Now that they’re back at school and the nights are drawing in, come the weekend, the kids are going to want to play outside. YOU want the kids to play outside too, just as you did when you were a nipper.

But times have changed; the streets are busier, the playgrounds are fewer and, whether it’s true or not, the world seems to be a more dangerous place for children.

So what’s the alternative? Ask a child what would be in his or her dream garden and specimen plants and herbaceous borders will come low down on the list. Play equipment – swings, climbing frames, slides and trampolines will be favourite every time.

Of course a lot depends on the space available. Swings and outdoor gyms require a fairly large, level piece of ground – so you might need to curb enthusiasm until work can be done to prepare the area. Small, moulded plastic sets don’t need as much space, but they are only really suitable for children aged five and under.

If aesthetics are important, timber equipment will stand out less than day-glo coloured plastics. But you could construct a trellis to section off the play area from the main garden – although this might make it difficult to supervise children at play.

Safety is all-important. All new garden play equipment should comply with European safety standard BS EN 1176.  When selecting swing sets, check that they are age-appropriate to children (babies and toddlers will need a harness seat), are solid enough not to topple over, or can be secured to the ground. Some need to be set in concrete and if there are two or more swings on the frame, they need to be spaced far enough apart to avoid collisions.

Slides should have side guards to prevent slipping off as well as safety rails or a cover at the top of the ladder to prevent falls. Gym play sets – all-in-one options that include various apparatus – are typically sold in age-appropriate sections and can be added to as adventurousness (and cash flow) increases. Check that the timber is smooth, that there are no bolts or hardware protruding from the construction and that any raw edges have covers.

Solid hardwood is the most durable material for outdoor use as it’s weather resistant and doesn’t require much upkeep. Play sets made from this are typically of good solid construction. Pine is another – usually cheaper – option, but be sure it isn’t the chemically-treated variety that can be harmful to children. Pine will also need regular weather proofing with a sealer. Any equipment that needs painting should be done so with non-toxic and low-lead paint – if lead paint flakes it can be inhaled and harmful to children.

Trampolines vary greatly in quality, which is usually reflected in price. Things to look out for are sturdy springs, a galvanised (rather than zinc powder-coated) steel frame, thick, water-resistant pads that cover the springs and the edge of the frame and a non-abrasive mat. Mesh safety surrounds are available to help prevent falls and the likelihood of over-bouncy children being propelled through the air into adjoining gardens.

There’s no way that you can avoid falls altogether; it’s a play area not a padded cell, so the ground around play equipment needs to be clear of any objects such as fences. It should be covered with an impact-absorbing material, such as shredded rubber, mulch, sand or wood chips, which need to be kept about 30cm deep and extended two metres beyond the edges of the equipment. Poured rubber is another option, although a more expensive one.

In this age of solitary, multi-screen, indoor entertainment garden play equipment provides enormous health and social benefits for children; staving off obesity, strengthening muscles, providing cardiovascular exercise and building confidence. Add to that the very important fact that it’s fun!

If you're working to a tight budget it's worth checking out second-hand items on ebay and Freecycle. You can also use those sites to pass on your out-grown play equipment.

But it is worth remembering that there are lots of wonderfully creative ways of encouraging children outside to play that don’t involve spending large sums of money!