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.

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.

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.

Backyard play area
photo credit: Valerie Everett

Children’s Birdbath project

Select a place in the backyard childrens play area that has a mix of sun and shade and preferably a small tree or bush for the birds to have shelter and protection. This will help you to determine the size of the pot you will purchase and any other ideas for your birdbath project.

Next purchase a large terra-cotta plant pot. Make sure it has a saucer and that the saucer is glazed on the inside. The saucer needs to be at least eight inches across and you may decide to select a larger size.

Turn the plant pot upside-down and allow the child to paint designs on the pot. Acrylic paints will work the best for this project. After the pot has dried thoroughly, coat with a clear waterproof sealant to protect the design from the weather.

You may want to suggest designs for the birdbath creation or just let the child create a design on his own. If you have more than one child you can have them decorate parts of the birdbath or have rocks or a bird feeder that also need painted.

The last step is to place the glazed saucer on top of the upside-down plant pot. Check the position then glue in place with Liquid Nails or another construction adhesive. Allow the birdbath to dry completely.

Your final selection for the bird bath will be determined my how the pot looks in its new area, location of bushes and trees and any other projects that were made for the area at the same time. 

When you have selected the final position, make sure the birdbath is sitting evenly on the ground. You may need to add or remove soil to level the birdbath. For the final step layer small pebbles on the bottom of the saucer, then add two inches of fresh water.

Your children will want to check the water daily and the birdbath will need to be cleaned occasionally. You may even want to add a few new flowers that attract birds and a birdhouse to your bird santuary.