A yard can be a great place for little feet and little minds to explore. Children who play outside have the opportunity for much-needed unstructured free play, while those who sit inside in front of the television are more likely to struggle with obesity.

Although having a yard is great for families with small children, these green spaces can present many challenges, especially if you've accumulated more playthings than your children know how to use. Be aggressive about purging outdoor toys when they are rarely used, and place the burden of the work on your children's shoulders. You might purchase a small wagon so that your children can easily transport their own toys outside. After an afternoon of play, make sure that your children load up the wagon and return the toys to their inside home.

If you want to keep toys in the yard, you can use a sturdy plastic toy chest that can be kept on the deck. A large plastic garbage bin can serve as great storage for bats, balls, and other sports equipment. To reduce the possibility of a yard littered with plastic toys (and kids who are too overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys to pick them up themselves), you can limit the number of toys allowed in the yard at any one time (choose a number that works for your family, such as five or ten).

You might also want to rotate toys that are kept in the bin. Many times, if toy bins are too overstuffed, kids won't remember what toys they have. Toys are quickly outgrown, and some toys never capture a kid's interest. If you purge these items, your child will be better able to see what he has. Not only will the child play more with the toys he does have, but he'll also be more likely to participate in cleanup.

In terms of play equipment in the yard — gym equipment, plastic playhouses, and the like — take note of how often they are used. If you begin to sense that your children are no longer enjoying them, look for another home for these items. These kinds of things tend to be bulky, heavy, and difficult to move. Simplify your life (and beautify your yard) by getting rid of as many of these items as you (and your children) can let go of.

Make sure that all of this equipment is still safe for use. When these items begin to break down and become warped, get rid of them quickly to protect your children's safety. Because these items are often used for climbing, jumping, and other energetic activity, you'll want to be sure that they are structurally sound. Also check with the manufacturer about appropriate ages and weights. As soon as children become too large or old, consider passing the items on to smaller children in the neighborhood.