Getting outside with your baby or toddler is a great way to spend your time together. However, we know it can be challenging to leave the house with a young one in tow, especially if you have other kids and pets. This is why having a baby-friendly backyard can help make your life easier as a parent. This article will breakdown a few ways that we recommend making your backyard fun and safe for your baby or toddler. 

Safety Modifications for a Baby-Friendly Backyard

When it comes to making your backyard baby-friendly, you’ll first want to consider some safety precautions. If you are a homeowner, then you have the freedom to modify your backyard in a variety of ways to help make it more safe for your baby. Here are a few of our top recommendations. 

Incorporate Lots of Shade and Soft Surfaces

Having a shady area to play with your baby is always a great idea because this can increase your outside time without the need for worrying about excess sun exposure. Plant some large trees for natural shade or install an outdoor umbrella. You’ll also want to ensure that your backyard offers some soft surfaces for your baby to play on such as grass or sand. 

Pay Attention to the Deck Materials

If your backyard features a deck space then you’ll want to be aware of the flooring material. Make sure any wood decks are sanded down to avoid splintering and be aware that some concrete materials can get slippery when wet. 

Be Aware of Stinging Insects

You’ll want to pay attention to any stinging insects such as bees and wasps that may populate your backyard. Although these insects can be harmless and may even be beneficial to the plants in your yard, you’ll want to make sure that your baby stays away from them to avoid being stung. If you notice an excess of wasp nests around your yard, you may want to think about taking care of these, to minimize the amount of stinging insects in your yard. Watch out for any ant piles as well and make sure your baby doesn’t play in or near them. 

Plant Kid Friendly Foliage

Ensure that you don’t have any poisonous plants growing in your yard. Research any plant species to make sure they are safe for children before planting anything new. We also recommend installing plants that attract harmless insects such as butterflies and moths. 

Get Some Soft, Lounge Furniture 

Having a soft and comfortable place to sit and relax with your baby is always a plus, especially when your baby is young. Think about incorporating some soft lounge furniture in your backyard to give yourself and your baby a safe place to sit and enjoy the fresh air.

Backyard Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Once you’ve made sure your backyard is safe for your baby, you may want to think about incorporating some fun activities to keep your baby busy and happy. Here are a few simple outdoor activities that will keep your baby busy and happy. 

Get a Sandbox

A sandbox serves as the perfect sensory activity for babies of all ages. Sandboxes are incredibly entertaining and even educational for babies and they offer a soft, safe place for babies to relax. Install your sandbox in a shady area to keep your baby comfortable and add in some shovels, toys, and a sifter to help keep your baby entertained.

Play with Water

Water toys are a fun activity for just about any baby. There are a variety of backyard-friendly water toys that will keep your baby happy and amused. Water tables are a great option because they give your baby a place to practice scooping water between different containers and they offer a place to splash around on a hot day. Or you can opt for a splash pad for your baby to play on because they are safer than a traditional kiddy pool. 

Teach Gardening Skills

Gardening is a valuable life skill that you can easily start introducing to your baby. Don’t be afraid to let your baby or toddler get a little dirty. Give them some small pots, a shovel and some dirt to practice some basic gardening skills. You can also get some seeds and plant them with your baby. This offers the perfect opportunity to show them how to water the seeds and they will be so excited to see their seeds start to sprout. 

Install a Kid Table or Play House

If you have a spacious yard, installing a play house and/or kid table is always a great idea. A kid table can give your little one an outdoor area to eat lunch and do crafts. Giving toddlers their own designated seating area can make it easier to get kids to sit still in one area when having meals and relaxing in the backyard. Playhouses are also a lot of fun for kids and provide a shady, spacious area where kids can engage in imaginative play. 

Give Them Space to Explore

By having a baby-friendly yard, you can allow your toddler or baby to roam around a bit without having to worry about them getting hurt. Ultimately, allowing your baby with plenty of space to roam around will be incredibly beneficial for them. Look into fencing your backyard to make it even safer for your child. If your backyard features a pool, you’ll want to make sure that the pool is fenced off and covered in order to keep your child safe. Set up an area where you can sit and relax in your backyard and still have a good view of everything so you can still watch your child to keep them safe. 

Outside time is incredibly beneficial for babies and parents. Taking some time to make your backyard baby-friendly is something you likely will not regret. First, ensure that your backyard is safe by ensuring there aren’t any major safety risks. Then, consider some fun, outdoor activities that will keep your baby happy and entertained. 

The Pop N’ Go Playpen is a spacious and safe playpen that can also double as a sunshade.