How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Playground for Your Kids

While most families don’t mind wandering down to their local playground so their children can play, others would much prefer if their children had a safe play space in their own properties. That way, parents and caregivers can enjoy peace of mind knowing they have secure fencing and can keep a watchful eye on them from their own homes.

If you’ve been thinking about turning your backyard into a playground for the kids, here are a few top tips to get you started.

Start With Fencing

You will most likely be keeping a watchful eye on your children and pets while they play in the backyard, but it doesn’t hurt to have an additional layer of protection in the form of a fence. Tall fences are generally preferred for safety and privacy, and building laws dictate that you can build fences and garden walls up to 2.5m high without building consent.

If your budget doesn’t allow for a complete fence surrounding your property, consider installing one around the backyard, ensuring your children and pets can play in your rear yard safely. Many worthwhile and affordable fencing materials, such as wood, metal, and composite, are worth exploring for this project.

Sow Hardy Grass

We are spoilt for choice here in Aotearoa New Zealand regarding grass types. There are plenty of options to choose from, such as:

• Tall fescue

• Fine fescue

• Couch

• Kikuyu

• Rye

• Mixed blend

While you might base your choice on aesthetics, it’s important to think of hardiness when your backyard is going to be transformed into a playground for your kids. The hardier the grass, the more foot traffic it can withstand.

Kikuyu grass is a firm favorite for outdoors-loving families who spend a lot of time playing lawn games and running around. It’s hard-wearing and robust to handle plenty of traffic and a variety of weather conditions. However, Kikuyu grass can also be quite weed-like, especially when the roots take hold in your gardens.

If you live near the beach or your soil has high salt content, couch grass might be worth exploring when you require something hardy. It grows sideways, so it can take daily trampling in its stride, and it’s quite rugged and robust. However, like Kikuyu, it can sometimes be invasive, and you’ll need to stay on top of maintenance.

Make Trees a Feature

While you might have originally planted trees for the shelter, protection, and privacy they provide, they can also be the star of the show in a children’s playground. They can form the foundation of a tree hut or be the perfect structure for a tire swing. Trees can also just be fun for children to climb.

However, don’t forget to prioritise tree care while utilising your tree for play purposes. A healthy tree is typically a safe tree. Give it the fertiliser, nutrients, and water it needs, look for signs of disease, and undertake regular tree trimming.

Take Care of Hazards

We want our children to be safe when they play, which is perhaps why you wanted to create a fun and safe play environment in your own yard. As construction and remodeling efforts get underway, don’t forget to thoroughly inspect your yard to take care of anything that might be or become a hazard for children and pets.

Poisonous plants, tree stumps, holes in fences, or hazardous trees can all be backyard elements that require your attention for your family’s safety.

Invest in Quality Playground Equipment

It can be tempting to purchase the most affordable playground equipment you can find, especially when you plan on buying multiple items to give your children plenty to choose from. However, as a general rule, the more you spend, the better the quality of the equipment.

For example, spending more on a trampoline typically allows you to take advantage of safety features like nets and spring-free mats. More expensive swing sets also tend to be made of higher-quality materials designed to stand the test of time.

Create Areas

While some families are more than happy dedicating their entire yard to children’s play, others want to be able to use their yards for themselves, as well. Before any yard work gets underway, sketch out your current yard and devise a plan for developing it for everyone’s enjoyment.

For example, you might create a fenced-off area for children and pets, an entertainment area for the whole family, and a well-established vegetable garden with a tool shed for all your gardening supplies. With enough forethought and planning, everyone can have their needs met.

Start Planning Your Playground

Why venture down to your local playground when you can build your very own in your backyard? Take note of these tips above, and you can be on your way to creating your children’s dream playground that they can enjoy with their friends and family.