For a family with kids, younger or older, no backyard can truly feel like part of home unless it is adjusted to children’s needs and interests. If you want your child to fall in love with the outdoors and the endless variety of activities it offers, start by transforming your yard into a children’s fantasy world. Though the options are many, we can elaborate on a few favorites that certainly won’t let you down.
1 – Outdoor chalkboards and easels
Have you noticed that your child enjoys the magic that a paintbrush or a simple colored pencil can create? Don’t hesitate to get a couple of chalkboards for your yard so your son or daughter can continue to nurture their talent. Outdoor chalkboards (or canvas on an easel) are a highly convenient solution for parents who wish to keep their children entertained while also avoiding having a big mess inside the house. If you want to do something even more interesting, you can turn part of the fencing into a big chalkboard wall.
2 – Yard sandbox
If you think back to your own childhood, you are more than likely to reminisce of your own little sand haven you loved to play in. Not only do sandboxes help develop an outdoorsy spirit in kids, but they also have multiple other benefits. Set one in your own backyard and your children will get a chance to further learn and improve their social, motor, and practical skills, grow genuine curiosity and eagerness to explore their environment through direct physical contact, and also stimulate and enrich their own imagination. These add-ons are physically beneficial as well, as they help kids strengthen different groups of muscles, especially those in the arms and hands.
3 – Child-friendly swimming pool
Okay, this one probably should be the first item here—undoubtedly, almost every child wants to have a pool at home. Funwise and healthwise, it goes without saying that swimming pools are an absolutely fantastic add-on for a backyard. They are an endless source of entertainment, not only for children, but for adults, too.
It needs to be emphasized, though, that they do require a higher level of supervision and caution on behalf of parents, so children should not be left alone during their fun time in the water. Preferably, for extra safety, you could also add a fence around the swimming pool to prevent children from accidentally falling in if they do spend part of their time in the backyard unsupervised. Whenever we are talking safety measures, the best thing is to consult specialists and professionals. Exterior are a really wise choice if you want the perfect combination of adventure and safety in your children’s swimming pool.
4 – Swings
Swings sound like a great option for backyards with limited space and if you prefer to keep your child engaged in a single activity for a longer period of time. Even in a smaller area where there isn’t much room for running or playing sports, a nice swing can give your child a sense of freedom, movement, and spaciousness thanks to its dynamic nature. Even on a cold and rainy day, your little one will probably ask to go and play on the swing rather than stay indoors.
5 – Hammocks and silly spinners
If you have bigger trees in your backyard, you could also consider getting a sturdy hammock and/or a silly spinner. They are both excellent alternatives for standard swings, not to mention that they are just as much fun. If you are in a creative mood, you also have the option of making a silly spinner yourself instead of buying one. What is more, you can ask your child to contribute to the process of making the spinner, for example to paint it. This will only make your son or daughter enjoy it even more since they will know they helped bring this creation into existence.
6 – Slides
Slides are also a truly convenient add-on, being that both younger and older children find them a lot of fun. They also come in different shapes, sizes, and are made from different materials, so it is easy to find a slide which will be suitable to your child’s age and physical characteristics.
7 – Climbing tires
If you have some old tires lying about in the garage, here’s a great way to recycle them. Turn these eyesores into an attraction by transforming them into climbing tires. What makes them such an excellent addition to your backyard is that little kids in particular seem to find them irresistible when learning to walk and establish balance, while also strengthening their muscles at the same time. Climbing tires are budget-friendly and even more fun when painted in bright colors kids will easily fall in love with!
In conclusion…
For any parent who wants to inspire in their child an affinity and respect towards the great outdoors, smartly chosen backyard add-ons are the right call. Allow your little one to explore and grasp the world through a thought-provoking, inspiring, exciting corner of their own home where they will feel safe and taken care of.
About the Author
Ron Wolf is a freelance writer, hobby designer and DIY enthusiast.
