Outdoor play areas let families explore, relax, and connect with nature. The air is fresh, and the view of the surroundings makes you feel good about life. In this article, we’ll explore how to arrange planters for an aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable, functional, and safe play area.
1. Define Play Zones With Planters
Outdoor planters hold and display plants, flowers, or small trees in outdoor spaces. These planters have various shapes, sizes, and materials, such as wood, ceramic, metal, and durable plastic, making them adaptable to different styles and needs.
You can place large planters to mark the boundary of an active play zone, like a slide or climbing structure, versus a quieter seating or picnic area. Using colorful, durable planters can create a clear visual distinction, making the space feel more organized and easier for children and caregivers to navigate.
Bamboo or ornamental grasses provide both height and privacy without feeling too rigid. On the other hand, marigolds or petunias can bring an element of cheerfulness to the area while serving as functional borders.
2. Incorporate Sensory-Friendly Elements
Include soft, textured plants like lamb’s ear or ferns in a potted plant arrangement. Lavender, mint, or basil add aromatic interest to the space. Moreover, you can use a planter with a bright color or pattern to visually stimulate children and complement the plants’ natural hues.
Place these sensory planters near benches or shaded areas for children to interact with them comfortably. A container garden creates an opportunity for supervised learning, where kids can explore the textures and scents in a structured and safe environment.
3. Create Natural Play Areas
You can create a small “garden station” or container garden where children can learn about plants, water them, or even grow their own flowers or vegetables. Raised planters are particularly ideal for this purpose as they are easily accessible for kids and reduce the risk of tripping or digging hazards.
Edible gardens in planters—featuring cherry tomatoes, strawberries, or herbs—are a fun way to teach kids about healthy eating and sustainability while adding charm to the play area. You can also use planters to house climbing plants like beans or morning glories, which can grow along trellises or structures in outdoor space, creating natural forts or tunnels for imaginative play.
4. Add Shade and Safety
Incorporating planters at different heights with shade-giving plants is a functional and aesthetic solution. For example, placing large planters with small trees, like Japanese maples or dwarf magnolias, near seating or sandboxes can provide much-needed relief from the sun.
Planters can act as barriers to keep children safe from hazardous areas, such as driveways or steep slopes. Choose sturdy, weather-resistant planters filled with hardy plants to ensure longevity and reliability.
5. Use Planters to Add Pops of Color
Choose annuals and perennials to ensure year-round beauty. For example, geraniums, zinnias, and daisies are popular choices for their bright blooms and low maintenance.
To make the space even more engaging, you can choose planters in different heights, shapes, or colors that match the play area’s theme. For example, animal-shaped planters or ones painted with playful designs can add an extra element of fun. The bursts of color can also help stimulate creativity and make the space feel more inviting.
6. Maximize Space With Vertical Planters
Vertical planters add greenery without taking up valuable ground space. Wall-mounted planters or stackable designs can be used to grow a mix of plants, creating a lush, green backdrop.
Vertical planters work particularly well along fences or walls and can serve as a creative space divider. Add plants like trailing ivy, flowering vines, or succulents for a layered and dynamic look.
7. Incorporate Themes With Planters
If the play area has a jungle or pirate theme, choose planters and plants that align with the setting. Palm trees, ferns, or cacti can create an adventurous vibe, while brightly colored flowers can emulate a tropical paradise for a fun summer.
If the play area has a fairy tale or enchanted garden theme, choose planters and plants that evoke a whimsical and magical atmosphere. Use planters shaped like mushrooms or tree stumps and fill them with lush greenery, such as moss and ivy, or small flowering plants like violets and snapdragons. Fairy lights or small figurines, like gnomes or fairies, nestled among the planters can complete the storybook setting and ignite children’s imaginations.
Themed planters encourage imaginative play and help tie the space together cohesively. They also provide a way to refresh the area’s design as seasons or interests change, keeping the play area dynamic and exciting for children.
Bottom Line
Strategically arrange outdoor planters to transform outdoor play areas into vibrant, functional, and engaging spaces. Planters provide endless opportunities to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of a play area. So why wait? Bring the power of outdoor planters into your play area and see the difference they make!
