You probably think your kids will remember the furniture in your living room (the couch, TV, etc.), the rug, the walls… But I’ll bet you money they won’t. Years down the road, they’ll likely remember the spot of grass behind the back door that was cool to run barefoot on after dinner; they’ll remember building their own mini-worlds in the mud; and most importantly, they’ll remember those special summer evenings when everyone hung out outside just a little bit longer than usual.
Via Unsplash
Provide Your Kids With A Space To Feel Free
Your backyard doesn’t have to be perfect. If it looks perfect, people are going to come and admire your perfectly manicured lawn. And when kids grow up, they’re going to want a space that feels like they can run wild. A nice big lawn. Some shady spots. Paths to walk. Places to dig. Places to collect leaves. Places to blow bubbles. Places to sit quietly when the house is getting crazy.
Think About How You Live When Planning Your Backyard
So many families spend so much money and time planning a beautiful backyard with no consideration for how they really live. Think about what areas of your home get traffic throughout the day. Where do the kids tend to end up playing? What part of the yard gets the hottest sun during the afternoon? Are there parts of the yard that you can see your kids while eating breakfast, lunch or dinner? All of these minor practical considerations determine if your kids will hang out in the backyard or just look out the windows, wishing they could go play.
Simplify The Ordinary Moments Of Family Life
Ultimately, the best family yards are those that allow your family to function normally. Do you take off your shoes as soon as you enter the house? Are there storage bins for all of your kids’ toys and equipment? Is there an easy-to-clean surface for messy meals, doing homework, having weekend lunch? Don’t worry about having a ton of square footage. Just focus on reducing “friction” in your daily routine.
The last thing you want is a situation where every single time someone wants to go outside, you have to drag everything outside, set it up, clean it up, and pack it all back inside again. This makes hanging out outdoors seem like a chore. But when the yard is already prepped and ready for use, then it’s easier for your kids to spontaneously decide to head outside. You can enjoy a cup of coffee near them. Dinner can extend well past bedtime. The dog can just roam free. You don’t even realize how much more relaxed life feels until it happens!
It can help to look at your yard the way Outdoor Reflections landscape design pros might, considering flow, shade, safety, planting, and comfort before choosing the decorative touches.
Create Areas For Growth
As we know, the sandpits are only fun for a year or two. Then come the toddler slides, and eventually plastic playhouses. There are ways to build areas in your backyard that will adapt to your growing family. A small open lawn could currently serve as a soccer field and later become a picnic area. A concrete corner currently being used for chalk drawing can evolve into a fire pit when your kids are old enough.
Hardy shrubs, softer edges, and a couple of trees will provide the necessary elements to create peace without requiring excessive maintenance. Your kids will notice more than you’d expect. Wet dirt smells great. Birds sing louder. Shade from a tree feels cooler on hot days.
In conclusion, it does not matter if your backyard is large or small. All it needs to do is encourage your family to venture outside frequently enough for memory-making to occur slowly, over time.
