Childhood101

playing. learning. growing.

  • Learning Activities
    • Mathematics
    • Literacy
    • Social Emotional Learning
    • Distance Learning Resources
    • Coding for Kids
    • Science & Nature
    • Art & Craft
    • Holidays/Celebrations
    • Best Books for Kids
    • Products We Love
  • Play Ideas
    • Group Games for Kids
    • Sensory Play Ideas
    • Outdoor Play
    • Fun Play Spaces
    • Pretend Play
    • Lego Challenges
  • PRINTABLES
  • Books for Kids
    • Picture Books
    • Chapter Books
    • Graphic Novels
  • Activities By Age
    • School Age Learners
    • Pre+K Learners
    • Toddler Play
    • Baby Play
  • SHOP

Making Space for Outdoor Play When Space is Tight

Making space for outdoor play when space is tight

Christie recently shared some great ideas for creating an outdoor play space kids will adore and I thought it might be fun to follow up with some of the ways we make space for outdoor play in our rather urban, not-so-natural-feeling, smallish backyard.

First, let me set your mind at ease: Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of space to dedicate to outdoor play. Instead of trying to have it all, choose one or two of the ideas here or rotate play spaces from one season to the next, depending on your child’s evolving interests. What’s most important is that your children have a chance to spend time playing outside every day.

Nature Play Station
The secret to keeping our outdoor play space organized is our nature play station (shown above). It’s a makeshift shelving unit made with a couple of unused wood planks and some tree stumps. This is where we keep our sand and dirt toys (buckets, shovels and the like), plus other natural elements like acorns, shells, sticks and rocks.

Backyard Beach - outdoor play in small spaces

Backyard Beach
Instead of a DIY sandbox with all the trimmings, how about a backyard beach? We made one using an extra large galvanized tub. Add some sand (which can be purchased at a local garden supply store), shovels, sifters, plastic animals and water and voila – it’s a backyard beach.

Mud play space - outdoor play in small spaces

Mud Play Zone
I know mud pie kitchens are popular, but my two boys aren’t afraid to get seriously dirty. Which means we rely on a simple, small mound of dirt for our mud play. (You could simplify even more by using a bucket or other large container instead.)

Our mud play zone transforms daily with the addition of favorite toys and natural elements. At times it’s a racetrack, construction site or fossil bed; other days it’s filled with water for making rivers, puddles and mud soup.

Fairy garden - outdoor play in small spaces

Mini Gardens
Children’s gardens don’t have to take up as much space as you might think. Think containers. You can plant favorite flowers and herbs in a fairy garden, which can be as simple as the one we made in a recycled wooden crate. Add magical touches using natural elements such as rocks, seeds, pinecones and sticks.

Water Worlds
Once the temperatures start to rise, water play tends to take over our entire backyard, though we don’t have a water table or kiddie pool. Instead, we keep buckets handy (other plastic containers work well, too) as well as an array of water play “tools” – squirt guns, spray bottles and sponges.

How do you make space for outdoor play?

Debi Huang is a Los Angeles, CA-based wife, mom and adventure guide for two young boys. She writes about connecting kids and families with nature in the backyard and beyond.

Filed Under: Bigger Kids Play, Our Play Space, Outdoor Fun, Outdoor Spaces, Preschool Play, Toddler Play Tagged With: outdoor play

Previous post: 9 Ways to Motivate Kids…to Play, to Learn & to Love Life
Next post: Activities for Babies: Shiny & Reflective Baby Treasure Basket

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Melanie Link Taylor says

    May 17, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    Thanks, this is great. One of my favorite childhood memories is making mudpies in the backyard. The gooshy feel, great smell of earth. Part of growing up. Maybe that's why I am a gardener now.
    • Debi says

      May 18, 2013 at 1:45 AM

      I love your description of the gooshy feel of making mudpies. I can remember filling up an old bucket with water, then adding mud to it with my bare hands just to get that goopy sensation! Thanks for helping rekindle a fond memory of childhood. :-)
  2. Kylie @ Octavia and Vicky says

    May 18, 2013 at 4:22 AM

    What a wonderful play space. I love all the natural elements.
    • Debi says

      May 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM

      Thanks so much, Kylie! :-)
  3. Ali says

    May 20, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    My kids would love a backyard beach.... a tub of sand is a fantastic idea.
    • Debi says

      May 21, 2013 at 11:27 AM

      Hi Ali! I hope you have a chance to give the backyard beach a go when the weather warms up. Enjoy - and let me know how it goes!

Trackbacks

  1. Se7en's Fabulous Friday Fun #171... - se7en says:
    May 20, 2013 at 3:40 AM
    [...] I just can not resist outdoor play spaces… Childhood 101 always has the best of them!!! [...]
Welcome
pinterestinstagramteachers pay teachersyoutubefacebook

Search

Tips & Resources


Latest

65+ YA dystopian books for teens

21 Thrilling YA Dystopian Book Series for Teens

Inside: Our pick of the best YA dystopian books series for teens. If your … [Read More...]

2023 Kids Calendar Printable

Free, Printable Kids Calendar 2023 with Mindful Affirmations

Help your tween or teen stay on top of school tasks and out-of-school … [Read More...]

Best Family Games for you New Years Eve Party

10 Best Family Games for Your New Year’s Eve Party

Looking for a range of fun, high energy family games to play at your New Year's … [Read More...]

The Book

Learning Resources


Activities by Age

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
School-age
Family

Copyright ©2022 · Childhood101 - All Rights Reserved ·

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • PRIVACY POLICY