If you have kids, you know that they love spending time outdoors once the weather starts getting warmer.
Whether they're young or old, they'll take any chance they can get to get out of the house and into the fresh air.
If your backyard is currently less than kid friendly and you're looking to make some changes, using these 10 tips as guidelines can help turn your backyard into a kiddie paradise.
1.
First off, if your backyard isn't fenced in - it's something to take into consideration.
Installing a fence not only provides extra privacy, but it gives parents the piece of mind knowing that younger children won't be able to wander off.
If you have pets, it will also give them more freedom in the yard without having to be chained up at all times when they're outdoors.
2.
Adding a sandbox is an easy and fun investment for kids.
Sandboxes teach younger kids necessary motor skills while giving older kids the opportunity to experiment with building and digging.
Choosing items for the yard that grow with your kids will save you time and money down the line.
By choosing a sandbox with a small shelter over top of it, or purchasing a cover for the box, you'll be able to keep it relatively clean, cutting down on the amount of maintenance you'll have to perform.
3.
Adding a picnic table to the backyard may seem extremely simple, but it can provide multiple uses for your entire family.
Kids will have outdoor space to work on projects or homework while the whole family will be able to enjoy the occasional outdoor dinner together.
4.
If you have older kids, allowing them to plant and maintain a small garden in the yard will give them a project that will last throughout the entire summer.
Letting them choose what they'd like to plant and letting them take care of their flowers or vegetables will give them a whole new sense of responsibility.
They'll also be able to show family and friends their progress and have a sense of pride in their project.
5.
Limiting which toys can be played with in the backyard will prevent any expensive toys from getting ruined from rough outdoor play or rain.
Keeping a lockable toy bin on the porch or patio will let your kids know what toys they can keep outside and which ones they can't.
They'll also keep them in a convenient location so kids can easily clean up after themselves.
6.
When landscaping a yard that you know kids will use, stay away from any sharp or dangerous lawn decorations or rocks.
By keeping the backyard as "fall friendly" as you can, you can let kids run around and enjoy themselves without having to worry about an injury happening every time.
7.
Letting kids create decorations for the backyard or porch will provide them with a fun afternoon project while they create some great accent pieces.
Whether you're letting them paint stepping stones for the garden or customize their own birdhouse, personalized touches like these can help kids feel like they've truly made their backyard "their own".
8.
If you have younger kids, making sure that you have a shady area for them to play in during hot summer days is a good idea.
Whether you purchase a small kid sized canopy or choose to go a bigger route by installing something like a gazebo - you'll keep kids protected from the sun's harmful rays while still allowing them to enjoy the fresh summer air.
9.
Buying some simple, fun yard games for kids depending on their age will provide hours of summer fun that parents can also join in on.
Whether it's a bean bag toss game, a wiffleball set, or even sidewalk chalk - you can get older kids out from in front of the TV while younger kids will benefit from the motor skills that these activities will help them develop.
Making an investment like this will be one that you'll be able to enjoy season after season.
10.
Finally, encouraging your kids to play outside is the most important step.
With technology among youth becoming more and more popular - too many parents are letting their kids spend their days indoors playing video or computer games.
By getting kids out of the house and into their family friendly backyard, you'll be creating lasting memories for them.