Transform your backyard into a kids’ summer oasis

By Stacie Gaetz

Mother Nature is finally cooperating and there is no better time to be outdoors in the comfort of your own yard.

If your yard is less “paradise” and more “pitiful”, we have some simple ways that you can transform your outdoor space into a place your family wants to be.

Whether you have a sprawling acreage or a small porch to work with, you can add some items to your space to make it into a kid-friendly zone where they can learn, explore and play without breaking the bank.

Bubbles

What kid doesn’t love bubbles? This can be as simple as making bubble solution at home from dish soap, water and sugar and using a straw and some yarn as a wand. However, as someone who has done her fair share of blowing bubbles for excited kids until she is light-headed, I highly recommend investing in some sort of bubble blowing machine that will do the work for you. I will admit that bubble solution and batteries don’t always make for a long-lasting toy but if they are used and cleaned as per the directions, they can be hours of fun.

Water feature

Water toys are the things that keep my kids entertained the longest outside by far. The good news is there is a kind of water toy out there for any yard size and any child’s preference. You may not have the space for a slip and slide or a large pool, but chances are you can fill up some water balloons or guns and spend the afternoon in an all-out family water war. If your child doesn’t like to get their hair or face wet, you can buy a simple water table or make one with a storage bin and some measuring cups.

Bug catching

Whether you buy a kit from the store complete with magnifying glass and a net or piece your own together that includes some jars with holes poked in the lids, your kid will love getting on their hands and knees and becoming an entomologist for the afternoon. If it flies, crawls, or spins a web, they can follow it, catch it, check it out up close (and learn a lot along the way!)

Comfy seating

There are many places for a kiddo to sit outside but they are much more likely to be willing to stay outdoors if their “throne” is both comfortable and fun in some way. You can buy several versions of seats including a hammock, kid-sized lawn chair, hanging seat and bean bag chairs. You can also create a fun activity by asking them to make their own seat with as many blankets and pillows as they want.

Outdoor games

A simple Google search will show you a huge selection of yard games you can purchase but there are also a number that you can easily make with things that you already have around your house. Versions of cornhole, ring toss and dart boards are some of the easiest to DIY. If you don’t want to buy or make games, just bring the games that you would play inside on a cold and rainy day outside. Some particularly fun ones to do outdoors are charades and hide and seek.

Make a “treehouse”

I don’t mean treehouse in the literal sense of the word here. In fact, there are no trees required to make a fun, enclosed space where your kids want to be outside. This can be as elaborate as an actual treehouse or shed turned into a “kids’ cave,” but it can also be as simple as hanging a blanket from a tree branch or bringing their indoor teepees outside. You can set up a camping tent in the backyard, even if you don’t want to use it to sleep in. This can be a fun fort where they can read, check out the bugs they just caught, talk, play games or just hang out.

Mud kitchen

A mud kitchen is an outdoor play station that allows young children to engage in pretend and messy play by mixing mud, sand, and water. Mud kitchens usually involve a surface to work on, a sink or bin area, as well as shelves, bowls and other tools. You can make one out of an old cabinet, some bowls and utensils. Throw in a watering can, muffin tin, some plastic containers and anything else you have laying around the kitchen and your little chef will spend hours “cooking” up a storm.

Backyard movie

This one is great if you have young or older kids. It does require purchasing a projector if you don’t already have one, but it can lead to some of the best memories you have ever made in your yard. Once you have the projector all you need is a white blanket (to use as a screen), snacks and the ability to agree on what movie to watch (that’s the tough one, I know!).

Make it inviting

Bring some indoor touches outside to make your backyard more inviting. String some patio lanterns, twinkle lights or put out some candles to encourage your older kids to stay out there past dark. Don’t forget to add some throw pillows and blankets to make it extra comfy and warm on those cool spring evenings. An outdoor rug can also make your deck a bit homier.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to transform your backyard into a beautiful space that everyone in the family will enjoy. A few additions of things you most likely have around the house already can inspire your family to put away their screen and get outside this season.