Spending time outdoors is good for little ones of all ages, helping to improve their physical, mental, and emotional state. One of the easiest ways to peel children away from the TV and get them outdoors is by creating a kid-friendly environment in your backyard. Here, we’re going to discuss some ways that you can make your garden a play paradise for both you and your children.
Create Nooks and Crannies
It’s no secret that kids are curious by nature, and they love to explore. You can easily make your garden just a little bit more exciting by creating small spaces for your children to discover. You may want to plant a bush or hedge where they can hide, create canopies using vines and trees, or lay down winding paths around your yard. Not only will doing this keep your kids entertained, but it will also create a unique aesthetic for your garden. However, make sure that your bushes and branches don’t obstruct or clog up your gutters, as this can cause property damage in the long run. And in case they do overgrow, just be sure to check for clogs and regularly maintain your downspouts to avoid water damage.
Include Children’s Furniture
If you tend to spend time outdoors with your spouse, friends, or other adults, the chances are that your kids want to join in on the fun. It’s a good idea to include child-friendly elements in any outdoor entertaining space that you have set up so that your kids don’t feel left out. If you have a dining table and chairs out on the patio, you may either want to include a booster seat for your child or opt for a separate kid-sized setup.
Grow an Edible Garden
Getting kids involved in garden projects not only gets them outdoors but also teaches them a valuable new skill. You can grow a small edible garden with your kids, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Take them with you to the nursery to choose seeds or starters and get them to pitch in with the weeding, the watering, and the harvesting. You’ll even get your little ones to start eating more fresh and delicious produce!
Plant Plenty of Flowers
In addition to fruits and veggies, you can get your kids to help you plant a flower garden in pots or raised beds. Growing flowers will both add some color to your garden and attract pollinators such as bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard. Your children can watch nature at work as your whole garden buzzes with local wildlife.
There’s no better way to spend warm summer days than by relaxing in the garden with your family. You can encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors by creating an exciting landscape design, including child-sized furniture, and planting plenty of fruits, vegetables, and flowers around the yard.