Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
It's important for kids to spend plenty of time outside. It gives them a chance to stretch their legs, release pent up energy, and get their hearts pumping through exercise. Outdoor exercise is crucial for growing bodies as it improves intellectual and social development as well as aids in maintaining optimal mental health.
But a boring backyard isn't very enticing to kids, and you might find it hard to keep your little ones out long enough to benefit from their little adventure. Luckily, it isn't tough to spruce things up – here are four things you can do to turn that boring backyard into a play haven for the kids:
Invest in Synthetic Grass
The goal is to get your kids outside to run, play with bikes, and maybe even gallivant through the sprinklers on a hot day. Because of this, your grass may take a beating and stop growing or have a hard time staying green. A great way to give the kids free reign of the yard while maintaining a polished look is to install synthetic grass at least in the areas where you intend the kids to play a lot. It looks great, it's easy to take care of, and it holds up well to wear and tear which makes it a cost effective addition to any yard.
Include a Playground
Putting a playground in the yard as a centerpiece will provide your kids with the opportunity to use their muscles to keep them strong while aging. Playgrounds also offer plenty of opportunity to practice problem solving and motor skills as they find new ways to enjoy their playground accessories. There isn't a need to invest in a huge wooden playground that competes in size with the one at the local neighborhood park. Instead, consider a small swing set with monkey bars attached or purchase plastic slides and climbable toys to create your own budget-friendly playground.
Implement a Sand Box
A sandbox is an excellent addition to your play yard because it's fun enough to keep kids busy for hours without the need for special toys or much direction. Sandbox play also increases hand and finger strength, invigorates the senses, and improves sensory vocabulary. You can stock the sandbox with play accessories from around the house. Consider using small buckets and cups, PVC pipes, safe garden tools, funnels, paintbrushes, and sifters. Cycle the toys instead of stocking the sandbox with them all at once to minimize wear and tear and to keep things interesting for the kids.
Add Plenty of Vibrant Color
Color makes things exciting and can even have an effect on your kids' moods as they play outside. For example red encourages excitement and invigorates energy, yellow keeps things cheery, and orange evokes enthusiasm. You can get the creative juices flowing with the help of purples shades too. A great way to add some extra color to your yard is to paint your exterior furniture, like the chairs and end tables, you favorite shades of emotion triggering colors.
Consider painting a hopscotch board on your cement or wooden porch. You can also add color as well as teach kids about gardening and healthy eating by planting colorful food producing plants (like strawberries and tomatoes) around the edge of the yard for hedges. Putting an easel in the yard and painting an old board with chalkboard paint to hang on an exterior wall will give your kids the opportunity to add their own color to the scheme too.
With the help of these tips and tricks, you may find that it's hard to get your kids back inside again once they venture out to play.
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