Families spend very little time in their own backyards

According to a 2007 study by the UCLA Center on the Everyday Lives of Families (described in an article in the Los Angeles Times, February 22, 2007), more than half of the children surveyed spent no playtime in their backyards. Their parents, meanwhile, typically entered the yard only to do chores such as taking out the trash, feeding dogs, or washing outdoor furniture.

Source: Arnold, J.E. et al. (2007). The changing landscape of home: Trends in home-based leisure and storage among working American families. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 28(1).