Engaging your kids in outdoor activities in a world influenced by gadgets can often be challenging. Distractions such as phones, tablets, social media, and Netflix make it difficult for parents to get children interested in physical activities. And this raises huge physical and mental health concerns for a family. Since playing in the open air is one of the best physical activities, the lack of outdoor play areas for children can be a cause for concern. The health benefit of outdoor games is one of the reasons why parents think of ways to create a kids’ play area in the garden. Those renting villas in Dubai often have the luxury of a personal garden or backyard where they can build imaginative outdoor play areas for children. Dubai residents should, however, seek permission from landlords if they are making any structural additions or changes.

But the question is, how should you design an area to encourage your child to play outdoors? To answer this, let us discover the garden play area essentials.

PRE-REQUISITES TO CREATE KIDS’ PLAY AREA IN THE GARDEN

PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Children love to roam freely in play areas. Toys and games keep them physically engaged and active. Besides running, there are plenty of activities such as swinging, sliding, climbing, hopping, and jumping that children love to do. Equipment like a slide or swing can also be placed in the garden. Children can use skipping ropes, hoops, and scooters for a healthy play session. Placing car tires and plank balance beams in a sequence can be your child’s favorite activity in the backyard. These physical activities are a good way to instill healthy habits and exercise right from a young age.

HAVE A MESSY PLAY AREA

Children love to play with mud and water. Parents should not stop kids from getting involved in slightly messy play activities such as making mud houses or playing in sand pits. These sensory experiences are essential for the development of the child. Placing a permanent mud pit with a few small tubs or vessels in outdoor play spaces for kids can be an effective idea. For a small garden area, you can make a mud play zone by adding your child’s favourite toys along with the natural elements.

CREATIVITY

Creativity should not be restricted to drawing or painting. Parents should look for ways to add music and challenging games to the kids’ play area in the garden.  Outdoor games that encourage brainstorming would be an interesting addition to your children’s play area. Outdoor chalkboards and painting canvases placed in the garden can not only allow children to express their thoughts and ideas and it’s also an easy environment to clean up afterwards. You can encourage children to take their play outdoors and even set up their toys outside.

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Parents should create a safe environment for children where they can play and learn. Get them involved in an activity that they will definitely enjoy. Growing a vegetable garden or creating a feeding tower for birds, are some of the things you could get your children to try. Kids can also learn to handle natural resources better. Encourage your child’s curiosity by introducing a bug catcher, bird feeder, bird bath, or butterfly net. These tools would allow them to research and increase their knowledge about the natural world.

SECRET SPACES

Creating a secret space in backyard playgrounds is something most children would love to do outdoors. It sparks their sense of independence and gets their curiosity going. A treehouse or tent can give your children this sense of excitement and independence.

SHIJINA RIJESH