The British summer is imminent and the changeable weather is gradually improving; it’s time to enjoy being juvenile and get outside to play.
We’re encouraged by experts to ensure our children spend less time cooped up watching TV or playing games consoles, and instead take advantage of the improving weather. Although it’s natural to worry about the possible dangers of children playing outside, recent media coverage tells us that child care experts have voiced concerns that a lack of outdoor play is detrimental to child development.
As such, it’s time to prepare our gardens for the summer by creating outdoor play environments. So what is required to turn our small patches of grass and shrubs into an inspiring place for both adults and children to enjoy?
Schools and playgroups often combine soft surface areas with flower beds and trees to create various levels of play space. Think about what you’d like to do with your garden and plan the space accordingly. What kind of outdoor garden or activity toys would you choose?
Ask children and other family members to be involved. Your garden can benefit from their imagination and creativity, and with some help you can turn even the most uninspiring area into a place for children to explore and enjoy. With a small amount of effort your garden could become the perfect place for children to have fun safely.
To create an outdoor play space that’s a safe environment for kids, you should first need to ensure that any ponds or water features are safely covered or out of reach. Gates or fences should be added where required to prevent little terrors escaping or chasing balls onto the road.
There are a number of garden and outdoor toys that provide a great way to learn and exercise whilst enjoying the fresh air, from trampolines and scooters to bouncy castles and gardening toys.
More permanent, structural toys for the garden, such as climbing frames, play houses and swing sets can become garden features. Children’s outdoor toy companies provide these toys to suit all age groups from babies and toddlers to older children. Some toys, such as climbing frames, can be adapted as your child grows.
Bring the beach into your garden with sandpits, buckets, spades and paddling pools. Inflatable paddling pools now exist that don’t require hours of inflating beforehand, while water guns and slides can provide hours of fun and exercise for older children.
Ideally children should be able to choose to play either inside or play outside at any time. With a wide range of activities outdoors as well as indoors your children could benefit from ‘real play’ to aid learning and development, exercise and lots of fresh air.
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
