Landscaping For Childrens Play Areas
Every home with children should have an area somewhere outdoors for them to play. For those with children, making an outdoor play area part of the landscaping is always a good idea: the children are happy with a place to play, parents are happy because they know the kids are safe, and it keeps the kids out of the rest of the garden. In fact, it may turn out that if you create a nice enough place, It could become a favorite hangout of all the kids in the neighborhood, which might or might not be something you want. It’s generally quite simple to design a garden plan with at least a small amount of play area for the younger folks in the family.
Homes with small children should place play areas close to the house. The kids will be close within sight but not feel locked up or restrained. An area that is visible from a the most used areas of the house is good. While there are a lot of toys like swings, slides, and such available for an area like this, young children still like to think up their own games and can be very creative with natural materials. A simple sandbox (covered when not in use, to keep out neighborhood pets) will keep small children happy for hours, especially if there is a source of water nearby. Place some natural materials like rocks or sea shells in the sandbox. (When the kids are grown, you can change the sandbox into a raised garden bed.) Along with a small tree with strong branches close to the ground, an old log makes a good climbing frame.
Older kids like their play areas to be a little more away from the house. However, it should still be a highly visible spot planned into the front yard design or backyard landscaping ideas. Older children still like to use their imaginations so don’t build the treehouse just yet. Start with the simple stuff, using some board nailed to a tree as steps or even a piece of knotted rope to help climb into the trees. The tree can then become anything that the imagination demands. A plane, ship, castle, or anything at all.
A rough grassy area in the garden can be nice for everyday playing – soft enough to fall in and even possibly long enough to be a hiding area. If this idea doesn’t quite go with the rest of your landscaping, give bark chunks or chips a try as a cushion under play equipment.
A concrete slab will also serve a purpose as the kids get older. Riding a bike, rollerblading, playing jacks, jumping rope, and a lot of other childhood games will be learned right at this spot. And the kids may even discover gardening if you give them a nice little space of garden that’s all their own.
February 21 2010 08:18 am | Uncategorized
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