Four tips for turning your carport into a play area this winter

Construction & Contractors Blog

As the weather cools down and winter rapidly approaches, there are less opportunities to get your young children outside to play. A great way to make sure your kids get to enjoy some time outdoors this winter is to turn your carport into a play area.

Install a windbreak

Many parents swear that their children are more boisterous and full of energy on windy days. Whether or not this is true for your kids, the wind can spoil outdoor activities and make it generally unpleasant during winter to be outside with children. As such, one of the most important steps in creating a useable play area in your carport this winter is installing a windbreak. Whether you invest in custom-made roller blinds or simply string up some tarps securely for a more temporary windbreak, protecting your outdoor play area from the wind will ensure your kids can do craft activities and play with their toys unabated.

Improve the flooring

Carports with a concrete slab floor are ideal for quick clean up after the kids make a crafty mess, but concrete isn't very comfortable for your little ones to sit or kneel on. Depending on how permanent you want to make your outdoor playroom area, you can easily improve the flooring in your carport in a variety of ways. A good quality indoor-outdoor rug is an ideal option, as it can be easily cleaned if dirtied by the kids or wet weather. Carpet tiles and artificial grass are also excellent temporary flooring solutions that won't break the budget.

Create a clean-up station

Your carport play area is the ideal location for all those messy craft activities that you can't do inside, such as painting or digging in the sandpit. Instead of letting your kids track mud, sand and paint back into your house to wash up, create a clean-up station in your carport play area. A bowl with some soapy warm water and some old towels will allow your children the freedom to clean their hands before they head back inside after a creative play session.

Don't forget a parent-friendly seat

Once you have set up a play area for your kids in the carport, create a space for yourself. Since you'll spend time in the play area yourself keeping an eye on your kids, a comfortable seat in the corner is an ideal place to relax with a magazine or book while the kids explore their imaginations.

If you want a multipurpose outdoor space for your family home, contact your local carport construction contractor today for a competitive quote.

31 May 2016