Creative Ways to Make your Backyard Child Friendly

Spring is a great time of year to be outside with nature. Daylight hours are longer, mixtures of color appear from beautiful blooming flowers, along with the birds chirping away.

Creating a child friendly backyard is a great way to encourage your children to spend more time outside in the fresh air and sunshine. A fun play space with lots of options will help keep them active and entertained while they enjoy the great weather.

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You don't need to look to expensive backyard landscaping ideas to make yours child friendly. It doesn’t take a lot of time, energy or money to make a yard fun and appealing to children. There are lots of simple backyard ideas that you can use to keep your children entertained outdoors, come rain or shine. 

1. Basic outdoor toys

Basic childhood toys, such as balls, bubble wands, hula hoops, frisbees, and jump ropes are great for simple, active fun.

2. Tyre swing

There’s nothing more old-school than a tyre swing. If you have a sturdy, shaded tree it’s the perfect spot for swinging the day away. Add a tyre and some rope or chain and this old-fashioned play equipment won’t break the bank.

3. Bird feeders

Hang a bird feeder filled with peanuts or seeds. It can take birds a little while to get used to new feeders but once they do you can be sure to enjoy seeing them up close. Fat balls and seed mixes are ideal for attracting a range of bird species.

4. Sandbox

A place to dig in the sand, build with it, mold it, and touch it is an important element of a child friendly backyard. Sand is both a wonderful sensory experience and fun to manipulate. You can purchase a sandbox in a variety of sizes and prices depending on your budget or build your own. Add a few basic sand toys such as shovels, buckets, molds, construction vehicles, and funnels are great.

5. Plant vegetables and /or flowers

Children love sowing seeds and watching them grow into plants. Set aside a small area of the garden they can call their own and kit it out with their very own potting bench and safe tools for small hands. Encourage them to check on the progress of their vegetable seeds and/or flower seeds and keep watering them regularly.

6. Create a fort or hideaway

A playhouse or fort is an excellent addition to a child friendly backyard. They give your children a safe place to play and relax outside the home and offer shade on extra hot days. These little spaces can serve as your child’s own special place, where they can let their imaginations roam, do arts and craft projects, or a little reading. For a budget friendly fort simply use a small tent or teepee which can be easily set up and taken down as needed. 

7. Outdoor play kitchen

Children love playing with mud pies and other messy creations. Playing with mud encourages creativity, is a natural activity for kids, and it doesn't cost anything. It’s simple to get started with mud pies by making use of any old pots, pans or plates. Suggest decorating their pies and other food creations with whatever they can find in the garden such as flowers, leaves, rocks, sticks and grass.

8. Build a bug or bee hotel

What child doesn’t love bugs? When spring begins, take your them outside for a bug-finding adventure. Scour the yard and garden for insects and track your findings. This is a great way to teach your children about about the various bugs they may encounter on a daily basis.

9. Splash pad

Small, portable splash pads can be purchased to suit your available space and budget type. They don't take much time or effort to set up and are essential for hot summer days. 

10. Chalk

This childhood staple is great for encouraging creativity and providing a space where your children can express themselves through words and images. It can even be used to create games such as tic-tac-toe and hopscotch. Since chalk washes away easily with rain or the hose, children can draw in many places including: rocks, fences, wood structures, cement and sidewalks.

What are some creative ways you make your backyard child friendly?