Playing outdoors is great for kids — it provides exercise, fresh air and the opportunity to develop strong relationships with family and friends through play. However, several studies have shown that kids are playing outdoors less, instead choosing to stay inside staring at screens. Kindergarten is a key time for developing habits that will stick with your kids for many years to come, so encouraging healthy outdoor play is a good idea.

By creating a safe space for your kids to play in, you'll encourage them to have fun without having to worry about them getting hurt. Follow these tips, and soon you'll struggle to get your kids to play indoors at all!

Soft ground covering

We've all heard the ominous wailing of a child who's just fallen over in the playground. Make these inevitable slips and trips less distressing for both you and your child by choosing an appropriate ground covering for your outdoor play area. This doesn't necessarily have to be anything fancy. Plain grass provides a soft surface to break falls, and all you need to maintain it is keep it mowed and watch out for any prickly weeds. If your child has allergies, or grass isn't a viable option where you live, you could choose a soft style of artificial turf, a special type of splinter-free wood chip designed for playgrounds or playground mulch made from recycled rubber. For a small area, you could even purchase large play mats, which can be stored indoors after play.

Play equipment

When it comes to play equipment for your child, the possibilities are almost endless. Try to keep their age in mind when shopping as you don't want to purchase too many expensive toys that they will grow out of. Large items of play equipment like swings and slides are appropriate for children of all ages, depending on the design. You can purchase 'safety swings' while your child is still young, and easily swap them for traditional swings in a few years time. If you're on a budget or working with a small space, simple items like balls, skittles and beanbags can be used to make up all sorts of different games. Trampolines provide good exercise and can be installed along with safety netting to ensure your child will never fall off.

Shade sails

More time outdoors means more time in the sun, which can be damaging, especially to young children who are more prone to heatstroke and sunburn. Keep your little one safe at all times by installing a shade sail over their play area. Often used in schools and kindergartens, a shade sail is a large piece of fabric stretched between several posts, which diffuses the sunlight and protects against harmful UV rays. Using a shade sail means you won't have to worry as much about covering your child in sun cream or persuading them to wear a hat every time you go outside, allowing for more spontaneous play.