Kid-friendly play areas are in high demand. An increasing number of parents prioritize these snazzy outdoor activity areas for many different reasons. A backyard play area is fabulous for kids to interact with one another and nature, away from all the electronic gizmos, gadgets, and contraptions. These beautiful little enclaves are bright, cheerful, fun, friendly, safe, and secure. Of course, parental or adult oversight is always required – that’s a given.
Babies, toddlers, teenagers, and adults can enjoy a Peter Pan-style Adventureland. If it all seems a little out of reach, well, it’s not. It’s one thing to get kids outside; it’s another to entertain them. Fortunately, ironclad ways exist to create a backyard haven for youngsters and the young at heart.
It all begins from the ground up, and artificial grass is a great place to start. Artificial turf is made from advanced synthetic fibers that replicate the look and feel of natural grass while requiring minimal upkeep.
Beneath the surface, a specialized drainage system helps maintain its durability and performance. For a comprehensive breakdown of the materials and benefits, check out this expert write-up on what artificial grass is made of. It covers everything in detail.
A Backyard Playset
Kids aged five and older enjoy monkeying around in jungle gyms, ladders, swings, and activity sets. These playsets are ideally suited to this particular age group. Parents and caregivers who are skilled at creating these swing sets, jungle gyms, and contraptions typically relish this prospect.
Of course, be sure to check for rusty nails and screws, sharp metal edges, or other potential hazards. Use as much padding around the legs – the horizontal and vertical connectors of these jungle gyms as possible.
That way, you can mitigate risks. The turf you decide to use to pad the ground is equally important, if not more so, than all the attractions you can set up in a kid-friendly play area.
Actual soil and grass are OK if you want a high-maintenance, long-term expense.
You can probably get away with real grass in a few places where the weather is perfect and
temperate all year around, but if you’re anywhere up north or anywhere between the East and the West Coast, where temperature varies from blistering cold to sweltering hot between seasons, you are way better off with artificial grass.
The Ultimate Sandy Attraction
Whether you call it a sandbox or a sandpit, enjoy it! Everyone loves to jump into a sandbox and start digging away. This is particularly exciting for babies and young kids. Of course, you must always keep your eyes on them because eating sand isn’t a dietary recommendation.
Fortunately, child psychologists have determined that playing in the sand has many developmental benefits. It’s perfect for children aged six months to ten years.
Grab your plastic spades, forks, buckets, toys, and scooping devices—it’s time to start creating an Adventureland of note. A sandbox is easy to make and guarantees endless fun and games.
It’s best to use a sunken plastic tub with a curved lip to avoid any splinters that can arise from wooden sandpits. Remember to switch out the sand every couple of months to ensure freshness.
Painted Climbing Tires
Remember tractor tires as a kid? Everyone does! They were loads of fun at the playgrounds. The great thing about rubber tires is that they offer endless hours of fun for kids.
Plus, they can be laid down and securely staked to the ground, one or two tires high, painted in different colors and enjoyed accordingly. Imagine seeing red, blue, green, purple, and yellow tires in a playpen-style activity area—pure bliss.
While tires are solid, they’re also springy and absorbent. The tires’ tread is firm, and the walls are generally much softer. Kids love to hide inside stacked tires in playgrounds or climb over them and have a grand old time.
Most playgrounds have tires dug into the ground, with ¾ of the tires visible above ground. The rest are secured and stacked into the ground to remain a safe and durable feature of the enclosed, kid-friendly play area. Considering all these fantastic ideas, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors!
