By: Katie Albers
It was a sparkling, spring day and the whole family was in the backyard. My son had been playing hard all morning so when he lay down on the porch steps, I figured it was nap time. I watched as he began to twist and turn on the step, wrapping his red cape, the one I’d cut from a t-shirt, around his body. Then he sat up and said, “The spell is broken! Now I’m the prince!” I immediately realized that his behavior was not fatigue, but a reenactment of the transformation scene from Beauty and the Beast. He turned to me and said, “Belle, it’s me!” Right on cue I replied, “It is you!” And I plopped a kiss on his cheek. Off he ran back to his castle, our new cedar play set, where his enchanted rose, a plastic flower underneath a clear bucket, and his little sister, playing the role of Mrs. Potts, awaited. I smiled, thinking once again that the investment of a play set is perfect for fueling the imagination.
However, when I drive the streets of Owensboro, I see lots of play sets in backyards and I almost never see kids playing on them. Just like any new toy, the excitement of a play set will be short-lived if you simply use it to climb and swing. Reinvigorate your children’s excitement for this expensive piece of equipment with just a little bit of creativity.
Raceway Flag Stand
Host a neighborhood race day. Have runners race around a backyard course and assign one lucky kid to be at the top of the play set waving construction paper flags. Color-code the flags so that when a blue flag is waving the participants have to hop or while pink is flying everyone has to crawl.
Eagle’s Nest Lookout
Gather a few small toys and hide them around the yard. Have the kids sit atop the play set with binoculars and try to find the toys by sight. For an added twist, one kid can be on the ground while the child in the play set gives directions on where to find the hidden toys.
Picnic in a Cave
Using push pins, attach old sheets or table cloths on all sides of the play set enclosing the bottom level. Prepare a picnic lunch for the kids and allow them to eat in the “cave.” In the fall, when darkness creeps in earlier, let the kids use their flashlights for an even spookier dining experience.
Sky High Art Museum
Bring out the sidewalk chalk and let the kids draw on the walls and floors of the play set. Generally, chalk will rinse off with water and any residue can be lightly sanded away if a new inspiration hits. Once the museum is finished, encourage the kids to show off their masterpieces through a museum tour.
Enchanted Castle / Hero Lair
Dress up the kids in all their princess and superhero finery, and let their clothes inspire them to enjoy the play set. Help them to put together a bucket of yard-proof accessories and then sit back and watch them set up a little fantasy world in your backyard.
Get creative with your family and see if your kids don’t take an interest in that old play set once again.