Creating Back Yard Play Field

Design for Play: A Guide to Creating Backyard Playing Field for Kids

No matter how big your apartment is and no matter how much manoeuvring space your kids have, the chances are it’s not going to be enough. Kids of all ages love spending time in the open and that’s why lots of young parents consider moving into a proper house. Unlike apartments, houses usually come with some space in the front or the back, and this is where your kids can spend their free time. However, if you want to make that happen, you need to spice up your backyard and make sure it’s ready for your children. Turning it into an area where they can enjoy various sports might take a while, but it’s not impossible.  So, if you’re trying to do that as well, here are a few ideas you might want to take into consideration.

Define the space

Not all children need the same amount of space for playing sports, and not all sports require the same amount of space. This is why you have to think about the space you have and the space you need.  As well as defining the amount of space you’ll be able to dedicate to your kids and their sports activities. Think about the size of different sports courts and pitches, and think how big you can go.

In most cases, this is the entire backyard, especially with tiny backyard spaces that don’t have enough room for anything else. In other cases, though, you’ll be able to have some room for some outdoor furniture and hang out with your loved ones while they’re enjoying playing soccer, basketball, football, or other sports.

Backyard football

Define the sports

Most children love simple sports we’ve just mentioned.  And, if that’s the case with your kids as well – great! This means you won’t have to invest too much time, money, and energy into designing a space for them in the backyard, no matter how old your kids are and how many kids you have. However, some children are fans of other sports – from volleyball and handball to lacrosse and squash.  So, that means you’ll have to think outside the box before you’re able to create a perfect playing area for them.

But, regardless of the sports your kids prefer, there’s one issue you have to consider – will they be able to use their new backyard space for several different sports? For instance, they can use the grass space for soccer, and football, and if you opt for an improvised basketball court, they’ll also be able to play handball and squash there. This makes everything easier and more practical, and your kids will be free to explore different sports without feeling confined.

Define the boundaries

Speaking of feeling confined, this is one of the most important features of your kids’ new outdoor space. They should feel free and encouraged to explore different sports and activities.  But, also they should also be safe and protected. This means you should make sure nothing bad happens to them while they’re playing and having a great time, but that’s not easy to do.

One of the things you have to do is talk to your kids about boundaries and teach them not to leave their backyard no matter what happens. Most kids will try to run after a ball and catch it before it ends up on the street, but this is far from safe. You need to tell them how dangerous that behaviour can be, but you should also think about using  protective fencing products that will help you do that. Installing fences is now easier than ever, and if you pick the right fence, you’ll take the visual appeal of your backyard to a new level, which makes this a win-win scenario for you and your kids.

Define the refreshments

After enjoying their favourite sports, your kids are going to feel hungry and thirsty, and that means they’ll rush into the kitchen and demand some refreshments. Most parents aren’t fans of this behaviour, especially if the kids are dirty, muddy, and sweaty.  Which, is why they prefer having them eat and drink in the open.

Refreshments

Installing a small outdoor kitchen shouldn’t be too hard, no matter how much free space you have in the backyard. All you’ll need is a fridge, a few chairs, and an BBQ oven – and you’ll be able to prepare your children all the food and drinks they need!

Turning your backyard into a space where your children can play all day long isn’t too hard.  So, start turning these ideas into reality today!  But, if that’s still all too difficult,  you can consider alternate options, such as sending your children to an indoor or outdoor sports camp:  Australian Sports Camps.

Author Name: Emma Joyce Emma Joyce is a mom who likes to write about her life as a parent. Since exploring the difficulties of balancing two active boys and her job, she learned how to multitask.  As well as sharing that experience with other busy mums. Emma also writes about and her interest in sport, children’s sport and sport related activities. Author’s Website URL – http://www.smoothdecorator.com/

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