Backyards and outdoor spaces are being used more intentionally than ever, and for good reason. Instead of sitting unused, gardens and outdoor spaces can become an extension of daily family life. This is especially important for children, as it offers them a space to move, explore, and unwind.
In a world where screens are always within reach, it’s no surprise that many parents struggle to pry their kids away from their devices. Research shows kids are spending too much time on screens and too little time outside. However, with just a few simple changes, your outdoor space can become the kind of screen-free place kids want to spend time in.
Think shady corners to relax, loose parts to build with, or a quiet nook for daydreaming. These small touches can help spark creativity, invite movement, and make time outdoors feel just as engaging as time spent in front of a screen (if not more so).
Here are five easy ways to turn your backyard into a screen-free oasis that supports play, rest, and real-world discovery.
1. Create Multi-Purpose Zones for Daily Play
You don’t need a huge backyard to make this work. Using small pockets of space, you can create areas for different types of play – think movement, building, pretending, or relaxing.
Cubby houses or a small fort can become a launch pad for imaginative adventures. A shaded corner with cushions might become the go-to spot for quiet time or reading.
The key is to keep things flexible. Use movable items, such as logs, crates, or mats, so kids can change the layout as their play evolves. It doesn’t have to look perfect, just purposeful.
2. Set Up a Nature Tools and Texture Station
Nature is the best kind of sensory play, and it’s free!
Create a little discovery station using a low table, an old bench, or even a wooden plank across a couple of tree stumps. Add baskets, trays or bowls where kids can sort seed pods, feathers, bark, leaves or rocks they’ve collected.
You could also include magnifying glasses, wooden spoons, paintbrushes or small jars for water play. Rotate the materials every week or two to keep it interesting.
This kind of space sparks curiosity and helps kids slow down and really see what’s around them.
3. Build a Quiet Corner for Observation
Even the most active kids need downtime. A quiet corner in the garden provides them with a place to recharge.
Pop a bench under a shady tree, lay down a soft mat on the grass, or add a low stone seat beside a flower bed. Gentle movement, such as swaying plants or wind chimes, can really add a sense of calm.
In this quiet corner, your kids might enjoy birdwatching, lying back and listening to the sounds of nature, or sitting under a tree and looking up at the leaves blowing in the wind.
For kids who struggle to switch off, this kind of restful space can work wonders.
4. Offer Loose Parts for Open-Ended Play
Loose parts and items, such as ropes, fabric scraps, timber offcuts, buckets, or crates, are brilliant for encouraging imaginative play. Set aside a simple area with a mat, pallet or decked corner as a base. Store the materials in tubs, bags or baskets so they’re easy to grab and tidy away.
There’s no set outcome, which is the beauty of it. Today, they might build a fort. Tomorrow, a pretend café. The day after, a race course for toy cars. You’ll be amazed at how long they’ll stay engaged when the materials don’t do all the talking.
5. Reflect the Seasons with Small Changes
Nature constantly shifts, and your backyard can reflect that too. Set up a small seasonal corner using leaves, stones, sticks or flowers that change throughout the year. Spring might mean blossoms and bees. Autumn brings crunchier textures and warmer tones.
By connecting outdoor play to the changing seasons, you help kids stay tuned in to the natural world. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. Even positioning a cubby near a garden bed or sandpit can subtly link daily play to nature’s rhythms.
Screen-Free Tips for Parents: Keep It Simple and Let Kids Lead
You don’t need to design the perfect backyard. What matters most is that it’s usable, inviting, and open to change.
Start with a few core elements:
- Somewhere to dig or build (like a patch of dirt or sand)
- A small structure or fort
- A collection of tools, textures, or toys
- Room to move freely
Mud kitchens made from old shelves, crates or tables are great fun too. Add some kitchen utensils and watch the “mud pies” roll in. Just let the space grow and adapt with your child’s interests.
There are numerous family-friendly outdoor items available on the market that can blend seamlessly into garden spaces and evolve as your child’s play style changes. Just be sure to allow enough space between elements so kids can move, explore and rest without the area feeling crowded or overly structured.
Why Screen-Free Spaces Matter
Screens have their place, but constant digital stimulation can interrupt focus, creativity, and physical movement.
An outdoor space that invites unstructured play, exploration, and moments of calm supports deeper learning and stronger emotional regulation. It helps children connect not just with the world around them, but with themselves.
With a few thoughtful tweaks, your backyard can become more than just a play area. It can be a place where kids grow, create, unwind and connect, every single day.
