An outdoor play area will help your children get the fresh air and exercise that is so beneficial to their health and happiness. We have these proven tips to share with you to help you create a fun and safe outdoor play area.


Garden Spacing & Layout 

If possible, locate your outdoor play area away from trees, walls, overhead, power lines and hard ground surfaces. Look out for and address any potential jumping temptations your children might spot, e.g a raised decking area with a hard surface below, or a wall near a trampoline. Remember, children's spatial awareness isn't fully developed and they are prone to miscalculating distances and accidentally taking dangerous risks while playing. Any raised structures of 30inches or more in height, should be placed any least 9ft apart.


Here are some safety rules for the placement of play equipment:

  • It is curtail that there are no overhanging branches or other obstructions anywhere in the vicinity above a trampoline. 
  • Swings should have a ground clearance of at least 200mm. 
  • There should be no access to roads or farms from your outdoor play area. 


Easy & Fun Ideas 

Here are some ideas for what to add to your outdoor play area to inspire your children to play; improving their physical health, imagination and social skills:

  • A blackboard and chalk - paint a piece of MDF with some blackboard paint, mount it to a fence, and cheaply buy some chalks for hours of fun outside. If you have a safe patio area you’re happy for your kids to temporarily decorate, they can also draw on the paving slabs with the chalk.
  • Enjoy the beach at home - there are a range of sand and water pits available at Topline that open up your garden to countless games and activities.
  • Mini kid’s garden - a large pot makes the perfect place for your child to plant and maintain their own mini garden. Help them plant something in the pot and decorate it with pebbles and shells, and teach them how to look after it.
  • A playhouse - the ultimate outdoor toy for playing pretend; invigorating your child’s imagination and helping to develop their social skills.
  • A trampoline - according to NASA, jumping on a trampoline burns 15% more calories than running, therefore helping to battle childhood obesity in a fun and exciting way. There are numerous other health benefits such as helping the lymphatic system, improving motor skills and strengthening muscles, joints and ligaments.
  • Playground equipment - swings, slides, seesaws, roundabouts, and climbing frames provide endless hours of enjoyment.


It is important to supervise children while they play, and to ensure the equipment they are using is suitable for their age. Children of an appropriate age should also be taught the dangers that exist so they can help in your efforts to ensure their safety.


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