Ahoy there! Do your kids love pirates? If the answer's yes, then consider creating a pirate themed play area in your backyard. Themed play areas are a great way to encourage kids to get outside, exercise, and use their imaginations, instead of staying indoors staring at screens.
A made-to-order shade sail will protect your little ones from sun and rain, and create the effect of being inside their very own pirate ship. It doesn't matter if you're miles from a beach—make your own with a sandpit, paddling pool, or ball pit. Add the finishing touch with some piratey play equipment, and your kids will be ready to sail the seven seas.
Set up shade sails
Shade sails are made from a strong, UV-resistant fabric which is suspended between multiple poles. Let your kids pick their favourite colours for the 'sails' of their ship, or pay extra for a custom design. You could go for a classic skull and cross bones on a black background, or design your own pirate coat of arms. Be sure to take into account the position the sail will be in, and make sure your design will be visible.
Build a sandpit
Sandpits allow you to set up loads of exciting games for your kids. Let them build pirate sandcastles, and purchase mini flags, toy swords and parrots as decorations. Sandcastle competitions are great fun and keep children occupied for hours. There's also no tidying up needed—once the fun's over, just rake over the sand ready for the next playtime.
You could also bury 'treasures', like gold coins, and let your kids dig for them. For older kids, bury clues that lead them on a trail around the garden. Store clues on paper in small bottles for a 'message in a bottle effect." Pick a sandpit that's shaped like a rowing boat, and it can double up as a lifeboat when the main ship sinks during imaginative play.
Create a pretend sea
During summer, set up paddling pools to serve as a pretend sea. If that's not practical where you live, or it's too cold, then fill an inflatable paddling pool with play balls in different shades of blue to serve as a choppy ocean. This is a good option for younger kids or those who aren't keen on water.
Purchase themed play equipment
There's outdoor pirate ship play equipment to suit every budget. If you don't want to spend a fortune, choose inflatable pirate ships with slides and cubby holes for climbing in and out. If you'd like a more permanent vessel, pick a wooden pirate ship jungle gym—these can come complete with climbing walls, monkey bars, slides and even a moving ship's wheel. Land ahoy!
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