The size and quality of a yard ranks alongside the design of a kitchen when it comes to qualities new homeowners prioritize, but it can be easy to take that yard for granted and ultimately just neglect it.
If you have a family, making your yard fun can be the best way to encourage your kids to get outside and play. It could even inspire the adults to get active and change up their routine! There are a ton of creative ways you can maximize the value you get from your yard and transform it into your family’s social hub.
Incorporate Lawn Games
The great thing about most lawn games is that they don’t have to clutter up your lawn. Most games are not so complex that they can’t be tucked away and slipped under the porch or into a spare closet — but there are a ton of lawn games available for even the pickiest of players.
Whether you’re looking to set up a simple game or horseshoes or get more elaborate with a meticulously-designed croquet court, lawn games can be a great way to turn your lawn into a hotspot for activity.
Build a Treehouse
As far as cool backyard additions for kids are concerned, there’s nothing quite like a treehouse. And while it needs the right sized lawn and a decent amount of labor to achieve, it doesn’t need to be as daunting of a project as you might think.
You can always learn how to build a treehouse with a simple instructional, and you can start as modestly as you like and expand as necessary. A treehouse can provide your kids with a place that feels your own. Just be careful not to make it too comfortable, or local kids may start settling in permanently.
Create a Garden
Your backyard can be as important a place to learn as any formal classroom, and a garden can be an effective addition that can work even with smaller yards. Whether you have enough space for an expansive vegetable and herb garden or just a foot or two of space on your windowsill, kids can take the lead and learn some valuable skills in the process.
This isn’t just a great idea for the kids either. Working together with your kids to raise produce is an ideal way to get to know them better and also an easy way to encourage healthier and more well-balanced meals. Adventurous families may even want to consider introducing their kids to animal husbandry with chickens or other domestic creatures.
Encourage Outdoor Camping
Even if your kids already have a treehouse to retreat to, there’s always a sense of adventure that comes with camping. Transforming your yard into an appealing camping space is easy, and it allows your kids a sense of agency without you having to worry about them getting into trouble.
Camping gear can be as simple as a couple of tents that you pull out of the garage, or they can involve serious glamping gear that could even include connected lighting. The latter will be a little bit elaborate for most parents, but the fact remains that there’s plenty of wiggle room to find something that works for your family.
Homes are designed to be lived in, and that applies to your yard as much as anything. When figuring out what changes you might want to make, don’t just consider what the neighbors think or how it might affect your home’s value. Consider what steps you can take to make your yard a more welcoming and inviting space for your family.
Image source: fun backyard via Gorodenkoff/shutterstock