4 Kid-friendly landscaping ideas
Since we’re going to be talking about kid-friendly landscaping ideas (as you likely gathered from the title of this post), let’s start with a game. Would you rather…
Take your kids/grandkids to a busy public park once a week for their outside time
OR
Have a backyard they can’t wait to play in every day?
There’s nothing quite like that formative childhood experience of scooting down a hot metal slide in the middle of July. Ah, memories… But there’s also nothing quite like the peace of mind that comes from knowing your kids or grandkids have a safe space where they can play, explore nature, and grow—just outside the back door.
We believe landscapes should bring people together, both young and old, and that they should be enjoyed by the whole family. So, in this post, we’re sharing four kid-friendly landscaping ideas. These are elements you can incorporate, in whole or in part, to give the kids (or kids at heart) in your life a space they can’t wait to spend time in.
A lawn for tumbling and playing
Picture it: A warm day, the sun smiling down on you, just a few fluffy white clouds floating by high overhead. A clear, open area with plenty of room to run, but close enough to home that it always feels safe and comfortable. Grass so soft you can run barefoot, and so plush that when you lie down underneath the shade tree to rest, you could almost fall asleep. Almost.
A lawn offers so much to kids and adults alike. From space for games and picnics to backyard camping and sleeping under the stars, there are so many memories to be made here. And a lawn doesn’t have to be big to be fun or functional—it just needs to be thoughtfully designed and maintained. Here are our tips to create the best lawn in the neighborhood, no matter the size:
Enclose it – A common design principle that just makes humans feel good is the idea of an enclosure. People love looking out over flat expanses and seeing trees in the distance. It creates a feeling of both freedom and safety, and you can achieve that feeling in your own backyard by creating an enclosed open space–aka, a lawn surrounded by a border. Fences are often used for this, especially in cases where a lot of privacy is wanted, but we tend to prefer a greener approach. Evergreens add year-round color, structure, and privacy while creating a softer visual than a privacy fence, and incorporating flowering trees or shrubs has added benefits for birds and pollinators. If you’re working with a smaller space, using a half-wall or lower-growing plants can create the same feelings of an enclosed space without making it feel smaller. This also opens your yard up to the surrounding view without your yard feeling like an exposed piece of it.
Fertilize, aerate, and irrigate – You know a lawn can be a fickle thing. One day it’s green and soggy—the next it’s brown and crispy. This is because lawn grasses aren’t the sturdiest of plants, most aren’t native to the conditions they’re planted in, and they’re often not cared for in a way that promotes optimal growth. For a lawn to grow at its best, we recommend proper fertilization, irrigation, aeration, and mowing practices.
- Fertilization is often completed in phases throughout the growing season to give lawn grasses the nutrients they need to grow stronger and fuller, better suppressing weed growth and resisting pest damage. If you’re doing your own fertilization, be sure to follow all instructions carefully to ensure you won’t accidentally damage your lawn!
- Aeration is the process of breaking up—or introducing pockets of air—into the soil. Over time, areas of the landscape can become heavily compacted, making it more difficult for water, air, and nutrients to reach plant roots. This is especially true in areas with heavy foot traffic, like lawns. Aeration creates pockets within the soil that promote stronger, healthier root growth, and it’s one of the easiest ways to help your lawn grow better.
- Proper irrigation can help alleviate issues like a soggy lawn from overwatering, or one that gets brown and crispy on a hot day from underwatering. A smart irrigation system goes a step further by taking the guesswork out of watering.
- Everybody has a hobby—and for some people, it’s mowing. But it’s important not to over-mow. Our experts recommend a minimum mowing length of three inches, and avoiding mowing entirely during periods that are especially hot and dry, if you aren’t using supplemental irrigation.
If traditional lawn grasses aren’t your preference, there are lots of plants that work as great lawn grass alternatives. You’ll have to do some research (or work with a knowledgeable local landscaper) to find something that will work for your unique conditions, but it’s your yard, and you should make the choices that you feel are best for your family.
Patios for quality time and connection
In an age that seems like it’s getting overtaken by 10-second clips, artificial interactions, and increasing screen time, we’re all craving real connection now more than ever—especially with the kids in our lives, who can feel increasingly distant in this digital age. Creating an outdoor space where you can leave the screens inside and spend intentional time together is a great way to bridge the gap and really connect.
Patios are the base of many outdoor living spaces because they’re natural gathering places with endless versatility. Looking for space to unwind and hangout together? Throw some comfortable furniture out there and kick back. Want to spend your evenings laughing together? Add a custom fire pit. Wish you could be outside when the kids are, even when dinner needs to be made? Create an outdoor kitchen and dining area that meets your family’s needs.
However you dress it up, a patio turns your backyard into the place to be, making space for more memories and deeper connections.
Paths and plantings for exploring and learning
Play time is an integral part of being a kid (and, many would argue, being an adult), and it often goes hand-in-hand with exploration and learning. Exploring gives kids a way to grow their courage and confidence, as well as discovering new things and learning in a tactile way. By creating places for exploration and discovery in your own backyard, you can be confident that your kids are safe as they embark on these new adventures.
Paths and plantings are a natural fit for exploration, discovery, and adventure. In the same way an open-yet-enclosed yard creates a feeling of safety, a winding path surrounded by plants creates excitement and intrigue—especially when you can’t quite see what’s around the next bend!
Because plants are constantly growing, coming in and out of bloom, there’s always something new to see. If you choose plants with different scents or textures, kids can explore them with even more senses, creating a full immersive experience you just can’t get from social media.
Plants, when thoughtfully selected and maintained, can also create a great pollinator habitat. This presents opportunities to show kids that (most) bugs aren’t bad guys, but rather important parts of our world, and we don’t need to be afraid of them. What a great lesson to learn young, right?
Bonus: special additions just for them
All of the landscaping elements we’ve mentioned are great for kids, adults, and every age in between. But there are some extra-special elements you can add to your landscape just for the kids in your life:
- A jungle gym, tree swing, or sandbox – these classic playground staples can easily be added to lawns or wooded areas to create even more opportunities for fun.
- A playhouse – whether dressed up or simple, big or small, a playhouse gives kids space for elaborate games of pretend, which builds skills like storytelling, empathy, and creative problem solving.
- A trampoline – for high-energy kids, a trampoline can be a fun addition to the backyard space. In-ground trampolines can be a safer (and, honestly, more attractive) option.
There are so many special additions you can use in your outdoor living space to make it just right for your kids. Involve them in the process, and it will feel even more like their own special place!
When thoughtfully designed and expertly built, outdoor spaces allow us to disconnect from the distractions of the world and connect intentionally with the people around us. By incorporating a variety of elements in your landscape, you create opportunities for a variety of experiences that foster growth and build confidence in a safe atmosphere.
Your backyard isn’t just a place where grass grows—it’s a place where memories are made. We’re here to help you make more of them. With over 30 years of experience in landscape design, construction, and maintenance, our team can help you create a place your family loves spending time in.
