Beautiful weather outdoors means a lot of time for you and the kids out in the yard. After what always feels like an endless winter its nice to be able to run, stretch your legs, swing, jump, shout, and play. And then the kids want to join in too… But really, once the cold has finally passed its time to plant new flowers, start a garden, and brew some iced tea for lounging outdoors enjoying the beauty of spring. Beyond simply mulching the flower beds there are some things you can do to make your yard kid friendly for springtime play.
How to Make Your Yard Kid Friendly For Spring
Get rid of piles of brush, mow or use your weed eater on any tall areas of grass. Besides just mowing make sure you check behind sheds, near your AC unit, around playhouses, and swing sets. This is not only an invitation for snakes but is a prime breeding area for mosquitos as well especially if your yard stays damp in the rain season. Check for ant hills and wasps nests, get rid of them and any trace of them so they don’t return- preferably naturally.
Spray outdoor toys like; playhouses, picnic tables, and chairs with cleaner, allow it to sit for 10 minutes to loosen dirt and mold that have built up throughout the winter, rinse well with the hose. Alternatively a pressure washer is a great way to clean and freshen most large toys in your yard. Some items might need an extra scrubbing with a brush and a longer sit time with cleaner on them. Place them in shady spots, mulch some areas for play, mulch is great under swing sets and beneath shady trees.
Check outdoor equipment thoroughly for loose screws, rusted springs, rotted wood, and sharp exposed metal pieces. Swings, slides, and trampolines especially can rust throughout the winter, leaving loose screws and other dangerous surfaces exposed to tender hands and feet. Air up balls, and bicycle tires. Check bike chains for poor condition, skateboards for loose decks, and skates for good repair.
If you have a sand box its time to de-winterize it. Empty out old sand from last spring, give it and all your sand toys a good scrubbing. Refill with a fresh bag or two of play sand, the price of replacing it every year is worth the benefits of fresh clean sand for the season. Buy a larger container of cinnamon and work the entire thing right into your fresh sand to ward off bugs.
Make sure to lock up all chemicals used for yard maintenance, car repair, and gardening. Curious kids are quite skilled at getting into cans and bottles even if they are “child” proofed. Designate a locked cabinet in your shed or garage for these items to be kept.
I also like to restock our supply bubbles, sidewalk chalk, bug spray, and sunblock at the beginning of spring to make sure we don’t run out!
More Spring Activities for Kids
Backyard Bird Watching with Kids
Outdoor Spring Activities for Kids
20 Kid-Friendly Earth Day Activities
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