3 Things to Add to Your Playset to Invite Imaginative Play
Our girls have been asking for a swing set for years. After doing quite a bit of shopping around we finally decided to go for it. Our yard is not huge so we wanted a swing set that our girls would not quickly grow out of but that also fit our space. I came across Backyard Discovery and was really impressed with the variety of playsets they carried in different sizes and configurations. Our girls had given us their playset “wish list” which included a rock wall, swings, slide and a playhouse. I wasn’t sure we would be able to pull it off in a way that didn’t take over our yard but as I started browsing Backyard Discovery, I came across the Canyon Creek playset and immediately knew it was everything we were looking for.
We were able to bring in some fill to level the ground and build a wooden boarder in an afternoon. The swing set itself took around 6 hours to assemble and then we spread cedar chips to fill the area. It was definitely a full weekend but we got it done! Once it was up our girls were beyond excited to start playing! We were really impressed with the quality and ease of construction. It turned out beautifully and I would 100% recommend this swing set to anyone looking.
The highlight for my youngest was the kitchen area in the bottom of the play house. This swing was never intended to just be a place for our girls to burn off their extra energy but we wanted it to be a place where their imaginations could also come to life. I wanted to share three things we added to our playset to invite our girls into a world of imaginative play. All you need are a few plastic bins and some things you likely have around your house already or can easily grab from your local Target, Walmart or grab on Amazon.
1. Pretend food- I filled a plastic bin with some picnic/kitchen essentials for our girls to play with in the playhouse. If you plan to keep the bin outside I recommend sticking with plastic food that is easy to wipe down. If you want to keep things cheap and simple you can also save old boxes (think mac & cheese, snack boxes, etc.) and tape them up for kids to play with and just replace them as needed. Even if you choose a playset that doesn’t have a kitchen like ours, kids can still play picnic or house with the food. It’s a fantastic way to spark creative play!
2. Chalk- When we were assembling our Canyon Creek set I actually didn’t realize it came with a chalk board. I was so excited for such a fun detail and my art loving 7 yr old was thrilled. Adding a bin with chalk is a great way to get kids creativity flowing outdoors. If the model you purchase doesn’t come with a chalk board It’s an easy addition to make to your playset and adds a ton of fun. You can find chalkboards and chalk sets here.
3. Blankets and pillows- It’s such a simple addition but it’s by far my girls most used playhouse toy. They love pretending to have sleepovers and always set up beds to play house. You can order an inexpensive toddler pillow that will fit in the small plastic bin and add in an old blanket or two or purchase a small throw to keep in the playset. My girls usually end up bringing some stuffed animals or baby dolls out and tuck them all in if they aren’t playing house with each other. It’s amazing how long a blanket and pillow can keep them occupied!
I hope a few of these easy additions will help make your kids playset even more magical. If you are currently in the market for a playscape I would definitely recommend checking out Backyard Discovery. We have been beyond happy with ours and they have such a huge selection of playsets from small to large. I am sure you will find exactly what your looking for! Thanks for reading!
Xo,
Kel
