Fun for the Whole Family: How to Create a Family-Friendly Backyard

Are you looking to build a backyard that the whole family can enjoy? Read this guide to learn how to create a family-friendly backyard.

We all understand the benefits of playing outdoors. The news is full of stories about how screen time is affecting our children’s health, but what can you do to encourage them to put the screens down for a while?

The answer is to create a backyard that works for the whole family, giving you space to relax outside as well as activities for the children to enjoy. Here are our top 5 features for a family-friendly backyard.

 1. Sandpit

Sandpits have been a children’s outdoor play favorite for decades. Give a child some sand, a little water to make it stick and a bucket and spade and sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet!

Play sand is relatively cheap, and you can make a sandpit quite simply by digging a hole and lining it with a tarpaulin. If you prefer something more portable, then sand tables are available from toy stores. Whichever version you choose, make sure you cover it at night to prevent neighborhood cats using it as a bathroom.

2. Water

Kids love playing with water in the backyard. This can be something as simple as giving them a bucket of ‘paint’ (water) and a brush and asking them to paint a fence. Other ideas include a water tray or shallow pool for sailing paper boats.

If you have more space, then you could consider an above ground pool. Family Leisure has a range of different options available, including hot tubs for more grown-up fun. We’ve talked before about the benefits of a swimming pool.

3. Garden

From an early age, kids have a fascination with growing things. Giving them a small section of garden to look after is a great way to encourage a connection with nature, and can also help fussy eaters to try something new.

Set aside a small area, and let your child care for it themselves. Digging, sowing, weeding, and watering are all jobs that can take up a little time and help them gain self-esteem for having achieved things. Give them ownership of their space by letting them choose yard decorations, for example.

4. Den Building

One of the most popular backyard ideas for kids is to give them the chance to build a den. If you have space, then planting willow that can be trained into a cave or tunnel will quickly grow into a child-sized space.

If you don’t have space, then pop-up tents, large umbrellas or that old favorite the blanket fort are all ways to encourage your kids to spend time outdoors.

5. Physical Challenges

Current guidelines are that children should spend around 60 minutes per day doing physical activity. If you have the space in your garden, then a trampoline is a great way to encourage your kids to get active.

For smaller spaces or tighter budgets, a swing can be set up if you have a handy tree to tie it too. You might also be able to pick up second-hand playhouses, slides and more from other parents whose kids have grown out of them.

Get Outside Yourself with a Family-Friendly Backyard

Kids follow our examples, so perhaps the simplest of family-friendly backyard ideas is to spend more time outdoors yourself. Dress for the weather, head outside and have some family fun!

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