*This is a collaborative post.
My boys need no coaxing when it comes to getting outside and play and with the current circumstances, I am so thankful we have a safe space outside for them to play. As outside play is so beneficial to kids, I am sharing a few fun ways in which you can create lots of fun zones in your own garden once things return to some kind of normality.
Water Corner
Water play is a great sensory activity for little ones. My two will play with water toys for hours! Don’t worry if you don’t have a water table you could improvise by using a washing up bowl or tuff tray. When the weather is a little warmer, water fights are an excellent way of keeping cool while having tons of fun. Water pistols, cannons, super soakers, water bombs even the hose pipe make for endless fun in the outdoors.
Adventure Cove
This kind of zone is great to spark the imagination. You could use sand play by making your own sandpit frame and letting the kids make an imaginary beach. Make your own treasure map that takes you around the garden, ending in the pirates’ cove to discover the hidden treasure! Add a bubble machine, make some projector lights with a torch and coloured film, even hide a smart speaker and play sound effects from your phone.
Fairy Garden
There is nothing more magical than fairies so why not build your own fairy garden? You could make a little door using wood or lollipop sticks or even air drying clay. You could add things like dolls house furniture or get the children to help craft some items. You could make toadstools from salt dough, a hut for fairies or elves from air drying clay or use moss for hedgerows. The only limit to your fairy garden is your imagination.
Mini Assault Course
Why not incorporate trim trails into your garden space? Trim trails have a whole load of benefits. Here are just a few-
- Fantastic for encouraging gross motor skills.
- Improving co-ordination skills
- Boosts confidence
- Improves strength and fitness
- Super fun
- Creates a challenge
The biggest advantage with trim trails is their longevity. Children can enjoy them from as young as three up until their teen years, making them a fantastic investment.
Playground
A playground can have anything from a slide, seesaw, swing or climbing frame. You can have a little or as much outdoor play equipment as you like. The beauty of having your very own playground is that you don’t need a large garden to have one. In fact, you don’t need to have any garden. You can use artificial grass and rubber playing tiles to make your area easy to clean whilst keeping it super safe should your little one have a tumble.
Some great ideas, i especially like the Fairy Garden, its getting harder to keep the children to not get bored, so think we will try the Fairy Garden
This is a lovely read, especially with the lovely weather and bored kids we are having, thank you !