After months of being confined inside your home, there is nothing more exciting to a walking toddler than their very own backyard. From the crisp air to the shining sun and the feel of grass, all your child will want to do is explore and take in as much as they can. The outdoors can be an intimidating space for parents who are not sure if their backyard is safe enough, but with these tips and tricks, your yard can quickly become a safe haven for your toddlers to play and enjoy.
Keep your child confined to a safe space. If your backyard is equipped with water features, play sets, or other baby dangers, create a safe space for your baby to play outdoors. Generally speaking, there should be at least 5-feet of barrier surrounding any kind of water feature in your yard, whether it’s a pool, a fountain, or a pond. Place barriers around any climbing obstacles, like benches, chairs, or low tables, to prevent your child from tipping them over. Additionally, your yard should have a fence around the perimeter to keep your baby from wandering out.
Give your toddler the gift of a green thumb. You never want your child playing in the tall grass or an untamed landscape, as doing so can increase their risks of ticks, bugs and poison ivy. Make sure your yard is maintained with weekly mowing and proper manicuring of bushes. Hire a landscaper if you are highly allergic to poison ivy and have them professionally removed. Use some type of chicken wire to keep the younger ones off your award-winning tomatoes and cucumbers. Just think – in a year or so, you may find their interest peak in helping you plant, prune and pick their own lunch and dinner right from their backyard!
Provide your kid with soft ground to explore. If you have a grand green area for your child, then you are good to go. The grass area acts as a soft ground should your child trip and fall, but if your backyard is a deck or a hard slab of concrete or pavers, interlocking rubber mats are an easy solution that helps cushion your child’s fall and playing on the ground.
Play around! A child will find a bare backyard entertaining for only a short time. Encourage play by bringing some of their inside toys outside, like balls, riding toys, bubbles and don’t be afraid of buying a swing set or slide. Play gyms are expected in the yard of a growing family and will only add to your home’s appeal if and when you put it on the market. If your child seems hesitant towards a towering playset, introduce them to a big blow-up pool and settle them in it with their toys. It may take some time for your child to warm up to their new playspace, but once they discover an activity they enjoy, their fear will quickly turn to curiosity.
Be wary of the weather. It can be easy for a toddler to ignore symptoms of fatigue caused by running, jumping and playing. On particularly hot days, keep your child hydrated. When the sun doesn’t shine, a little dancing in the rain and jumping in puddles can be great fun for your kids, as long as there isn’t any lightning present and you’re okay with doing an extra load of laundry. If it gets too stormy, bring your child inside – there’s no sense in risking the chance of injury.
You can quickly and easily create a safe area for your child to play in your yard. Appreciate the land surrounding your home with your entire family knowing your child is playing safe in your own yard with these tips. For more advice on baby-safe backyard decor, contact Kristen Fencl, an Incline Village, NV interior decorator.