Looking for options for my backyard

So I a dead backyard that used to be grass, and a large separate area that used to be a bed full of ground cover.

Our first option is to do artificial turf where the grass used to be, and black gravel where the ground cover used to be. Waiting on an estimate but pretty sure the turf is going to run about 4k itself. Not to mention the gravel.

Another option is where the grass used to be to do gravel with large cement stepping stones spaced out with the gravel in between. But then we need ideas for the bed where the ground cover used to be. (Thinking maybe mulch?) not crazy about that idea though.

We have twins on the way and a couple dogs so we really want to do this before they come and as cost effective as possible.

Any ideas of other ways to utilize this space without trying to grow grass or ground cover??

Thank you!