Creative ways to use artificial grass for outdoor/indoor play areas

Posted February 22, 2018by Artificial Grass Direct

Play is very important for children’s development; it helps them learn how to interact with each other, explore the world around them and most importantly, have fun!

Outdoor play is a great way for children to get some exercise and fresh air, which is why many homes, schools and nurseries have installed artificial grass to provide safe, easy to maintain play areas for children of all ages.

The benefits of installing artificial grass outside are obvious – it saves time on maintenance, stays green all year round and prevents patchiness from developing – but you might not know that it can be used inside too.

What are the benefits of using artificial grass for outdoor/indoor play areas?

• It’s safe
  Children love to run, jump and roll, so they’re bound to trip and fall sometimes – but artificial grass is soft and won’t graze young skin. It’s also anti-slip and if you use it indoors, you’ll find it’s much quieter than hardwood, laminate or linoleum flooring when children run around!
• It’s hygienic
  Artificial grass is hypoallergenic and easy to clean, which makes it ideal for children’s play areas – it’s less muddy than real grass and more resistant to spills and little accidents than carpet. It’s also great for children with allergies – no more worrying about grass pollen or dust mites.
• It’s durable
  Artificial grass won’t fade or flatten, even with children constantly running around on it. You don’t need to mow, water or fertilise it, and it lasts up to 20 years – making it a great alternative to natural grass in the garden or carpet in the house.

How can artificial grass be used for outdoor/indoor play areas?

Whether you’re a parent, teacher or childcare provider, you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with the challenge of trying to keep children entertained.

A creatively designed play area can be the solution, and there are lots of ways to use artificial grass to create outdoor and indoor play areas at home, nursery or school.

Artificial grass ideas for home play areas

You can turn your garden into a year-round play area by replacing the lawn with artificial grass; it provides a soft surface underneath climbing frames, slides and swing sets and won’t get muddy, even when it’s been raining.

Or why not create a themed bedroom that your child will love? There are lots of ways to incorporate artificial grass into popular themes.

Fairytales – turn any bedroom into an enchanted forest with soft grass underfoot and flower designs on the walls. You could even paint a mural of a faraway castle in the distance.

Sports – instead of carpet, use artificial grass to create a miniature football pitch, tennis court or even a pitch-and-putt golf course! Children will love having a sporting arena that’s just their size.

Animals – create an indoor jungle with a grassy floor and trees painted on the walls and ceiling. Don’t forget about the animals – cuddly monkeys and birds will help bring this theme to life.

Artificial grass ideas for nursery play areas

Any outdoor space can be transformed into a colourful picnic area with artificial grass, striped deckchairs, wooden tables and colourful bunting for children to enjoy when the weather’s nice.

The texture of artificial grass lends itself to sensory play (activity which aims to stimulate one or all of a child’s five senses), so why not create a sensory garden with soft artificial grass to run little fingers through and fake flowers to “pick”, touch and smell?

Artificial grass could also be used to create indoor reading or nap time areas. It comes in several colours, so you could choose blue or purple for a calming influence when it’s time for the children to settle down and listen to a story.

Artificial grass ideas for school play areas

Artificial grass can be customised with game designs such as snakes and ladders to help children learn basic literacy and numeracy in the playground. You could even create a road design with clearly marked lanes for children to race in, as well as traffic lights and zebra crossings to teach them about road safety.

When it’s raining outside, an indoor games area can be a great alternative to typical “rainy day” activities like quizzes or crafts. Traditional garden games such as skittles, pick-up sticks, hoopla and tug of war (all played on artificial grass, of course) can give children the feeling of playing outdoors even when they’re inside.

Find out more about artificial grass installation

If you’ve been inspired by our ideas, please contact us to request a free sample or get a no obligation quote and we’ll be happy to advise you about artificial grass installation for your outdoor or indoor play area.