When you’re a parent, you’re running between schools, driving to training, cooking meals, and tackling the never-ending laundry pile. In all that beautiful chaos, it’s hard to find time for yourself, let alone to arrange the garden. The garden is a place where you can relax with your favorite drink, host friends, and create beautiful memories with your children.
Creating a family-friendly outdoor space doesn’t need to take your precious time. The right materials, smart organization, and some time in the day/week can make the outdoors easy to maintain and a safe place to relax and play.
In this article, we’ll go over four practical ways to maintain your backyard, keeping it beautiful, but with minimal effort!
Practical ways to maintain your family backyard
Greens and Native Plants
Let’s start with something simple. Plants provide zen moments in your outdoor space. Greenery blends with every landscape because it adds both to the visual department and provides a sense of calm/relaxation. Greenery and plants offer relaxation and freshness in every type of climate. There are a few ways to choose the right plants for your outdoor area.
Depending on the climate, it’s best to choose native plants that are suited for the local soil (pH levels, type, etc.) and the region’s weather conditions. These ‘native’ plant choices will often require less water, plus they’ll be more resistant to pests that scour that area – this means less upkeep, which is a good thing.
If you have enough space, plant a tree; it is great for the summer for shade. Educate yourself about the plants in your area, and this can be an interesting research project with children.
This activity teaches children how to take care of plants and how to be gentle (and in-tune) with nature. Gardening can be so fun and yet so simple.
Select Child-Friendly, Long-lasting Landscaping
Honestly, the second the kids step outside, it’s game on for your backyard. Backyard soccer games, water balloon fights, muddy shoes, etc., on your lawn?
Yeah, it’s just patches and memories. It’s necessary to select low-maintenance materials that are a lifesaver for busy parents.
River rock borders, artificial turf surfaces, and gravel paths are some types of surfaces that can withstand the chaos of kids playing without turning into a wet mess. It’s important they are safe for little ones’ feet, easy to maintain, and clean. The bonus is they look great even after those wild soccer weekend games. Gravel is a brilliant choice because it’s affordable and ideal for play areas and paths that blend in with your entire yard.
Searching for the query ‘gravel delivery near me’ online is a practical way to find local suppliers that offer a wide variety of gravel/stone/rocks. This is an important step in creating the backyard of your dreams without requiring a lot of time to maintain.
Use Multifunctional Furniture
Once the greenery and surfaces have been chosen, the next step is furniture. It’s important to invest in furniture that is practical and serves multiple purposes. The key is to invest in outdoor furniture that is practical and easy to maintain, with multiple purposes. Get furniture made of materials that can withstand all weather.
Folding tables and chairs that are easy to store when not in use can create additional space for play. A bench for sitting that also has a hidden storage space for toys (because toys are everywhere), pillows, and garden tools. Outdoor beds with pull-out trundles can be great for relaxing or an afternoon nap.
Make sure your furniture is practical because let’s be real, there’s already enough clutter inside the house.
Build Play Zone
If your outdoor area has extra space, that means you can add a set of swings, a slide, maybe a seesaw, and many other things. Even a DIY seesaw can bring joy to your kids. You’d be surprised how little it takes for your kids to have a great time. But if you’re a parent already, then you already know this.
You don’t have to build a whole playground for little ones to have fun.
There’s always a simpler and more budget-friendly way. For example, a shady corner can become a sandbox, and a repurposed wooden beam is a perfect balance beam.
There are many ideas online on how to turn materials into a little paradise for children outside. It’s all fun and games for kids, but it also requires low-key maintenance, and you can switch up as kids’ interests change or they grow.
What to Avoid in Your Backyard?
When you have a backyard and want it to be both family-oriented and kids-oriented, you’ll have to think on two fronts, because you don’t want to leave a particular group behind. Avoid materials that are slippery when wet and that can get easily damaged.
Look for low-maintenance, durable options for furniture and landscaping.
The key is to have a fun space, but a safe space where kids can play, while adults can sit and relax. Relaxation means no need to spend extra time fixing or maintaining things.
Conclusion
Not all backyard ideas work well for families. When creating a family-friendly backyard that is easy to care for, even for the busiest parents, choosing durable landscaping, multifunctional furniture, and some simple play zones can save you time and money, and that way, you can enjoy your outdoor paradise.
Less maintenance means more fun time with family.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com
