The backyard is for the entire family to enjoy but when there are young children extra precautions must be taken to protect them.
photo credit: Tammra

If you have very small children make sure they have an area to play in close to the porch or door. They must be within eyesight at all times when very small. It would also be advisable to have a place for them to sit in the shade or lay down if they get tired.

Set up a rest and snack area for children. Remember that a child can get overheated in the summer and may suffer heat stroke so keep cool water within reach. Suntan lotion is equally as important and should be used before the child goes outdoors and be within reach.

Make sure all play equipment is properly anchored. Swing set seem to be one of the biggest villains when it comes to being improperly anchored to the ground. Don’t take chances with your children’s safety.

Put soft material like mulch, wood chips or sand under swing set, climbing equipment or a favorite tree they climb. This will minimize an injury if they fall. And if you have a trampoline children must be watched at all times.
photo credit: whgrad

Pick up loose debris on the ground. Sticks, rocks glass, and forgotten toy can cause injury to children. Take a quick look around the yard in the morning and again at night for any items that can be tripped over.

Put lawn equipment away when you are done using it.  Garden tools, lawn mowers, weed eaters, hoes and rakes can cause serious harm to children. If you have a garden shed lock them away when you are done using them. Also lock up any chemicals used in the yard and paint. These items are toxic and could cause a serious problem if used by a child.

It only takes a small amount of water to drown a small child, so buckets should be emptied. If you have a wading pool, it should be turned over when empty to prevent it from filling with rainwater.

If you have a swimming pool have a gate and make sure it is locked. With a pool make sure your child is supervised at all times. This may mean locking the doors to make sure the child dos not go to the backyard unsupervised.

Ponds, water fountains and electrical outlets should also be taken into consideration for safety if the child is very young.

The backyard is a perfect place for a child to play and they will have wonderful memories for years to come from their outdoor adventures. With a little thought and planning your backyard oasis will be child safe.

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Summer is here and the backyard will become a haven for activities and games for children. And as the summer moves along the children may tire of their toys or need a break from their routine.
photo credit: Seattle Municipal Archives

You can easily construct a backyard play  gym that will add different activity to their schedule.

Ideas for a Backyard Play Gym

You could place plastic tubes around the backyard for children to climb through. Add interest to playing in the tubes by having some open with light showing thought and other dark, which would resemble a cave or other mysterious places.

Fabric tubes are another option for your backyard gym. These should be placed on grass or sand so children won’t hurt their knees when crawling through them.  By changing there location and placing some together and others apart you can create new adventures and games for the children to play.

Include a small climbing structure. I have used wooden crates stacked on each other or placed on their sides. Make sure this structure is not very high and is secure and will not move or tip over. It’s also best to locate this structure on wood chips, mats or a soft grassy area.

You may find if you use a larger create that the children turn it into a mini cabin or fort area.  Supply cloth or an old blanket that they can use to create an awning or canopy from the crate to a tree or another crate.

Blankets and clothesline can also be used for a makeshift tent or fort. Children have a wonderful imagination so expect to see quite a creation.

Find mats for outdoor playing. Children will be able to tumble and roll without getting hurt with the additional safety and padding of a mat. If your children are tumbling make sure the mats are in an open area away from trees, walls, stairs or buildings.

Swings can easily be added to a backyard. You can buy swings or a swing set or use an old inner tube or tire and hang from a secure rope from a tree branch. We always had a tire swing over by our picnic area. Place wood chips under the swing for a cushion if the child falls.
photo credit: rachie lea

If you have young children you may want to add a baby swing with safety bars and a harness.

A small kiddie pool or water sprinkler can add water games that will be appreciated on a hot day.

And for a rest area or lunch after playing and running for few hours you may want to add a mini hammock, picnic table or table and chairs. If you place a waterproof box with hinges you can add a packet of paper, markers, coloring books and pencils for quiet relaxing activities.

The backyard should be a relaxing fun place for children to play and have fond memories of friends and family. With the addition of a backyard play gym you can add change and new games to the children’s play area.

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A backyard play area is an important part of your backyard, particularly in the summer months. There are several elements to take into consideration when planning a play area.
photo credit: √oхέƒx™

Age is a big part of your play area design. Are your children close in age in interests or is there an age difference that will influence the play toys and equipment you add to the backyard?

Ask your children what interests them and ask for ideas. You may find that a fort or tree house fits most of their ideas. Or they may want a camping area and tent.

If the children are small a mini pool and sandbox may be a perfect idea. Just make sure to locate it close to the house and within eyesight.

Include elements and design that children can change and use for multi purposes. Old boards can be built into a temporary fort. Blankets can be made into a house with clothesline and clothespins. An old table can be used for painting, crafting ideas and for working on toy models. And a pile of sand or dirt has many purposes to a child.
photo credit: Travis Hornung

Plan for rainy days. A play area on the porch or patio may be a perfect solution. When I was growing up we had a rainy day box filled with paint, paper, books  and toys we rarely played with.

Swings,  play equipment and mini pools or a water hose will also add to the backyard play area. Yard games such as ring toss or horse shoes will also add a change to backyard activities.

Create a place for your children to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Their own table and chairs or a hammock in the shade may encourage them to read a book or watch clouds or the stars at night.

You could also create a small garden area for your children. Let them choose a few flowers or vegetables. If they are grown in containers close to the house the children will be able to watch them grow and keep them watered easily.

Above all else, make sure your backyard children’s play area is safe. Check any play equipment for rough or sharp edges. Also check for sharp rocks or broken glass.

And if there is a pool take extra precautions to keep your children are supervised and safe.

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As you plan your backyard design keep in mind the steps previously mentioned in Backyard Design Ideas. And as you move into the next phase of design remember there’s still time to change your plans you have on paper. I myself usually have three of four designs on paper before I select the final landscape design to use.
photo credit: brewbooks

Once you have check for any City or State building codes, Home Association rules if they apply and know your property boundaries its time to start to create you backyard oasis paradise.

These are the final steps you will want to consider when finalizing your plan.

Colors

By landscaping with the colors you like, you will reduce the number of plants that you have to consider and your finished landscape will be more pleasing to you.

Natural lighting

This is critical in pool, pond and plant selection. Pools and ponds need enough light to warm and be a healthy environment. Plants will need to be selected by choosing the right plant for sun or shade. This will control the plants health and growth. If you have gardens you will need six to eight hours of natural sunlight.

Landscape Lighting

If you are planning to use the backyard at night or are adding special effect lighting this is the time to install it, before the entire backyard design is finalized. You don’t want to work around added hardscape and new plants. You may also want to look into solar lighting. It’s less work and going green is good for the environment.

Soil

Improve your soil before you add plants, trees and shrubs. Good soil promotes healthy plants and healthy plants take less maintenance. You can usually tell by the look of your soil if it needs compost or additives to make it drain better. But a test for the proper soil for the plants is not as obvious. Most County extensions will do a soil test for you or you can pick up a soil tester kit at hardware stores and farm supply centers.

My soil is a heavy clay base, rich in nutrients but usually need to have lime added. I also compost the ground heavily to help with drainage.

Plants

Plants add beauty and relaxation to a yard. It’s one of the final steps in creating a backyard oasis paradise. Besides knowing your growing climate and hardiness when you select plants you will need to take into consideration plant maintenance, and one of the most overlooked design in plants: Growth.

Plants may start out small but can quickly grow and you realize the plant, tree or shrub will need moved or cut down. So read the plant tag or research the plant to take into account how large it will grow.

Focal Points

Any yard benefits from having a focal point. These can be Arbors, Gazebos Pergolas, Patios, Unique Plants or Water features. A backyard pool is always a focal point. A backyard theme is also a wonderful focal point and you have room to experiment and change the theme. Most backyards benefit from one or two focal points depending on the size of the yard.

Plan for all Seasons

Plan you landscape design to look stunning in all seasons. Just because flowers are not in bloom does not mean you backyard has to lack color or design. Choose a few plants that won’t lose their foliage or where the structure of the plant or tree has an interesting look. Hardscape also adds form and texture to garden and backyard areas.

As a final thought when planning your backyard design, plan for change.

Families grow and so will the needs of the backyard. Keep this in mind when planning a children’s area, add water features or a pet area. You may find you want less mowing or gardens to tend to or that you want a Koi pond or patio area. The backyard area is meant to be an oasis for relaxation and will need to adjust to your needs in the years to come.

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As the weather is improving and children will soon be on school vacation this is the time to be planning new backyard activities to keep you children happy and busy. Here is an easy to make backyard summer activity game that is perfect for those days when children are restless or for parties and family reunions. You can also involve your child in creative project.
photo credit: Conor Keller

Drop-Cloth Tic-Tac-Toe Board Game

Supplies:
5-foot by 8-foot canvas drop cloth
1-inch painter’s tape (painters tape is better but masking tape will work)
paintbrush
cardboard or vinyl pieces
1 pint semi-gloss paint

First measure and mark a 33 inch square in the center of the drop cloth to create the border of your backyard tic-tac-toe board. A yardstick and pencil will be needed for this step. Draw lines inside the larger square to create nine equal 11-inch squares.

Next place the one-inch tape along the outside edges of the large square, and center along the interior square lines making the game grid. Measure 1 inch from the tape along the outer edge of the large square and apply another border of tape.

Using semi-gloss paint, paint the nine inner squares and the border of the large square between the painter’s tape. Allow the paint to dry and apply additional coats as needed. Once the paint is dry, remove the tape.

Now it’s time to make the make the game pieces. Trace around a smaller six-inch paper plate on heavy cardboard or pieces of vinyl. Make 12 round pieces and place a painted X on 6 pieces and a painted O on the other six pieces. You may want to paint the X’s and O’s different colors and you may want to paint the background of the round circles a different color for each X or O too. Seal the pieces with clear varnish to protect the paint. You will not need these many pieces for each time the game is played, a few are extra pieces.

Tips

• Using thick cardboard or vinyl game pieces create game pieces that should not hurt children. Vinyl pieces can be picked up at most hardware stores or interior design stores.
• Select paint and varnish with no lead
• You may find it helpful to use tent stakes or long nails in the corners of the drop cloth. This will hold your backyard tic-tac-toe board in place if it’s windy.

Your children will enjoy helping create and paint this backyard game. Let them choose their favorite colors for painting the game pieces and game board. This game can also be used on patios and indoors.

Technorati Tags: backyard Childrens Area, backyard play area, childrens backyard projects