How to Set Up an Outdoor Play Space for Children

Creating a fun and safe outdoor play area for kids can be accomplished with basic materials, creativity and some time and effort. No matter how big or small a play area is, playing with children outdoors is an important part of encouraging exploration of nature and development of gross motor skills. Making sure outdoor play areas are safe and secure will ease the mind about allowing children to play unattended.

Things You'll Need

  • Fencing or movable gates
  • Sandbox
  • Sand
  • Sand toys
  • Plastic pool
  • Water toys
  • Planter box or pots
  • Play structure
  • Large recycled tires
  • Rope swing

Instructions

    • 1

      Select an outdoor area to designate as the childrens play area. It should be an outdoor space that offers ground area and access to nature of some sort, whether it is a planter box or trees in the yard.

    • 2

      Secure the outdoor play area with fencing or portable gates, depending on the age of children. For children over the age of 5, use permanent fencing along with a gate to keep them enclosed and safe within the outdoor play area, especially if planning to leave children to play outdoors unattended. Select fencing that fits with your lifestyle and land area.

    • 3

      Section the outdoor play area into areas to create different learning and playing environments. There should be an area for sand play, one for a nature area, another for water play and a large area for gross motor development and play.

    • 4

      In the area designated for sand play create a sandbox area using a pre-made sandbox or building one from lumber. Fill the sandbox with sand and sand tools.

    • 5

      For the area designated for water play, a shallow plastic swimming pool can be used for children to experiment with water. Fill the pool with 3 inches of water for children to play in, along with various water toys.

    • 6

      Create a natural area for children to plant plants, watch plants grow and tend to the plants. Using a planter box, several large pots or stakes to mark the ground will designate the location of the natural area.

    • 7

      Set up the gross motor skills area with a purchased play structure or create one yourself. Purchased play structures can include swings, slides and climbing walls and can be structured to the space available. Gross motor play can also be created using large recycled tires for children to sit and climb over or a rope swing hung from a tree.

    • 8

      Once outdoor play areas have been created, check areas for safety and security. When satisfied with the outdoor play area, allow children to play and explore.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Should Pre-K Students Be Able to Write?
      Your little learner is ready for her first day of school, but youre still stressing over whether shes prepared for the preschool curriculum. If youre wondering if your 3- to 5-year-old should kick off her preschool career already knowing how to write
    • What Children's Play Habits Mean
      You may not readily connect with children’s need to wrestle with their friends or tell fanciful tales, but they have their reasons for wanting to play that way. Children at different stages in their development will demonstrate various play hab
    • Fun Summer Activity Ideas for Daycare
      Daycare provides parents with an opportunity to have children socialize and be protected in a loving environment. For daycare providers that aim to help children meet their developmental milestones in a fun way, finding the right activities can be ch