The Outdoor Toddler

I love the fact that my 2 year-old son enjoys the outdoors. However, I am not so inclined to love it at 7 in the morning. What do you do when your 2 year-old meets you at the door with a sand pail in one hand and a toy truck in the other as soon as the sun comes up? Living in New York, I decided we do not have enough "nice" days to pass up anytime outside so I came up with a way to make the outside bearable. After all this is the place where I set up a temporary residence for the entire summer.

The first thing I did was purchase one of those large outdoor screen tents. This way it not only keeps the sun off of us, but it also still allows for fresh air to come through the sides. The screen tent is great for many reasons. It works well to keep all the unwanted bugs out and since it zips it is easy to contain my son inside. When there is a light rain we can still enjoy the outdoors because we are sheltered by the tent. The tent also provides a little privacy. I live in a neighborhood with lots of other children. Even though the tent just provides a see through screen it is nice to feel like you have your little space amongst so many other families.

Next I took those indoor/outdoor foam mats and laid them down the entire length of the inside of the tent. You know those ABC mats; they come in all colors and style. I used a variation of blue and grey so the floor had a checkered look.

The first thing I did was place a small patio set inside of the tent for myself. This is for my own sanity. The set comes with two comfy chairs and a small table. Here I can enjoy my cappuccino, read, or even use my wireless internet. Next to my own table I placed a small plastic picnic table for my son. After all he needs a place to have his juice and snacks.

In the three remaining corners of the tent I set up different areas for him to play in. One corner has a plastic slide and a basketball hoop. This works great because the basketball never gets too far away. In another corner I have a little sandbox with sand toys. It is no problem if the sand gets on the mats because they can easily be swept off. In the last corner I placed a small plastic toy box. In it we keep all of his outdoor toys; balls, trucks, bubbles, and all that little stuff that you can never seem to find the right spot for.

Next to our little tent play land, on the outside of course, we have his swing set set up. All we have right now is the basic wooden frame and a swing. I did not add all the extras yet because I wanted this play area to be as safe as can be. If I am sitting feeding his younger brother and I cannot get to him right away I want to know he is safe. By not adding all the extras I can limit what he climbs on; and as we know 2 year-olds love to climb. On this wooden frame I have also placed a two person wooden swing. This is great because it gives his younger brother and I a chance to enjoy his swing set with him.

Our entire yard is fenced in, but I have a smaller fence surrounding his pool and water toys. No, this is actually not for a safety reason it is so I can control when he gets wet! Inside this area is little pool, sprinkler beach ball, and a pirate water activity table. He has his own little version of a water park.

The last touch I added to our backyard was a "road" of foam mats (the same ones used inside the tent). These mats lead from our tent to our little fenced in pool area. This is where my son rides his little bike. Being an over protected mother I like this option better than our paved driveway or the road. If he falls he lands on either the foam mats or the grass on the side of them. I am letting him be independent but I still have safety in mind.

As I step back and look at this little play ground I have created I cannot help but feel jealous. I wish I had my own little back yard escape. Perhaps, next year we will add the hot tub and new deck for mom and dad!