With busy schedules and the rise of new technologies, children don’t spend as much time outside as they used to. In fact, research has shown the average child only spends four hours a week outside. (Compare that to the 8.2 hours a week their parents logged outdoors as children.)

Considering the positive impact that outdoors has on children’s physical and mental health, it’s important to find creative ways to get them outside into the fresh air and sunshine. And with the ultimate kid-friendly backyard, how could they resist.

4 Creative Ideas For Your Kid-Friendly Backyard

Convert a Shed into a Playhouse

Backyard sheds don’t just have to be for storage for lawn tools and supplies. They can also make for the perfect playhouse. Outfitted with decorations and furniture to suit your kids’ tastes, the interior of the shed can house (among other things) a reading nook, an arts and crafts area, and storage for toys while the exterior can accommodate an outdoor table and seating for children.

Add a Koi Pond to Your Outdoor Space

While koi ponds add peace and tranquility to any backyard, they can also be a source of fun for children of all ages. In one sense, the koi can function as a low-maintenance pet that kids can watch grow and help care for. What’s more, is a koi pond creates a mini-ecosystem in your backyard that attracts other wildlife like birds and butterflies. This presents more opportunities for children to interact with nature and grow their interest in the outdoors.

Create a Family Garden to Care For

Planning what to grow. Sowing the seeds. Caring for the plants. Gardening is a multi-step process — and what better way to marry family time with the outdoors than an outdoor garden? While this provides a source of physical activity for children, it also provides them with a sense of accomplishment as they see the fruits of their efforts. (An added bonus: Kids who help grow fruits and vegetables are far more likely to try them!)

Establish a Designated Play Area with Games

Kids love to have spaces that they feel like are just theirs. While the playhouse shed fits this bill, so does a designated play area in the backyard. Whether you opt to outfit this “kids-only” space with a sandbox, hopscotch steps or a swing (to offer up just a few ideas), it’s sure to become a popular destination for not only your children but other kids in the neighborhood as well.

Looking for help in turning your backyard into a kid-friendly space? As a landscape design firm with years of experience, Green Impressions can help you create the right layout and install the right features to suit your needs. The first step is to schedule a free consultation.