Come rain or shine, kids enjoying playing in the backyard and entertaining themselves. You should be encouraging your kids to get outside in the fresh air and away from the PlayStation controller, so make your backyard as appealing as it can be. Think about adding some new features to it or giving it a new lease of life, so that your kids want to get outside and stay outside. Playing outside is good for the health of your kids, so keep them interested in being in the backyard for as long as possible. Entertaining your kids needn’t be expensive as long as you can think outside the box, and come up with some new ideas for engaging them.
Make A Budget
First things first, stick to a strict budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend and don’t exceed that amount. Always try to save money where you can and look for the best deals online. If you overshoot your budget then for options to fund the shortfall. You could fall back on the option of borrowing cash, or getting a credit card and paying back the money later. Consider your options before going ahead with your backyard plans and get more info. on how to finance your backyard plans. If you’re struggling to come up with the money, then think about selling some pieces that are already in your backyard and have seen their best days. Alternatively, go through your house and sell any items that you no longer use or don’t get enough use out of.
Plan Your Garden / Backyard Design
If you want to add new features to your backyard, you’re going to need to work out where they’re going, how much space they’ll take up and the best items to get. You need to consider drawing up a plan of action to help you bring your design together. A thorough plan will help you keep on track and aware of how much you’re spending. Once you’ve drawn up your plan, show it to your kids and have them give you your opinion on it. Ask your kids what they want from the backyard and incorporate their desires into the design. This backyard is to keep your kids entertained, so they need to be able to have their say.
Get A Swimming Pool
Consider getting a pool in your backyard and letting your kids swim and splash about it during the summer. A pool is going to be most appreciated when it’s warm outside, so think about getting one before the summer months. You don’t have to buy a pool from new, as this could set you back a pretty penny. Instead, browse online for second hand or ex-display pools if you want to save some money. If you have young kids, then having a paddling pool will give just as much fun. Always be vigilant when your kids are playing around water and keep them in your sight.
Build A Treehouse
Treehouses have long been a favored backyard design among kids, so think about getting one for your backyard. Don’t worry if you don’t have a tree from which to build it, as you can construct a shelter off from the ground which gives a similar effect. Treehouses provide great fun for your kids and they can keep them entertained for hours on end. Building a treehouse sounds far more complicated than it actually is. You don’t have to construct a fancy one, you can build one from recycled wood and corrugated iron. Your kids’ safety needs to be your main priority when you’re building a treehouse as injuries can easily occur when playing outside. Make sure that you make a soft landing space at the foot of the build and lay down woodchips or pieces of rubber. Treehouses provide your kids with their own place to enjoy, play games, and relax. Kit the treehouse out with some sturdy chairs, cushions and a blanket or two. This provides the ideal space for your kids to retreat to and a read a book in silence.
Let Them Grow Their Own Vegetables
Most kids love getting their hands dirty so hand over some of your backyard to them and let them grow their own vegetables. Make the prospect of getting involved exciting by allowing them to choose their own produce and pick which seeds they want to grow. You can make this space entirely theirs and let them plant other small flowers and herbs, for example. Divvy up parts of your vegetable patch and allow your kids’ imagination to run free. This is a good way of educating your kids about responsibility as you should let them be in charge of watering their plants and covering them from pests like slugs and birds. Letting your kids grow their vegetables is a great way of making them aware of where their food comes from and the importance of having a healthy diet rich with plenty of fresh vegetables.
Give Them Some Chalks
Hand your kids a packet of colorful chalks each and tell them to draw and write on whatever surface they choose. Make sure your kids are aware that inside of the house if off limits and the chalks can only be used outside in the backyard. Your kids will hardly believe what they’re hearing as they go about scribbling across every item they possibly can. Set some limits if you don’t want it to get too out of hand and tell them not to decorate your freshly washed car or the cat in chalky scrawling. Draw up a hopscotch in chalk and a target ring. Fill a bucket with water balloons and let your kids take aim at the target. Chalks are a cheap and easy way to entertain your kids, so think about sourcing a packet or two.
Get An Outside Pet
Think seriously and carefully before getting a pet for your kids, and be prepared for the likelihood that you’ll be caring for it when your kids don’t want to go outside in the rain or when they’re away. Before getting a pet, you should explain that they are a full-time commitment and you expect your kids to give their time to looking after it. Make sure your kids are excited and enthused about getting an animal so that they won’t interest quickly. Guinea pigs and rabbits can live outside, providing they’ve always got access to exercise and somewhere to shelter and are safe from predators; you will need to get a strong and sturdy hutch for the outside pet, so that foxes and other predators cannot break in and kill the animal.
A Climbing Frame
If your kids enjoy being active, then consider building a climbing frame for the back backyard. There are many designs of climbing frame, so research how each works and ask your kids which ones they prefer. You can either build your own or have one installed into your backyard. Building your own can be fun, and you can decide how you want it to look. There’s a rustic charm in home-built climbing frames, so don’t dismiss the thought of creating your own using wood or metal. Again, safety is paramount, so lay down a soft landing pad at the foot of the frame. Don’t forget to warn your kids of the dangers of playing on the frame when it’s wet.
Install A Pond
Water features are a peaceful element to your backyard so you’ll enjoy having a water feature even if your kids don’t. Having said this, however, your kids should enjoy keeping fish in the pond. Give your kids some say in what fish they’d like to keep and take them along to the pet shop to choose. Your kids can get involved in feeding the fish, treating the water and testing it for algae levels. If your kids love science, then these elements will certainly appeal to a budding scientist. If you have young children, then ensure that the pond is covered over at all times as any open water poses a drowning risk. If your kids are under 5, then consider waiting a few years until they’re older to get a pond.
Arts And Crafts
Arts and crafts are a simple way of getting your kids thinking creatively and for a low cost. Your kids can enjoy playing with cardboard, pieces of felt, and glue outside on the backyard table, and it’s easy to keep them entertained for hours this way. Simply set up the workstation and give them the supplies. You can make cards or party invitations, for example. Get some ideas from the internet, and think about making the designs with your kids. You can easily spend an entire afternoon playing with your kids and creating bits and pieces outside on the lawn or patio too. Bear in mind that the clean-up job after an afternoon of crafting isn’t going to be a sight for sore eyes however it’ll be worth it after seeing your kids have fun.
