If your kids aren’t spending a lot of their free time outdoors, they really should be. Research shows that children should be outside for four to six hours every day. Peeling them away from screens is easier said than done, though, especially if your backyard isn’t up to scratch.
The back garden is the best place to start, though, if you want to get serious about giving your little ones more activity time outdoors. There are various ways that you can transform your outdoor space to tempt the kids to spend more time out there and away from their screens indoors.
Sorting Out The Garden Can Add Value to the Home
The main aim of transforming the backyard jungle into a family haven should be to get your children playing outside more. However, it’s not the only reason why it’s a good idea.
In fact, having a decent garden can add value to your house and make it more appealing to families when you eventually decide to sell. Whilst the traditional house-selling route is a slow but viable option, online estate agents are a great alternative if you want to sell a house fast. When selling online, the agents collect a lot of information about the house, such as how well maintained the garden is. A quality outdoor space could lead to a higher cash offer, as they will know that the property would be easier to sell to families or those with pets.
Divide The Garden Into Zones
No matter the size of your garden, one way to make it more child-friendly is to divide it into zones. This way, it will give the little ones a chance to use their imagination in different areas and split their playing time between them as well. Younger children, for example, could thrive with a sandbox that gives them a chance to build and dig. Older ones would benefit more from a jungle gym setup with swings and slides.
Away from the main play areas, having a zone for sitting and chilling is arguably essential. After all, parents will need a space to relax while they keep an eye on the kids. Don’t forget to plant some flowers and install some bird homes to attract wildlife too.
Kid Friendly Gardening
Have you ever considered getting your children into gardening? One of the key benefits to this is that it develops fine motor skills, but it’s also a useful way to teach them about sustainability and healthy eating.
One way to encourage the children to do their own gardening is to reserve a patch of land for them to use. After teaching them how to plant and harvest, you could let them run it themselves to develop their independent thinking.
Make Sure It Doesn’t Require Much Looking After
One of the main reasons why a lot of people let their outdoor spaces become more like jungle environments is because they don’t have time to keep up with the maintenance. That’s why, when you design your new garden, it’s wise to make sure you don’t have to do much.
The best way to do this is to opt for plants that don’t need much upkeep. You could even look into replacing the lawn with woodchip or other child-friendly materials, so you don’t have to keep up with mowing.
If you’re sick of looking out of the window and seeing an overgrown mess that resembles a rainforest, maybe it’s time to get it sorted. Along with adding value to the house, it may encourage the children to play outside more – which is one of the best things that could happen in their lives.
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