cacti — and asking the kids what they want to do there.

"Remember, your kids aren't going to walk a nice tight area around a play system," said Walter Koch, a home builder who recently finished installing a jungle gym for his 3-year-old daughter, Alli.

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This article is more about building playspaces in your own back yard instead of big, public playspaces.

• "Size wasn't a real factor in it," Koch said. The family's backyard playground is "as big as necessary for the surrounding area to be free of any safety obstructions."
• Be realistic about how much space you need. Don't fall in love with a piece of equipment and then force it into a space that's too small.
• Homeowners typically need 500 to 700 square feet of yard space to accommodate a play set, said Dennis Artery, owner of Tucson Play Systems Inc.Tucson Play Systems employs certified playground-safety instructors who provide guidance throughout the design and installation stages. He suggests that people not try to put structures up by themselves.
• Choosing ground cover is another step in the design process of a playground. Grass may be enough for kicking a ball around, but shock-absorbing materials are recommended for play sets. Common ground covers include sand, pea gravel, wood fiber and rubber mulch. Landscape designers say the advantage with materials such as gravel is that they are easy to scrape away once the kids head off to college.