Turn Your Backyard into a Safe Playground
By: Chloe Taylor
Visit her on Facebook ,Twitter and Google Plus
Image 1 source: unsplash.com (free to use and share, no attribution needed)
If your heart skips a beat every time a kid trips over something, congratulations, you’re a parent. Being a parent would be the easiest job on the planet, if only we could keep our kids safely tucked in an unreachable castle in a room with no corners, coated with sponges. Since that is not possible, it is up to us to make their lives as safe as possible in this very unsafe environment. Playing is like breathing for them, and it should always be encouraged. The best thing about backyard playground is that you can always keep your eyes on them, while they are having fun. Here are a few ideas that will help you turn your backyard into a kid-friendly oasis.
Drawing Station
Image 2 source: unsplash.com (free to use and share, no attribution needed)
If chalkboard drawings are a frequent sight in your backyard, you should consider giving your kids a designated place to show off their artistic skills. Fortunately, these days, you can easily find chalkboard paint and paint the fence, or a piece of your wall with it. The kids will love it, and you will get rid of flowers and cats on the walkway.
Go Camping
Camping is always a great adventure, even when done in your own backyard. Give your kids a safe hideout by making a tent or a teepee. You can purchase one, or make it yourself. To make an awesome teepee, you will need various supplies, including PVC pipes and fabric, but in the end it will be well worth your effort.
A Sandbox
Image 3 source: pexels.com (free to use and share, no attributio needed)
Sandboxes are awesome, and are very safe. And, as you are well aware, kids can spend hours in them. Playing with sand is a calming sensory experience that awakens the imagination. Nestle a sandbox within a planting bed to blend it into your garden, and enable kids to get closer to plants.
Repurpose and Reuse
Visit your garage or shed to see if there’s anything you can repurpose into fun playing accessories. Try to observe things from kids’ perspective. Old automobile tires may not look very interesting from where you’re standing, but imagine your kids’ joy if you paint them in bright colors and arrange them throughout the backyard. Other stuff like old shelves and cabinets can also be repurposed into something new and exciting.
Go with Artificial Grass
Image 4 source: unsplash.com (free to use and share, no attribution needed)
Concrete in your backyard is bound to create some bruised knees and elbows. Grass, on the other hand, will allow kids to crawl and fall with minimal risk of injuries. Real grass will give you trouble with washing off green stains, and it may trigger allergic reactions. Artificial grass provides you with all the benefits of the real deal, without the risk of allergies and hard-to-wash stains.
Encouraging Physical Activity
Kids should be able to safely run, jump and climb in their backyard. Encourage them to do that with various fun solutions. You can construct a racing track out of pavers, or choose a designated material, such as rubber running track. Another fun idea is making a tree-to-tree zip-line that will take your kids straight to the Adventureland. Just make sure you purchase an industrial strength cable and attach it to the trees properly.
When Playing Is Over
Image 5 source: unsplash.com, pexels.com (free to use and share, no attribution needed)
Kids tend to pay little to no attention to things around them while playing. When fun time is over, they usually just run inside. This can be very dangerous, as they can trip or slip and hurt themselves. Non-slip hard wearing door mats should solve this problem and save you from a lot of stress.
An inspiring outdoor area can provide your kids with many hours of quality fun and genuine enjoyment. If you make such a space in your own backyard, you will be able to keep an eye on them, even while preparing lunch or cleaning the house.
