Look who’s chalking
Create a canvas for the kids to show off their artistic talents by painting one side of the shed or undercover wall in chalkboard paint (as pictured above). Just make sure the surface is clean and dry, apply primer then coat with chalkboard paint. Keep a caddy well stocked with chalk in a variety of colours — ready for art time! Psst… Wash the chalk away with water and a soft cloth.
Playgrounds rule!
Inspired by the playground equipment of local parks and gardens, look at kit combinations that include a cubby house, swing, slide and more. Typically made from lightweight UV-rated plastic, metal and/or solid timber, shop around for an assembly that suits the scale of your yard.
Keep it simple
What's the most space-savvy game for the backyard that the kids will love? Hopscotch! Just use pavement chalk to sketch up the hopscotch grid then let the kids loose! The kids can use the chalk to unleash their creativity on the pavement, too! The best bit? You can wash it away with a hose or the next shower of rain will do the trick.
Super sandpit
All kids love playing in a sandpit, right? You can buy ready-to-go containers, such as the classic clam shell sandpit, kits that require some basic assembly or, if you're handy on the tools, you can try your hand at building a timber-framed pit. If you're making your own, line the inside with weed matting to keep the sand contained and prevent weeds growing up through the sand. No matter which option you choose, a cover is handy to keep the sand free of tree debris and stop pets or wildlife making unwanted visits. Fill your sandpit with washed sand that is labelled suitable for sandpits.
Classic swing
A timber or plastic swing seat, attached to ropes and suspended from a new swing climb set or and existing swing beam is a sweet way to provide your kids a place to enjoy the great outdoors.
Cubby house fun
Provide your kids with their own little escape with a cute cubby house out in the yard. The simplest option is to buy and assemble a flatpack kit made with solid timber components (typically western red cedar). They're easy to build, and bring a charming look to the garden scene – especially if you grow climbing plants over the roofline, as here. To extend the longevity of your timber cubby, coat the timber in water-based sealant once a year or use exterior paint to decorate the house and seal the timber in one go.
Round net or tyre swing
For a spin on the classic swing, try adding a round net swing or tyre swing to your playground set-up. Top tip? Skip using an old car tyre and buy a clean, lightweight plastic tyre already fitted with three anchor points for ropes. Easy!
