What Do You Think I Should Add to Our Backyard?

[cheerfuldom]

Here is what we have

*little tikes 8 in 1 climber/slide unit
*two swing sets with various types of swing, trapeze bar, etc.
*enclosed trampoline which for now, is used my kids only
*a covered sandbox and sand toys, mostly just buckets and shovels
*a little tikes boat that is supposed to be a sandbox. Its not covered though so I dont put sand in and the kids just sit in there and like to climb around

I have tried a few play house type options but I find that the kids either fight over the door on it, not letting someone in or out or smashing fingers in the doors or windows....plus the enclosed area has attracted snakes and spiders a time or two. we have a dog now and I have noticed nothing in our yard for the longest time as he will hunt down any bird or squirrel so maybe the wildlife issue would be a non-issue now? but I really hate the doors on playhouses.


I'd like to hear what you think I could or should add. Our backyard is huge and fenced and the kids just run and collect leaves and such so its not like they are unhappy back there but I would love to add in the future.

I only have a very small concrete patio, the rest is grass and a bit hilly so ride on toys/bikes/etc. are not an option out they unless they are heavy duty.

we had a little atv/battery operated ride on toy that did well with the hills but there is only one so the kids fight for it. we have a wagon but I dont pull kids (or push on swings or do much as far as entertaining them) so I think I am going to get rid of the wagon too.

we are planning a garden in the future but have to wait till we can afford to enclose it because of the dog

[justgettingstarted]

The water table is by far the biggest hit in my backyard. Sometimes it will keep them busy the whole 2 hours we're out there. I put little watering cans in it and they water all of my potted plants I also have a big yard with hills and they love pushing our scooters around. They are heavier built and handle the off-roading well. I'm also looking for a dome climber but I haven't seen any on CL over the past two months and don't want to pay full price.

[cheerfuldom]

The water table is by far the biggest hit in my backyard. Sometimes it will keep them busy the whole 2 hours we're out there. I put little watering cans in it and they water all of my potted plants I also have a big yard with hills and they love pushing our scooters around. They are heavier built and handle the off-roading well. I'm also looking for a dome climber but I haven't seen any on CL over the past two months and don't want to pay full price.

thanks for the ideas! I dont leave water play out all the time because it is too much for me to change 7 wet kids when I am now 23 weeks pregnant. I know my kids....they wont just play, they will get full on soaked! so I have to be prepared for that when I put water play items out in the backyard for constant use. For now, I just pull out the sprinkler, play sink and water toys when I have the energy to do what it takes to dry off and change all those kids. The oldest is 4 and the only one that can dry and change on their own.

[spud912]

thanks for the ideas! I dont leave water play out all the time because it is too much for me to change 7 wet kids when I am now 23 weeks pregnant. I know my kids....they wont just play, they will get full on soaked! so I have to be prepared for that when I put water play items out in the backyard for constant use. For now, I just pull out the sprinkler, play sink and water toys when I have the energy to do what it takes to dry off and change all those kids. The oldest is 4 and the only one that can dry and change on their own.

I was going to suggest a water table as well, but I definitely see where you are coming from! I don't have it available all the time for that very reason (only when we also have the pool out and everyone is in their swimming suits).

I guess you can say I am a minimalist outside. We have the climber, a kids picnic bench, and one tub with toys (buckets, shovels, watering cans, etc). The water/sand table and wading pool are only brought out once a week. The lack of toys makes the kids so creative outside! They dig in the rocks, chase each other, search for bugs, pick leaves and flowers off the bushes and trees, plant "seeds," chase birds and lizards, etc.

[cheerfuldom]

I was going to suggest a water table as well, but I definitely see where you are coming from! I don't have it available all the time for that very reason (only when we also have the pool out and everyone is in their swimming suits).

I guess you can say I am a minimalist outside. We have the climber, a kids picnic bench, and one tub with toys (buckets, shovels, watering cans, etc). The water/sand table and wading pool are only brought out once a week. The lack of toys makes the kids so creative outside! They dig in the rocks, chase each other, search for bugs, pick leaves and flowers off the bushes and trees, plant "seeds," chase birds and lizards, etc.

yeah that is basically what my kids do to, which is why we have tried and then sold some other play equipment. I dont like to clutter the yard with things that arent being used or that cause fights...but I am always open to new things to try!

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I'd add plants and/or trellises to make "secret" places to play. Some "loose parts" to haul around and rearrange and build with--stumps, rocks, sticks, boards. And by far the biggest hit in my yard is the "mud kitchen"--a muddy corner surrounded by stumps where they're allowed to dig to their hearts' content, a stump "table" and "stools," a bench and two boxes which we've configured somewhat like a cabinet/counter, and an old Christmas tree with all the branches cut off to a few inches long on which we hang lots of metal cooking pots, pans, colanders, spoons, and other utensils.

[Meyou]

I have a mud kitchen with pots and pans and a couple of old appliances that don't work anymore.

[cheerfuldom]

can you both posts pics of your mud kitchen? I am sure that I am not the only one that would love to see ideas!

[youretooloud]

How about looking on pinterest? Or Teacher Tom to get ideas?

If I had the space, the first thing I would add would be old tires. (big if I could find them) and Large wooden tree trunks. Or stumps... or whatever they are called.

I might sink some of the tires into the ground, but I'd want some for the kids to move and flip and create with too. I had them years ago when I had a large yard, and the tires were the favorite part of the yard.

[Country Kids]

I have two playhouses-one is a huge one that was gifted to me. Original price was $1300 or $1500 at Costco. The other one is much smaller and probably a little tikes. Then I have a Little tikes Castle and the little tikes jungle gym thing. Has a tube you can rearrange and two slides.

I also have a little slide that has a parrascope thing on the top-Treehouse I believe is what its called. I also have a rocking teetor totter that the little ones play on, then a teetor totter that goes around in a circle. Also, the little tikes play cube.

Then there is the swing set, riding toys, and my find that I bought this weekend. A helicopter teetor totter! I can't wait for the kids to see it tomorrow! They will have a blast on it.

I also have a mud kitchen. I have an old wooden chest that holds all the kitchen stuff. A small shoe shelve that has three shelves that is the stove. A huge metal pot for holding dirt, dead flowers, weedes, etc. Then the sandbox has been turned into a dirt holder. Last but not least I have four laundry soap containers that have the push buttons on them that hold the water. The kids will play with those for hours!

Next weekend, I'm painting a wall of my shed with chalkboard paint and also the top of the kids picnic table, along with the benches. I so can't wait to do this. It should be so much fun!

[Meyou]

My dh made it for me from old scrap wood.

[melskids]

I have the typical swingset and climber, and all the outside "toys".

I have one playhouse and a teepee the kids made themselves.

My hubby gave me a sluice (sp?) pipe and we use that as a tunnel.

I have a pretty big sand pit (it's the favorite area), mud kitchen, a water table and water wall, a music area, art area, a book nook, science/nature table, bubble station, and TONS of loose parts....tree stumps, tires, plastic tiles, pinecones, wood scraps, seashells, sticks and stones, and those gem things you decorate flower vases with. (those are THE favorite. the kids hide them in the sand.)

They also tend to drag out dress up clothes, the dramatic play stuff, and most of the block area. I'm ok with that...I figure anything we can do inside, we can do outside as well.

We have some raised beds for veggies, sunflowers, and an herb garden as well.

[cheerfuldom]

I have the typical swingset and climber, and all the outside "toys".

I have one playhouse and a teepee the kids made themselves.

My hubby gave me a sluice (sp?) pipe and we use that as a tunnel.

I have a pretty big sand pit (it's the favorite area), mud kitchen, a water table and water wall, a music area, art area, a book nook, science/nature table, bubble station, and TONS of loose parts....tree stumps, tires, plastic tiles, pinecones, wood scraps, seashells, sticks and stones, and those gem things you decorate flower vases with. (those are THE favorite. the kids hide them in the sand.)

They also tend to drag out dress up clothes, the dramatic play stuff, and most of the block area. I'm ok with that...I figure anything we can do inside, we can do outside as well.

We have some raised beds for veggies, sunflowers, and an herb garden as well.

I'd love to see pics

[cheerfuldom]

My dh made it for me from old scrap wood.

Now that looks like fun!!!! Adding to the honey-do list

[KDC]

We have a little tikes jumpy house that I can put up on nice days. The kids LOVE it. I have a limit of 4 in at a time, so they rotate in and out... but it's pretty hands off once it's up. (You're kids can use the BIG jumpy jump...trampoline), little kids must use the Bounce house? The pain is to put it up and down (can't just stay in yard). Also, the kids love it so much it's constantly on their mind... jumpy jump? Jumpy Jump? JUMPY JUMP? Where's the JUMPY JUMP?? LOL! I'm glad it makes them happy