• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
Embracing Motherhood
  • Resources
  • YouTube
  • Blogs
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

DIY Backyard Ideas for Summer Fun with Young Children

Backyard for Kids, General, Parenting
15 Ways to Make Your Backyard a Perfect Park for Kids
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

These are the ways that we have transformed our backyard into a super fun and engaging backyard haven for our five young children. We have about an acre of fenced in land behind our house, and with everything we have created, built, and purchased, we are very content to just stay home and enjoy ourselves.

I believe that children should be free and have autonomy to choose their own activities and be independently entertained. I also believe in giving kids as many natural settings and experiences as I can to help them develop their creative and imaginative minds. By incorporating these things into our yard over the past three years, I think we have done just that.

1. Sandbox

When we moved into our house three years ago, building a sandbox was the first thing we did, and our children LOVE it! They play in it every single time we are outside.

Our Sandbox

Our Sandbox

2. Stock Tank Swimming Pool

We wanted a durable swimming pool that all of us could fit in that wouldn’t break the bank, and this stock tank swimming pool has been perfect! Learn how we made stock tank pool here.

Stock Tank Swimming Pool

Stock Tank Swimming Pool

3. Garden

Our kids love every aspect of gardening from preparing the soil, to planting the seeds, to harvesting the garden. It’s a lot of work to put it in, but I love maintaining it and reaping the benefits. Read about the benefits of gardening with kids as well as to see the gardening tips and tricks I have here.

Ruby Picking Beans in Our Garden

Ruby Picking Beans in Our Garden

4. Obstacle Course

Our kids love challenging themselves with this simple obstacle course put together with nothing more than some old tires, boards, and a few screws.

Our Backyard Obstacle Course

Our Backyard Obstacle Course

5. Teepee

I got the idea for this teepee from the one my mom made in their field and from the one at Blanford Nature Center in their natural play area. Every year we add more sticks, stalks, old vines, etc. to it, and the kids love using it for imaginative play.

Our Backyard Teepee

Our Backyard Teepee

6. Stepping Stumps

This was another idea I got from Blanford Nature Center. Whenever we see someone chopping down a tree, my husband races over with his pick up truck to collect the stumps. The kids love walking back and forth on them and jumping into the sand that is piled below.

How to Make Stepping Stumps

How to Make Stepping Stumps

7. Hills

The first hill we made was unplanned. As we were digging up the sod for our sandbox, we decided to pile it up making a little hill. We were surprised at how much our little ones loved running up and down it, so we got some dirt and added a few more. This slide has also been a really fun touch.

Our Big Hill

Our Big Hill

8. Tent

I love setting up an outdoor tent in the spring, summer, and fall as both a holding tank for blankets, toys, and books, as well as a retreat for anyone wanting to duck away from the wind, cold, sun, or people.

Our Backyard Tent

Our Backyard Tent

9. Sports Equipment

I love having a basket with a variety of sports equipment that the kids can use freely. We have soccer balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, frisbees, baseball bats and balls, rubber kick balls, and more.

Sports Equipment

Sports Equipment

10. Swing Set

We initially got a swing set like this at our local shopping market, but we always wanted a big wooden structure like this. As luck would have it, we knew someone getting rid of one for free! It took three guys seven hours to take apart and put back together, but it has been perfect for our older children.

Swing Set

Swing Set

Wooden Play Structure

Wooden Play Structure

11. Battery Powered Cars

For a brief time in my childhood I remember having a battery powered car, and my brother and I LOVED them! We now have an dune buggy, jeep, and mini four wheeler for our kids, and they get used every time we go outside. This is the 3rd summer we’ve had them, and with the exception of some new rechargeable batteries, they have held up very well.

Julian and Ophelia in Battery Powered Car

Julian and Ophelia in Battery Powered Car

12. Water Pouring Station

In the winter, I have been brave enough to bring this inside, but in the summer, it is so nice to have the mess outside! My little ones play with this water table every day. I like having some kind of table (like this tool bench) nearby to hold the cups, teapots, buckets, and other pouring supplies. I also love having it near the sandbox so they can incorporate sand into their water play.

Water Pouring Station

Water Pouring Station

13. Playhouse

Having a playhouse encourages all kinds of imaginative play. The kids love this one especially because of the little seats, windows that open and shut, and small door. We usually pick a spot for the house to stay for the season because it kills the grass underneath, but you could always move it around.

Playhouse

Playhouse

14. Mini Kitchen

With the mini kitchen, we also have a kids sized picnic table, mini grill, and baskets of play food and plastic dishes. The kids love preparing pretend meals and feeding us hungry adults.

Elliot and Julian Playing with Our Mini Kitchen

Elliot and Julian Playing with Our Mini Kitchen

15. Basketball Hoop

Our daughter Ophelia has particularly enjoyed this basketball hoop. She stands on a little stepping stool and the balls are collected in this little wagon. And of course we have an adult sized hoop as well. We debated laying some concrete, but have enjoyed simply having the ability to shoot baskets.

Basketball Hoops

Basketball Hoops

In Conclusion

Occasionally, we do like to go places, but mostly we just enjoy staying home. Between the 26 learning stations we have inside and the fun we’ve created outside, our kids are never bored and neither are we. Here’s a video of us getting our yard ready for summer last year. You can really see how much things have changed!

Related

May 28, 2017/1 Comment/by Stacey Maaser
Tags: backyard for kids, backyard fun, diy, how to, kids in nature, parenting
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/backyard-park.png 400 810 Stacey Maaser https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EM_Logo.png Stacey Maaser2017-05-28 10:16:132020-11-20 13:23:21DIY Backyard Ideas for Summer Fun with Young Children
You might also like
Embracing Motherhood Why We Are Giving Technology a Break Why We Are Giving Technology a Break
Yes, This is Really a Post About Coloring Embracing Motherhood Tips and Tricks for Coloring with Kids
How to Identify and Deal with Lip Tie and Tongue Tie
Embracing Motherhood How to Make All Natural Homemade Lip Balm How to Make Your Own Lip Balm
How to Make a Silky Blanket How to Make a Silky Blanket
Why We Don't Make Our Kids Share Why We Don’t Make Our Kids Share
stop yelling at your children, guiding children towards positive behaviors Guiding Children Towards Positive Behaviors
Embracing Motherhood How to Make a Backyard Obstacle Course How to Make a Backyard Obstacle Course
1 reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Stacey Maaser

Stacey Maaser author of Embracing Motherhood

Author of Embracing Motherhood

Affiliate Links

I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Recent Posts

  • Teach Your Toddler How to Read
  • Teach Your Baby How to Read
  • We Use Our Trampoline Just About Every Day!
  • How to Start a Homeschool Routine During Covid-19
  • 26 Learning Centers for a Homeschool Preschool Environment
  • How to Make Whole Wheat Sourdough Muffins
  • #1-Oral Language Development Lays the Foundation for Reading
  • #2-How to Engage Your Baby or Young Child with Reading
  • #3-Learning How to Read Begins with the ABCs
  • #4-Memorizing Words (Before Sounding Them Out) Leads to Reading
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Newsletter Signup

TEACHING    PARENTING    MOM TALK    HEALTH    RECIPES    DIY  

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service, Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Comment Policy. Content may not be reproduced in any form.

Terms of Service | Full Disclaimer | Affiliate Disclosure | Comment Policy | Privacy Policy

Related

Copyright © 2023 Embracing Motherhood. All rights reserved. Site by CurlyHost.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
Scroll to top
 

Loading Comments...