10 Backyard Additions for Active (and Not-So-Active) Kids
Encouraging kids to go outdoors and get their daily dose of exercise is child's play with these areas designed for fun and physical activity
Are your youngsters more likely to be found outside playing sports or games or are they usually camped out indoors in front of the TV or computer, or with a tablet or portable gaming console clasped in their hands? While doing regular physical activity offers loads of health benefits for kids, like many adults they don’t always clock enough time doing things that get their heart pumping and muscles working. According to the 2014 Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card, only 19 per cent of Australian kids and teens between the ages of five and 17 do the recommended amount of physical activity every day. The report advises that little ones aged between one and five should be active for around three hours a day, while older kids and teens should do at least 60 minutes of moderate (such as going for a walk or riding a bike) or vigorous (playing a sport or running – anything that will get them huffing and puffing) physical activity daily. The latter age group should also do bone- and muscle-strengthening exercises (such as swimming or gymnastics, climbing, tennis or sit-ups and push-ups) at least three times per week.
There are endless health benefits for youngsters and teens who keep active. As well as boosting general fitness, regular exercise will improve bone and muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, posture and balance. It also helps kids become more confident, focused and motivated, and less stressed and anxious to boot. Daily physical activity prevents the onset of conditions such as childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease, too.
Whether your kids love playing and running around outdoors, or need some motivation to get them out of the house and moving, these 10 backyard additions will do the encouraging for you.
There are endless health benefits for youngsters and teens who keep active. As well as boosting general fitness, regular exercise will improve bone and muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, posture and balance. It also helps kids become more confident, focused and motivated, and less stressed and anxious to boot. Daily physical activity prevents the onset of conditions such as childhood obesity, diabetes and heart disease, too.
Whether your kids love playing and running around outdoors, or need some motivation to get them out of the house and moving, these 10 backyard additions will do the encouraging for you.
2. An outdoor gym
A backyard set-up like this one could be ideal for older teens who enjoy keeping fit but don’t want to work out at a gym – exercising on their own or in the outdoors can make them feel far less self-conscious. If they’re not too keen on taking up boxing, there’s plenty of other equipment you could install in an outdoor exercise space instead: even a sit-up bench or body pull, chin-up and push-up bars will encourage exercise. Add a skipping rope, light weights and a fitness ball for variety.
More: Work It Out: Plan a Home Gym No Matter the Space
A backyard set-up like this one could be ideal for older teens who enjoy keeping fit but don’t want to work out at a gym – exercising on their own or in the outdoors can make them feel far less self-conscious. If they’re not too keen on taking up boxing, there’s plenty of other equipment you could install in an outdoor exercise space instead: even a sit-up bench or body pull, chin-up and push-up bars will encourage exercise. Add a skipping rope, light weights and a fitness ball for variety.
More: Work It Out: Plan a Home Gym No Matter the Space
3. A solid surface underfoot
If you have younger kids, consider laying down a section of flat, solid flooring (such as concrete, large-format pavers or rubber tiles) in your backyard where they can ride their bikes, trikes, inline skates or scooters away from your driveway and street. Zooming around at speed is much easier on a solid surface than on grass, after all.
If you have younger kids, consider laying down a section of flat, solid flooring (such as concrete, large-format pavers or rubber tiles) in your backyard where they can ride their bikes, trikes, inline skates or scooters away from your driveway and street. Zooming around at speed is much easier on a solid surface than on grass, after all.
4. Soccer nets
Do your children dream of being the next Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill or Mark Schwarzer? if they had a backyard-meets-soccer field like this one, we’re pretty sure they’d spend a lot of their time outside running drills and mastering their goal kicking skills. If your yard isn’t big enough to accommodate one or two soccer nets, witches hats will do the job just fine.
Do your children dream of being the next Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill or Mark Schwarzer? if they had a backyard-meets-soccer field like this one, we’re pretty sure they’d spend a lot of their time outside running drills and mastering their goal kicking skills. If your yard isn’t big enough to accommodate one or two soccer nets, witches hats will do the job just fine.
5. A cricket pitch
Now this is a backyard that’s sure to get two big thumbs up from cricket-loving kids … and adults, too. If your child is flying solo for the afternoon, they can spend time working on their bowling skills; or maybe they might like to invite a few friends around so they can develop their batting and fielding skills before finishing up with a friendly game. Not too keen on setting up a permanent cricket pitch in your outdoor space? Don’t worry about marking up or carefully trimming your lawn, just set your kids up with a set of portable cricket stumps (or even a wheelie bin will do!) and they’re good to go.
Now this is a backyard that’s sure to get two big thumbs up from cricket-loving kids … and adults, too. If your child is flying solo for the afternoon, they can spend time working on their bowling skills; or maybe they might like to invite a few friends around so they can develop their batting and fielding skills before finishing up with a friendly game. Not too keen on setting up a permanent cricket pitch in your outdoor space? Don’t worry about marking up or carefully trimming your lawn, just set your kids up with a set of portable cricket stumps (or even a wheelie bin will do!) and they’re good to go.
6. A basketball or netball hoop
Does your child play basketball or netball on the weekend? Attaching a hoop in your backyard or to the wall of your house or garage will encourage them to develop their skills at home while working up a sweat at the same time. And when they’re done practising their lay-ups, three-pointer shots or goal-shooting moves, the whole family can head outdoors for a quick game against each other. The reward for the winning side? They get to sit back while the defeated team has to prepare dinner and clean up afterwards!
Does your child play basketball or netball on the weekend? Attaching a hoop in your backyard or to the wall of your house or garage will encourage them to develop their skills at home while working up a sweat at the same time. And when they’re done practising their lay-ups, three-pointer shots or goal-shooting moves, the whole family can head outdoors for a quick game against each other. The reward for the winning side? They get to sit back while the defeated team has to prepare dinner and clean up afterwards!
7. A climbing wall
If your youngster is energetic, fearless and a bit of an adventurer, then we’re fairly confident a climbing wall like this one would keep them entertained. Rubber mats line the ground by the climbing wall to cushion a fall if they take a tumble.
More: Fun Houzz: Could You Get to Grips With a Climbing Wall?
If your youngster is energetic, fearless and a bit of an adventurer, then we’re fairly confident a climbing wall like this one would keep them entertained. Rubber mats line the ground by the climbing wall to cushion a fall if they take a tumble.
More: Fun Houzz: Could You Get to Grips With a Climbing Wall?
8. A trampoline
Sure, kids get a kick out of jumping on a trampoline, but little do they know that the bouncing motion is good for their body and mind, too. This fun, physical activity not only provides a good cardio workout for youngsters, it also builds and strengthens leg muscles and improves balance, coordination and flexibility, too. If you’re not too concerned about how a trampoline will look in your yard, an above-ground design like this will do. Otherwise, opt for a more discreet in-ground design that sits flush with your grass instead.
More: How to Keep Kids Entertained During the School Holidays
Sure, kids get a kick out of jumping on a trampoline, but little do they know that the bouncing motion is good for their body and mind, too. This fun, physical activity not only provides a good cardio workout for youngsters, it also builds and strengthens leg muscles and improves balance, coordination and flexibility, too. If you’re not too concerned about how a trampoline will look in your yard, an above-ground design like this will do. Otherwise, opt for a more discreet in-ground design that sits flush with your grass instead.
More: How to Keep Kids Entertained During the School Holidays
9. Play equipment
Jungle gyms aren’t just for play – they’re designed to get kids moving, to stimulate their senses and imagination, and to encourage them to be more social, too. If your backyard (or budget) is not large enough to accommodate a fully decked out playground like the impressive set-up shown here, a basic swing set with a swing, slide and trapeze will still ensure your child enjoys plenty of energetic play and physical activity outdoors.
Jungle gyms aren’t just for play – they’re designed to get kids moving, to stimulate their senses and imagination, and to encourage them to be more social, too. If your backyard (or budget) is not large enough to accommodate a fully decked out playground like the impressive set-up shown here, a basic swing set with a swing, slide and trapeze will still ensure your child enjoys plenty of energetic play and physical activity outdoors.
10. A pool
There aren’t many families who don’t enjoy swimming and horsing around in the water – is it time to think about splashing out on a pool? We all know the health benefits swimming offers – it’s a low-impact activity that gets the blood pumping, builds endurance and helps tone and build muscles. And, of course, many kids enjoy swimming because it’s fun and refreshing – convincing them to get out of the pool might be a challenge, however.
There aren’t many families who don’t enjoy swimming and horsing around in the water – is it time to think about splashing out on a pool? We all know the health benefits swimming offers – it’s a low-impact activity that gets the blood pumping, builds endurance and helps tone and build muscles. And, of course, many kids enjoy swimming because it’s fun and refreshing – convincing them to get out of the pool might be a challenge, however.
11. Plenty of grass to run around
Sometimes all you need to entice youngsters outdoors to play is a large expanse of soft, green, ouch-free grass. Given the right setting, kids of all ages will run around and play tag, frisbee, catch, stuck-in-the-mud, touch footy and a whole host of other energetic games and activities. Keep a storage box filled with toys and equipment (such as balls, skipping ropes, hula hoops and water soakers) in your backyard to keep your kids entertained (and active!). If they still want to stay indoors, set limits on screen time or invite a friend over to play – adding more children to the mix is sometimes the best way to get yours outside and moving.
TELL US
We’d love to hear how you encourage your children to be more active. Share your ideas and backyard photos in the comments section.
MORE
10 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Kids’ Adventure Zone
Discovery Gardens: 15 Ideas to Let Kids’ Imaginations Run Wild
Child’s Play: How to Make a Kid-Friendly Garden Look Good
Eco-Friendly Kids: Inspire Your Children With the Wonders of Nature
Sometimes all you need to entice youngsters outdoors to play is a large expanse of soft, green, ouch-free grass. Given the right setting, kids of all ages will run around and play tag, frisbee, catch, stuck-in-the-mud, touch footy and a whole host of other energetic games and activities. Keep a storage box filled with toys and equipment (such as balls, skipping ropes, hula hoops and water soakers) in your backyard to keep your kids entertained (and active!). If they still want to stay indoors, set limits on screen time or invite a friend over to play – adding more children to the mix is sometimes the best way to get yours outside and moving.
TELL US
We’d love to hear how you encourage your children to be more active. Share your ideas and backyard photos in the comments section.
MORE
10 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Kids’ Adventure Zone
Discovery Gardens: 15 Ideas to Let Kids’ Imaginations Run Wild
Child’s Play: How to Make a Kid-Friendly Garden Look Good
Eco-Friendly Kids: Inspire Your Children With the Wonders of Nature
Any activity that involves speed and height is guaranteed to please, and a flying fox goes a step beyond the typical swingset. String one up between two trees, erect two posts (one higher than the other) and set them with cement, or build a more elaborate play house like this one and let them run wild. You can be sure that when it’s time to come in for dinner, they’ll be physically tuckered out – a restful night’s sleep is sure to follow.