When you think of kid-friendly backyard, often you think of a large grassy area. Maybe some swing ball set up, a slide and/or a football net.
But in reality, many houses do not have a grassy area in their backyard and are wondering how they can have a kid-friendly backyard without any grass.
Well, in this article, we are going to give you some awesome ideas to make your backyard kid-friendly without a blade of grass!
For anyone just wanting a quick answer, all you need for a kid-friendly backyard is a portion of land that creates a soft landing, an area of shade, and some fun items or activities!
Here are highlights of what we will cover:
- Adding a swing set or play frame
- Creating nature with bird baths or bird feeders
- Growing something
- Having a gazebo or canopy for shade
- Laying a soft surface like artificial turf or rubber mulch.
Let’s discuss this in some more detail:
Ideas for a kid-friendly backyard without grass
1 – Add a soft surface
Grass isn’t the only option to create a kid-friendly backyard, you might just want to have a soft surface for wherever kids play.
Many people choose wood mulch, it is cheap (you can pick up a bag for a handful of dollars at the big box home improvement store).
It’s good for other landscaping in your yard.
However, rubber mulch is arguably better for kids since it’s maintenance-free, springy and soft.
Rubber mulch is made from recycled tires, so it’s also a good reuse of something that might have sat in a landfill.
Plus, it can last ten years!
Rubber mulch will definitely cost more to start. However, since rubber mulch lasts ~10 years, you won’t be replacing it like wood mulch.
One thing people don’t like about rubber mulch is that it is less natural looking.
2 – Have a tree swing or zip line
If you have plenty of big trees you could be the envy of the neighborhood with a tree swing or zip line.
For a zipline between trees, you’re looking at $100 to $200. That’s a great investment considering how much use it will get for all the neighborhood kids.
A tree swing is much cheaper and you can easily get the materials at a hardware store.
3 – Create an outdoor art area for playing with chalk
If your backyard is mostly concrete or paved, the only things you would need to enjoy some great fun with the kids is a pack of outdoor chalk and let them go to town.
And if you don’t want to do it on the ground, you could just as easily make a chalkboard on the wall or fence. Chalkboard paint is pretty affordable!
4 – Watch nature enjoy baths and feeders
If your kids love nature, get them to help create a bird bath or a bird feeder in your backyard.
If you really want to make your yard a sanctuary for wildlife, you can build occthing like:
- bird houses
- bat houses
- squirrel feeders
- hedgehog tunnels
- bug hotels
- and a lot more!
What’s more, many of the above can be or made or found for cheap, so it is a great way to have fun without the cost.
5 – Invest in a play structure
If you have the space, consider adding a play structure or swing set to your yard!
If it is hard underneath (concrete, etc.) you could put rubber matting underneath as well.
Here are some examples of play structures:
- Climbing wall (for smaller areas)
- Fort
- Swing set
- Treehouse
- Monkey bars
- Seesaw
- Slide
- Geometric dome
Prices vary, so it is a good idea to set a budget and shop around.
6 – Create some shade
So, if you’re in a place that has hot sunny summers, it’ll be worth your while to think about creating shade.
Doesn’t matter whether it is a canopy, a pergola, or a gazebo, it’s just important that the kids have some shade to play, eat, or cool down in?
The cost to get a premade pergola is most likely gonna cost you at least $1k.
If you can get your build on, then it is possible to create a similar structure for less!
If you’re not looking to drop a heap of money, a pop-up tent and/or a canopy can also create some shade, and you can use the tent for those beach days too!
7 – Add some playground tiles
If you’ve ever been to a playground with these rubber looking tiles, then you probably know what we’re talking about.
You can actually buy these online and lay them over concrete or pavers to create a safer (and softer) space for kids to play.
If you like the concept of rubber mulch, but don’t want the clean up of it spilling out everywhere, then playground tiles will do the same job.
These are designed to reduce injury on impact from falling. They can be used underneath a swing set, climbing frame, or any other area in your backyard.
You will likely pay more for these tiles than you would for rubber mulch; however, they will last forever and come in every color!
8 – Get a sandbox
Kids of all ages love to dig in sand!
A sandbox is an effective buy for anyone with children over the age of one.
You can buy a made sandbox, or you could build it yourself.
It would also be a good idea to get or create a lid, so animals don’t use it as a litter tray.
If health issues concern you, there are ways to clean sandbox sand!
9 – Grow something
Pretty much all kids love watching things grow!
Whether you choose flowers, veggies, or fruit a garden is a good learning opportunity and teaches kids a variety of skills.
Plus, it comes with the added bonus of a finished product too!
If you don’t have soil a raised bed is a great option. Or you can plant flowers, strawberries, or herbs in pots!
10 – Create a fishpond
This one takes a bit of work and requires supervision. A fishpond is a great way for kids to enjoy the garden.
If digging a fishpond isn’t an option, consider investing in a water feature for a bit of fun and interest.
11 – Get an inflatable
If you have the space to store it, an inflatable watre slide or bounce house is an awesome option for summer!
Kids will have fun, and burn off energy.
Most consumer bounce houses require a sizeable air pump, but the expense is worth it if your kids want to bounce and you don’t want to get something permanent like a trampoline.
Both bounce houses and inflatable water slides are probably going to cost a few hundred dollars – and the entertainment is endless!
12 – Artificial grass
Okay, so one way you can make your yard kid-friendly, and not have any grass, is to buy artificial turf.
If you don’t want grass or can’t have grass, this could be a ticket. The manufacturers have come a long way, and the artificial grass looks pretty damn real to me- and you’ll never have to mow it!
But it is super pricey- even if you don’t need much.
People use artificial grass for a few things. Some people chose to put down artificial grass under a swing set or climbing frame as a soft landing.
13 – Install a splash pad
If you live in a super hot place, a splash pad is the thing for you!
Until recently, you would have only seen them in public playgrounds unless you lived near a portable splash pad!
However, you can actually order a splash pad and have it installed in your backyard! How cool is that!?
A splash pad is a very fun area for water lovers!
That said, they are extremely expensive so you wouldn’t want to install one somewhere if you think you would move again!
14 – Get a pool
Pools are a heckofa lotta fun, and you don’t need any grass for them!
Whether you get an in-ground pool, an above-ground pool, or even just a blow-up pool, doesn’t matter, the fun is the same!
A pool is a great investment.
An in-ground pool will cost you tens of thousands of dollars and you can buy an inflatable pool for as little as $20!
There really is something for every budget where pool choices are concerned.
15 – Create a mud kitchen
Hey, if you have access to some dirt in your backyard and don’t mind a little mess, why not make a mud kitchen for your kids to play in?
It could be as simple as giving them old pots and pans or go all out and find a readymade mud kitchen online.
Kids just love mucking around in mud!
Final thoughts on how to create a kid-friendly backyard without grass
Who knew there were so many kids’ friendly backyard ideas that didn’t require grass!
These fifteen ideas cover a range of kid-friendly fun and every budget.
So whether you want to watch wildlife, dig in sand or splash in water you’ve got lots of choices without any grass!