With video games to play, friends to chat with online, and movies to stream, many youngsters would rather spend time planted on the sofa instead of planting flowers in the backyard and enjoying other open-air activities. A family-friendly outdoor living space is an excellent way to encourage your 21st-century kids to spend more time outside.
Your home’s outdoor space is an extension of your indoor living room or den: Everyone in the family gets a chance to relax, with the added benefit of getting some fresh air and sunshine. If you’re wondering what makes an outdoor space family-friendly and how to create a backyard everyone can enjoy, then you’re in the right place.
A family-friendly space is comfortable and enjoyable for everyone—and a truly kid-friendly backyard is free of safety hazards, which gives parents peace of mind. When thinking about the features that belong in your backyard, it helps to group them into categories that cover your family’s needs.
Fencing in the backyard is a must because it keeps kids and pets in and strangers and wildlife out. In-ground and above-ground swimming pools also need secure fencing to keep kids and pets from diving in without supervision or falling. You’ll need to consult state and municipal guidelines for specific requirements, but in general, fence slats should be close enough to one another that no one can put their head or limbs between them. The fence will also need a securely latched gate and may be subject to height requirements to prevent climbing.
If you need to childproof the house to help protect young kids, then plan to do the same in the backyard. This means planters and outdoor furniture should have rounded corners instead of sharp edges, and gate and fence latches should be out of reach of small children. There should also be clear sight lines across the yard that make it easier to supervise play areas from a porch, patio or window overlooking the space.
Who says outdoor fun has to stop when the sun goes down? To increase visibility at night, install path lighting along walkways and make sure play areas and sitting areas are well-lit. Upward-facing can lights are helpful for visibility and safety, while string lights add an ambient touch.
When creating play areas, think about how your kids will be using the space. If you’re going to install play structures, cover the ground underneath with playground mulch or rubberized mats to cushion kids' falls and help prevent scrapes and scratches in the process. Save the bikes and roller skates for paved surfaces, like a patio or driveway.
All the parts of your yard should work together to ensure the space is comfortable and safe, so there should be clear walking paths and seating areas near the lawn and play areas. Gravel or paver stone walkways allow kids and grownups to move between the deck or patio and grassy areas with ease.
Shrubs and flowerbeds create aesthetically pleasing, lush borders that help define the different zones and paths in the backyard. Use sturdy, non-toxic plants with soft textures to add color without putting kids and pets at risk.
Now that you know a few elements to include in an outdoor living space, here are backyard ideas for kids and adults to discuss with your loved ones.
The natural landscape is a fantastic source of inspiration for family-friendly backyard ideas. You can hang hammock chairs or wooden swings from an oak tree's thick, sturdy branches. Or consider building a treehouse that lets kids explore their surroundings.
Utilize river rocks or flagstones to create retaining walls in sloped areas. The walls can also help define the patio area and make an outdoor living or dining room feel more private. Make navigating the yard easier with limestone or granite steps. Try flanking the larger stones with gravel for drainage and a textural contrast and remember to add a handrail to steeper areas for safety.
The best family-friendly backyard ideas include educational components that make learning fun. Your kids can help plant a vegetable garden or flower bed and learn about the life cycle of different plants. Create space for planting right in the ground or for raised containers.
A koi or frog pond adds visual interest to outdoor spaces. Place small boulders around the perimeter to help the water feature stand out. Sitting in deck chairs while listening to the sound of moving water will create a calming atmosphere for family gatherings. Kids will learn about the pond ecosystem by observing the birds and animals visiting.
Hanging bird and squirrel feeders also gives kids a close-up look at their wild neighbors. Plant trumpet honeysuckle, sunflowers, and other pollinator-attracting plants around the yard to bring in even more birds and insects.
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 26 locations in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award-winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends.