Thursday, July 23, 2009

My problem areas.... and give away... read til the end!

The past month I have been looking for ways to change some of the aspects of my daycare program. With ideas coming from the daycare training I have been going through, some changes have been made, items have been added, and routines are being tweaked for fall!

Here are 2 places outside that I would consider my "problem areas". They are big fat hairy eye sores and I stare that them every time we play outside! May you can offer up some fun, creative, and most importantly, cheap ideas for these ares!

My first area is under my deck. It is covered with rocks. Some of my thoughts have been to get it concreted so we can ride bikes and trikes and do chalk under here... again, I said I needed cheap ideas here!
My next idea was to make it the world biggest sandbox... which would then translate into the worlds biggest litter box. So, that idea is out! My first idea is not out of the question, I just need to see what the cost is in doing it!


Here is my second problem area. This was supposed to be an addition to the shed. As you can see, it isn't! I use it for when we have snacks outside, read books, and need a place to sit. I want to spruce it up a little and make the area more inviting and not like an after thought!

Anyway... here are my problem areas of the back yard! What do ya think??? What are your ideas??? If you can help me come up with some ideas for this area, I will be giving away some blog gifts!!! So, submit your ideas via comments on this blog, email, or facebook! You just may be the lucky winner!!!!!


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

your second area... put some siding on the top to make a roof and paint the inside some fun/funky colors and it could be a cool outside art or story time area. The siding roof will make it a little rain proof! Good luck! Abi

Katie said...

I don't know if it would work or not but you could make a fort/castle type thing for area 1. That way the rocks can stay. Clean it up and enclose it more. Tarps or something can be used for that. Then toys but in? If you do the concrete, I don't know which is cheaper concrete or tar? We might a few pieces of wood big enough for "little chairs" in either area. I'll check on that.

Jennifer Magreevy said...

Hmmm. Definitely look into doing the concrete under the deck, I think that would really be wonderful. My next door neighbor just did his own path in his backyard, so you should look into how expensive it is for someone to come do it, or for you guys to do it yourself (and rent the equipment). For the shed addition, why not try to create your own covered patio? You know those huge things you can buy to go over patio sets? You could recreate something like that. You could even hang outdoor Christmas lights, or something similar (or something that runs via battery) and the kids would get a kick out of that. And you could get an all-weather tarp to do it so that it could stay up year-round.

BethH said...

Ooo, you've gotten some great ideas so far. For under the deck: my first thought was a sand box too. It would be shady,e tc....what if you did 1/2 sandbox and 1/2 castle or cement. Might not cost AS much if only 1/2 is done w/ cement. We got a fairly cheap sand box at one of the home depot type places and it came with a lid. I'd say def. have some sort of lid or covering so it does not turn into a liter box..for sure! Our kids LOVE the sand..it's a big hit.

Area 2: My first thoughts were to paint it and hang all sorts of windchims from the rafters. I'd get ones that make noise and ones that must move and spin. I think adding some 'movement' to the area would be fun and whimsical. Maybe add a window box or large pots of flowers to soften the corners and sides. I love the idea of the table being there...wonder, too, if you could make a nice outside play kitchen area by getting a small kitchen set (used ones are pretty cheap at garage sales). Then the kids could make their own mud pies..hehehe...messy, but fun!

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

orgnmaster said...

dispose of the lean-to thing on the shed... then build a simple deck on the ground level.

There you would have the same as a play area but could still have free-time goodies and - chalk looks fine on wood!