How to Make Your Backyard Sensory Heaven for Children

It is important for children to develop and experience all their senses early on in life. It is also important for children to play outside and engage in physical activity. So why not kill two birds with one stone by integrating outdoor and sensory play activities? We have three fun and exciting features you can add to your backyard which allows children to get the most out of playing outside.

Rope and Bucket Pulley

Children love the feeling of accomplishment. The rope and pulley system is the perfect way for them to express this feeling. Children also get to work on their gross motor skills by filling the bucket, raising it up, dropping it down, and getting to empty its contents. This fun addition adds repetitive entertainment to your backyard and keeps children occupied for hours.

To create a rope and bucket pulley, you simply tie a rope to the handle of the bucket and possibly tie a few knots on the end of the rope for children to grab ahold of. Once the knots are tied, find an open spot on the beam where the swings are. Then throw the rope over the beam which holds the swings. Pull the excess cord until the bucket can sit flat on the ground. Make sure you have some fun things to fill the bucket with! Foam building blocks or a cut up pool noodle work great.

Tire Swing

Break up the action on your play set by adding a tire swing into the mix. Tire swings are a great way for children to experience a different kind of swinging. Tire swings allow kids to sit high, hold tight, and pump their legs a little harder to get the tire swing in motion. These actions allow children’s gross motor skills to take flight by strengthening their little muscles and allowing them to have a lot of fun at the same time.

Attaching a tire swing to your play set is made simple with our three chain tire swing. Our chains are coated in soft plastisol, which prevent fingers from being hurt and the chains from rusting. If you choose to build your own, make sure you purchase the correct hardware to go with your recycled tire.

Tightrope

There are many muscles that get strengthened by a tightrope. Tightropes are a great way for children to strengthen their arms and legs, practice their balance, strengthen their core, enhance their climbing skills, and coordination.

To create a tightrope in your backyard, locate two trees that are six feet or more apart from each other and are suitable for a tightrope. You can also make your own anchors by installing wooden poles in your backyard. Take one piece of rope and wrap it around the one tree trunk or pole multiple times just a few inches off the ground. Tie a knot and repeat on the other end. Make sure there is no slack in the rope as you tie it. Repeat the same steps with the second pieces of rope. Space the second piece a few feet above the bottom rope keeping tiny people in mind. This second rope will provide upper body support for the children as they balance and maneuver across their new contraption.

This fall is a great time to give children the experience of strengthening their gross motor skills with these play set additions. Keep them entertained and engaged in outdoor play for hours with the pulley, tire swing, and tight rope. For more tips on how to make your swing set more appealing, visit our blog discussing the types of swings to add to your swing set!