Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
A garden is one of the most relaxing places at home. It is a place to reconnect with nature, even at the comfort of your own house. It is like having a pocket park at your residence. It is also a place where kids can play and have fun, especially during the summer months.
To make the most out of your garden and transform it into a place that the little ones can enjoy, the rest of this post tackles some of the best ways to make it kid-friendly.
Build a Play Space
This is perhaps one of the most important things to do if you want to make the garden a space that kids will enjoy. If the space is big enough, consider adding a playpen or any play equipment that your children will enjoy. A slide or a swing can be a great addition, provided that you have the space that is required. By having a dedicated space for playtime, kids will no longer have to go to the park to have fun. They can just walk out to the garden and play!
Buy a Grill
While kids cannot cook, having a grill is a good idea because it gives parents the space that they need to cook food while the little ones are playing. If you often host parties at home, this will also be a great investment. You can easily prepare foods that kids can enjoy while also watching over them as they play. If you do not know which one to buy, based on a Traeger Renegade Elite Review I found online, it seems like it is a good pick.
Create a Storage
You should also build a storage space in the garden. If you are buying furniture, it will be good to buy patio or garden seats that can also double as a storage cabinet. This way, you will have a safe place to stow the toys of kids to keep them away from external elements and to be sure that they will be easy to access when kids need them during their playtime.
Make a Track
This will provide a place where children can ride a bike, which is not only fun but also a physical activity that benefits their health. Choose the right materials when building a track. It should be hard enough so that it can be good for bikes but should be safe so that children will not be hurt or injured if in case they fall off their bike. The paved track must form a loop.
Build a Tent
Having a tent in the garden will give the children a place to rest when they are tired of playing. The best thing about a tent is that it is a covered area, which will protect them from the harsh heat of the sun. It can even be used for pretend play, such as a knight’s castle or a lair. If the tent is big enough, even adults can go inside and play indoor games with the kids. A tent is also portable and movable, making it easy to remove from the garden when it is not needed, unlike other permanent play fixtures.
Use Artificial Grass
An artificial grass is a better alternative to a real one because it requires less care and maintenance. The grass will not turn brown. It will not be a breeding ground for pests and diseases. There is no need for watering to keep it in its tip-top shame. There is also no need to worry about mud in case it rains. It provides a soft surface where children can play. This will be a great way to create a fun play space in the garden.
Plant what the Kids Love
It will also be good to have the children involved in gardening chores. This way, they are taught how to be responsible at an early age. To do this, plant flowers, fruits, and vegetables that kids actually love. This will make them more interested in growing these plants. Give them a sense of ownership. Doing this will not only make a garden a place to play, but to also practice their individual responsibilities.
Have a Sheltered Area
It is fun to play in the garden. However, when it rains, kids can no longer have fun in the yard. With this, a good solution is to create a sheltered area. For instance, you can have a covered patio or deck, which can also be a great place when entertaining guests at home. With a covered area, there is a dedicated space for kids to play, whether the sun is out or when it is raining.
Keep Mature Trees
While some people might instantly resort into cutting mature trees, I suggest that you give it a second thought. It might be better to keep this in the garden. They are strong and mature enough to serve as a place where you can hang swings and ropes. Children can also climb these trees to be more active when they are playing. However, make sure to keep an eye on them so that they won’t get hurt.
Keep it Safe
Being fun is not the only thing that you have to prioritize in building a garden that is kid-friendly. It is also important that it is safe. If you have a pool, be sure to have a fence to keep children out when they are unsupervised. You should also be careful with the electrical accessories and make sure that they won’t pose a serious risk to the kids. Wirings should not be exposed. Best of all, you should keep a watchful eye on the kids as they enjoy the garden.
If you are lucky enough to have the luxury of space to build a garden at home, keep in mind the things that have been mentioned in this post to keep it kid-friendly. By doing the things above, the garden will be a fun and safe place for the little ones!
Thank you for such a lovely article.
I always wanted find ways to let my son play in our yard without any doubt of some random incident that can occur.
I love the idea of making a track and I have never taught of this previously. Little boys and their toys, he loves playing with his skate board, bikes and scooters. Only the front of our yard is paved and the rest has grass. The front yard is in an incline so I don’t allow him to play there. The rest of the yard is flat but because of the thickness of the grass his bikes and scooters don’t work very nicely mainly the electric ones. He often waits to go to his grandparents’ home or to the play areas to actually use these ride on electric items.
I think with the right co-ordination the track can be made, maybe to look as a pathway in between the garden so it can also be handy for me.
This is definitely something I need to note down for the near future.