Using your patio as a safe outdoor play area

There are many ways in which you can make the most of your patio, but when it comes to your little ones, the best option is to turn it into a safe outdoor play area. This way, the children get to enjoy the fresh air, and you can bask in the sun while keeping an eye on them!
 
Transform your patio into a safe playground in only five steps.
 
Step 1: Fences
To keep your offspring from harm, a fence should be placed around the designated play zone. Be very careful with your choice of fence, as it needs to match a certain criterion:

• Make sure the children cannot climb up, nor crawl under the fence.
• Be sure that the fence itself does not represent a hazard: ensure your children’s little heads and arms cannot get entrapped between posts, and that their little hands cannot use the fence as a hanging platform.
• If your patio is not in an enclosed space, and animals, neighbours and other potential threats are roaming around freely, make sure the fence will keep everyone out and the little ones in.

 
Step 2: Padding
The next step is to line the floor to improve comfort for your little one’s feet and knees, but also to avoid injuries. Find safety mats made of a durable material which can’t be torn or chewed. There are foam tiles available, otherwise using large, thick rugs would work well too.
 
Step 3: Outdoor blinds
If your patio is not covered, it means that the playground will be exposed to weather conditions. Investing in outdoor blinds to protect your progeny’s heads from the harsh summer sun could therefore be a good idea. They would provide shade, reduce UV rays and offer some privacy.
 
Step 4: Extra cautious
If you are unsure whether your brand new play area is secure enough, you can kneel so that you would be the same height as your children and scan the area. Look for any sharp edges and other hazards that you missed while you were standing. You could also add a chest or cupboard to hide toys away while they are not being used.
 
Step 5: Entertainment
Now that you have made this fun zone safe and sound, you need to actually turn it into a play area. You can brainstorm ideas about decoration and entertainment with your children – surely they would love to feel involved in the setting of their new space. You can add colourful cushions, stickers, paintings, and of course their own artwork. As for recreation, if your kids think they need a screen and a video game to have fun, this is your chance to prove them wrong! You do not even have to spend a lot of money on entertainment: recycle plastic bottles and make a water or sand wall, transform an old a bookshelf into a sandbox, or make a little vegetable patch… You can find dozens of cheap DIY ideas online!
 
Now, there is nothing left to do but watch your kids learn, grow and play in their new protected outdoor play area.
 
If you’re now thinking of installing outdoor blinds to your outside space or want to get a patio built to create this perfect area, contact the experts at In Style Patios for a free quote on 0436 007 776. Our design team will work with you to make sure this zone is perfect in every way.