How We Created a Kid-Friendly Backyard at Our Play House

When we first bought Our Play House, the backyard looked very different than it does today. It wasn’t made for kids. It wasn’t made for games. And it definitely wasn’t made for memories.

But I kept thinking about my mom’s childhood playhouse and how the best memories come from simple outdoor fun. That idea became the heart of our backyard makeover.

This is the story of how we turned a plain space into a place families love.

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Before: A Backyard That Didn’t Invite Play

When we started, the backyard was filled with lava rock, cactus, red dirt and open areas that weren’t very safe or comfortable for kids. There wasn’t a spot to sit, play, or relax together. Just a table on a small patio.

It felt unfinished and unused.

All I asked for Christmas was help from our family to help us get rid of the lava rocks and move plants.

Everyone was willing to help!

It took all day of hard work. But finally we had all of the lava rocks removed.

FINISHED! Only one more thing... What are we going to do with this BIG rock...

As a host, I knew the backyard could be more than just “extra space.”

It could be a reason families chose to stay.

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Creating the Space: Safety First, Fun Always

Augh... What are we going to do with that BIG ROCK???

We learned that memories don't come from perfection. They come from making it work.

We couldn't move the rock, so we built the memory around it. It became Ariel's Rock.

This rock was so big we couldn’t move it, so we poured cement around it and left it. What started as a challenge quickly became the kids’ favorite place to climb, sit, and play. It reminds us that not everything that gets in the way needs to be removed. Sometimes it just needs a new purpose.

One step at a time...

Cement finished... Next came the Pergola.

It went up fast!

Really fast...

Next came the privacy fence!

Last came the carpet... Oh wait I mean grass.

We started with one simple goal:

Create a space where kids could play and adults could relax without worry.

Here’s what we focused on:

• A fully enclosed yard so parents can breathe easy

• Soft, usable surfaces instead of loose rock

• Simple games everyone understands and enjoys

• Seating for watching, visiting, and winding down

Every choice was made with families in mind. We didn’t want anything fancy or fragile. We wanted fun that felt easy and natural.

This wasn’t about building something perfect.

It was about building something welcoming.

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After: A Backyard Made for Memories

WaLa... It's finished.

A cozy place where the whole family can hang and have fun.

We added a counter island to help with the grilling.

Today, the backyard is one of our guests’ favorite features.

Kids head straight outside. Parents grab a chair. Games start without instructions. Laughter shows up on its own.

We added:

• A putting green

• Cornhole

• Outdoor seating

• Space to run, play, and enjoy being together

It’s a place where kids can be kids and families can slow down.

And that’s exactly what we hoped for.

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Why This Matters to Us

Our Play House was never meant to be just a place to sleep.

It was meant to be a place where:

• Families reconnect

• Kids make memories

• Parents actually relax

The backyard plays a big role in that. Some of the best memories at Our Play House happen on Ariel’s Rock. Kids climb it. They pretend. They turn it into something new every time. It’s a reminder that making memories isn’t about having everything perfect. It’s about giving people space to imagine.

Some of our favorite guest reviews mention it, and many families tell us it’s where their best moments happened.

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Thinking About Your Own Space?

If you’re a guest dreaming about your next stay, we hope this gives you a peek into how much care goes into Our Play House.

If you’re a homeowner or host wondering how to create spaces guests truly love, this backyard is just one example of how small changes can make a big impact.

Sometimes it’s not about adding more.

It’s about adding the right things.

Thanks for being here and taking a look behind the scenes of Our Play House.

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👉 Curious how we manage and design our stay so smoothly? As a host, I’ve learned that great stays aren’t created by copying someone else’s checklist. They come from understanding how families use a space and designing with intention. This is one of the simple lessons I share with other homeowners who want to manage their own rentals and create stays guests truly love. I share the simple systems that work for us inside my hosting resources.