The world is our playground during the summer, but there’s something to be said to making your own abode a relaxing, craftastic, and inventive place for the kids to play and learn. Much of my time has been spent trying to create an entertaining outdoor environment, so I thought it was due time for a round-up of some of my favorite backyard DIY efforts. Enjoy! And add more of your favorite ideas in the comments!
Make a sand and water table: Whatever you fill it with, it’s a recipe for success. The toddler-height table is built out of 2×4 boards, and features an inset plastic basin to provide hours of contained water-play and space for sandcastles. I especially like that the lid to the bin snaps back on, making it an easy, dry place to store toys every evening.
Having a designated play area is important for backyard entertaining. My woodsy playhouse is perfect for tea parties and hours of reading, and inside boasts a chalkboard, table and chairs, a trap door, LED string lights, and shelves for toys (like toy binoculars).
The play set could expand in any number of ways – we would like to eventually have swings attached, and a zip line, and possibly a bridge and tunnel that leads to another set of trees in the backyard.
Looking for other modern treehouse designs? This mod triangular play set with storage hatches is really eye catching, and I love this combination swingset/playhouse/climbing wall design too, which would work great for homeowners and renters alike.
Build a permanent backyard hopscotch board: One of my favorite additions to my family’s play area in the backyard is a ground-level hopscotch board, inset into the soil. The flagstone tiles are a durable surface, and when the kids wrap up their hopping competition, the tiles double as a surface for chalk time. (Psst: Arrange the tiles 3-across x 3-down to make a permanent tic-tac-toe board too!)
No space for a permanent play set? Make a cardboard fort to entertain them all weekend long!
Teepees are always a win too. Construct a teepee using dowels and canvas drop cloth, then bring out the craft paints and let them go to town decorating their new mini-abode.
A dedicated splash pad is just as important when it comes to beating the heat on a summer’s day. Inspired in-ground pools come in all shapes and sizes, but for the kids, I love this simple floating patio framework that transforms a kid’s plastic pool into a retreat that you’ll love too.
Backyard games provide entertainment for both adults and kids, and two of our favorite temporary and easy to store games are corn hole and ladder golf.
If you have enough space to accommodate a permanent horseshoe game area, here’s a tutorial I really like. I think with a little finessing of the design, you could make it so that the sides fold in over the sand (like doors), to help prevent the pit from becoming filled with leaves or other stuff (think: litter box)!
Our DIY critter catcher hasn’t been vacant since it was constructed, so to say that the kids like it is a true understatement. Not only is it a great place to house the toad-of-the-day, but our younger daughter uses it as a way to get up close and personal, learning about the animals she sees through the screen (then releases them, giggling with glee, when her sister’s back is turned).
And finally, if you have the right tree, a tire swing on a long rope makes for great entertainment for kids and their friends.
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento