Need Desperate Outdoor Setup Help...Pics

[ammama]

I like the big sandpit idea. Get a fallen log or two to make bridges in it, put in raised beds along the fence, maybe a living willow playhut in one corner

There is a book called "Natural Playscapes" by Rusty Keeler that has some really great ideas for natural playgrounds, if anyone is interested. He has a website too.

[Abigail]

I agree with the others NOT to put in a deck. I would keep the cement the same as it is. I would raise the ground level in the corner and/or pour cement in the corner. Then add a weather-resistant enclosed storage shelf area for the outdoor small toys where you can either place things in buckets or on shelves to have in that corner.

I would move your current sandbox down at least 10 feet. I'm not sure if you have any issues with sand getting all over your cement slab and going inside or not, but I don't like sand much. Personally, I would choose either the sandbox or the sandtable-not both. I like the sand table the best because you can use it for many things and it will not hurt the resell value of your home when you move in a few years. The sandbox frame would become a mini garden which WOULD have a good resell value for your home. I would instead put your current sandbox frame in the back right (outside) corner of your yard but about six inches away from each side of the fence. Then you could install a "walking path" around the sandbox box frame so you wouldn't have a small area of the yard that a lawn mower couldn't get to. I would use colored bricks of your choice so you wouldn't have grass around your new garden area. I'm not sure if your fence is straight across at the end behind all the toys, but if it's not, I would create a smaller and taller garden. Build up a foot so it's not level with the ground and have it be 4 by 4 feet even something small so it becomes a focal point.

You have two pipes along the side of your house. I would create a zone for flowers here so the children can't play in the area. This way you would have gardening up close to your home on the left and a garden far away on the right to balance out the yard. Have the children help, but you pick the area where they can plant it. You could also use the same colored brickes to outline your "flower" area. This would fill in the gap between the fence and cement slab.

[SunflowerMama]

I agree with the others NOT to put in a deck. I would keep the cement the same as it is. I would raise the ground level in the corner and/or pour cement in the corner. Then add a weather-resistant enclosed storage shelf area for the outdoor small toys where you can either place things in buckets or on shelves to have in that corner.

I would move your current sandbox down at least 10 feet. I'm not sure if you have any issues with sand getting all over your cement slab and going inside or not, but I don't like sand much. Personally, I would choose either the sandbox or the sandtable-not both. I like the sand table the best because you can use it for many things and it will not hurt the resell value of your home when you move in a few years. The sandbox frame would become a mini garden which WOULD have a good resell value for your home. I would instead put your current sandbox frame in the back right (outside) corner of your yard but about six inches away from each side of the fence. Then you could install a "walking path" around the sandbox box frame so you wouldn't have a small area of the yard that a lawn mower couldn't get to. I would use colored bricks of your choice so you wouldn't have grass around your new garden area. I'm not sure if your fence is straight across at the end behind all the toys, but if it's not, I would create a smaller and taller garden. Build up a foot so it's not level with the ground and have it be 4 by 4 feet even something small so it becomes a focal point.

You have two pipes along the side of your house. I would create a zone for flowers here so the children can't play in the area. This way you would have gardening up close to your home on the left and a garden far away on the right to balance out the yard. Have the children help, but you pick the area where they can plant it. You could also use the same colored brickes to outline your "flower" area. This would fill in the gap between the fence and cement slab.

I love all these ideas!! I think this is exactly what I may do!! We were having problems with them playing near those poles and a little garden there would completely solve that problem and a garden in the back would be so pretty and in plenty of sun (my fear with the current location of the sandbox frame...no sun). Thank you, thank you!!

[countrymom]

I would leave the concrete where it is. Next to it, I would fill it with pea stones (sure they are a bit expensive but less of a mess) so you can put a house on there for the kids to play with, and they can drive their cars on the cement.
I would move the sand box to the back of the property. I would also hang flowers up so brighten the back yard. Also a picknick table too.

[Childminder]

you could also check out teachertomsblog.blogspot.com

Nice site Mel! Thanks.

I have grass carpet on part of my outside play area approx 20X40 and I LOVE IT! LOVE, love LOVE IT!!!! Easy to care for, water flows through, no mud, no stones or mulch to get in mouths or tracked inside, babies can move around easily, and I love it. I have 12 inches of wood chips under so is a safe fall zone. It is green marine carpet and really looks like grass unless real close, the type used on boats and putting greens so it has a long life in the sun and rain. I got it for about $60 off craigslist from someone that used it once for an outdoor wedding but I have seen it cheap from companies that install on putting greens. Did I mention that I LOVE it?
::

[kendallina]

i cant wait until this summer. we are putting in a natural playscape. well, to the best of our ability, and how far i can make the $$$ stretch. i am going to set up the outside much like an outdoor classroom as well. i cant wait, we are currently under 3 feet of snow

are you def. wanting a deck, or was that just and idea you were tossing around?

if that was my yard, i would leave the slab. i would mulch at least under the climber area, put in a raised veggie/flower bed, and add a HUGE sand pit

check out....
planetearthplayscapes.com

I was just coming in here because I ran across this website today. In particular, I was going to recommend this article:

http://earthplay.net/

[SilverSabre25]

I was just coming in here because I ran across this website today. In particular, I was going to recommend this article:

http://www.planetearthplayscapes.com..._20create.html

do they have any articles about creating one of these playscapes in a relatively small area? I LOVE the concept but I'm not sure my yard has enough room (even though it's not exactly a "tiny" yard, it's smaller than I'd like, )

[countrymom]

I hope this works.

http://www.google.ca/images?um=1&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-ca%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7TSCA&biw=1003&bih=414&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=small+backyard+play+areas&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

now off to get more ideas

[kendallina]

do they have any articles about creating one of these playscapes in a relatively small area? I LOVE the concept but I'm not sure my yard has enough room (even though it's not exactly a "tiny" yard, it's smaller than I'd like, )

Click on Articles on the left. I didn't see anything that specifically addresses small yards, but they have a lot of "20 things you can do..." and there are steps that we can all take.

I have an open, shared yard with my neighbors (townhouse), but there are several things I could do to increase creative, imaginative play. Right now I have a lot of balls, cars, magnifying glasses, wooden balance beam, etc etc. I need to make more of an effort to have sensory and water play available. We also put out some wooden blocks out there. I can't really make an permanent changes, but I know there's so much more I can do... Read the article, "Kids don't need equipment, they need opportunity". Love it!