The only way for a family to get closer is to spend more time together. That’s challenging for many people because everyone is busy with work, school, and sports. You have to make the most out of every hour that your family members spend at home, and creating the perfect backyard oasis for your family is one way to bring your family closer together.
Also Read: Decorate your home with plants.
Assess Your Family’s Needs and Wants
It might seem like you have little free time between cooking, cleaning, homework, and chores, but plenty of evidence shows kids want to spend more time together as a family. In fact, according to a survey by OnePoll, 73% of kids want more opportunities to bond with their parents.
When you create the right spaces in your backyard, doing things together as a family is easier. Ask your family members how they want to spend more time together, and then find ways to create spaces in your backyard to do that.
Cook Your Meals in an Outdoor Kitchen
With an outdoor kitchen in your backyard, spending time together as a family is easier. Since you’re already spending time cooking and cleaning the kitchen, why not do it outside, where your kids will be more likely to join you?
The average American family spends less than an hour of quality time together each day. With an outdoor kitchen that’s properly equipped with all the amenities, cooking is easier, and you’re more likely to do it together.
Put your kitchen next to a swingset or sandbox, and your kids will be right there to join you. They can sit at the counter while you cook if they are old enough to have homework.
With the right planning, your outdoor kitchen will be the heart of your backyard oasis. Professional deck builders can help you design and build a space that meets your needs and is easy to use.
Rely on their expertise to help you decide what to include in your outdoor kitchen, whether it’s built-in grills, pizza ovens, fridges, or dishwashers, so that you can benefit most from your investment.
Dining Al Fresco With Your Family
There’s a common saying that “the family that eats together stays together,” and making a space in your backyard for dining can make eating together more enjoyable for everyone.
You can use your outdoor dining area regularly or turn your al fresco dining experiences into special events. With the proper setup, you can dine outdoors all year round, making life a bit more adventurous and exciting for your family.
Play Board Games and Video Games Outside
Outdoor living rooms are the perfect place to play board games as a family. Or, if you and your kids are more inclined to play video games together, you can install an outdoor television on your deck.
Add a roof, and turn your deck into an outdoor living room by choosing a comfortable furniture set and incorporating storage solutions into your design. With fans, outdoor televisions, sound systems, and creative lighting for outdoor, outdoor living rooms are the most effective way to lure even the most reclusive children out of their rooms.
Exercising As a Family
It doesn’t take a lot of space to start exercising as a family in the backyard, and you can build the perfect outdoor home gym to get an enhanced experience. Include a spot to get out of the sun, lights for working out after dark, and storage space for mats and dumbells.
Make the home gym in your backyard as rustic or as fancy as you want, and include features like a pull-up bar or a small climbing wall. Covered or uncovered, you can easily make a DIY home gym that everyone in the family wants to be a part of, and you’ll save money on gym memberships.
Create Private Areas
Everyone needs privacy occasionally, and it can be hard to get away if you have a large family or cramped indoor living quarters. Even your kids will benefit from finding a secluded space in the yard to take some quiet time.
Choose landscaping features that create private areas, like living walls or bamboo privacy screens. A small pergola with curtains can be a great place for a day bed or a cozy sofa, and adding a water feature makes your private area the perfect spot to relax or meditate.
Gardening as a Family
Gardening can create a good environment for your family. Gardening as a family is a great way to spend more time together. Kids are naturally inclined to enjoy learning about nature, and gardening is the perfect way to instill values like patience, responsibility, and problem-solving. It will also give them a sense of accomplishment, which is important for building self-esteem.
Let your kids help plan the vegetable garden, or better yet, give them their own plot to tend. Choose easy-to-grow vegetables like radishes, peas, and carrots; when it’s time to harvest, you can cook them in your outdoor kitchen to celebrate.
Spend Quality Time in Your Own Backyard
Spending time together as a family doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, but it’s easier to do when your backyard is designed to bring your family closer.
Create spaces that allow you and your children to do what you love together, and it will be easy to find the time.
