Have You Ventured Outside Your Home Lately?

Summer time means more time outdoors for most of us, and especially for children. If you find yourself spending more time outside your home in the month of July, you are not alone, given that it is officially Park and Recreation month.

While you may enjoy visiting the parks near your home, this is also a good time to peek outside and see how your backyard measures up on the play scale. Whether you have a sandbox, a clubhouse, a swing set, or none of the above, you can do a lot to ensure that your backyard can still be a nice place to relax and have fun.

Contrary to popular belief, swing sets are not just for kids. A wide variety of cushioned and shaded swings are available to enhance your surroundings and give you a place to relax and enjoy your view from your backyard or porch, depending on your landscaping or “play” space. Benches work well for this, too, if you prefer less movement. The underlying object is to take time to enjoy some of the simpler, quiet times that the outdoor areas of your home can offer.

If you would like to add a feature such as a swing to your decor, you have many options. You can take the DIY route with a kit or eclectic swing directions found online or pick up the item of your choice from a local retailer. No matter which avenue you choose, be sure to check the materials for solid workmanship and quality. Sun, water and wind damage can make short work of your outdoor addition otherwise, and you need to ensure safety along with beauty on your property.

Consider asking for help from friends or family members, both in evaluating and later in building or enjoying your outdoor area. When evaluating how to make your “play” space more attractive, consider how it is used and who uses it. You may want to also think about location in terms of how the view will be from inside your home. If you have children, it’s always best to be able to view them at play from a window inside your home and what you see could make you smile, too.

To learn more information about keeping your home “play” space safe, consider reading about playground hazards from America’s Backyard, a publication produced by the National Recreation and Park Association. The brochure has general playground safety tips on keeping your loved ones safe, whether in a private place, like your home or in a public open space. Regardless of where you spend your outdoor time, remember to enjoy it and stay safe!

Other things you can do...