Most accidents happen in and around the home, and for young children, the yard can present more risks than parents realize. As kids grow and learn to walk, run, and explore, falls and outdoor hazards become increasingly common. In fact, falls are one of the leading causes of childhood injuries, resulting in thousands of ER visits every day. Knowing how to make your yard safe for kids is essential for creating a space where children can play, explore, and enjoy the outdoors without unnecessary risk. While a fenced yard keeps kids away from traffic, many hidden dangers still exist right outside your door.
Updated: December 2025
Improve Patio Areas to Make Your Yard Safe for Kids
Several things can help make a patio safer. As a hard surface, kids may experience falls, scrapes, and bruises on a patio. Nevertheless, there are still options for making a more child-proof patio.
The people from Paving Shopper advise using slip-resistant pavers to avoid problems such as slipping when it has been raining. You can choose from a few paving slabs or porcelain tiles that provide a non-slip surface. They are non-porous, too, meaning water and moisture cannot enter the paver. When paving stones absorb water, they can be affected by algae and moss that cause slipping hazards.
Another way to make your patio safer is to add a cover or canopy. It will help keep the patio dry and protect you and your child from the sun.
Add fencing to the yard
Opinions differ on how much value a fence can add to your home, but you will see some ROI if you install one. A fence can add curb appeal and create privacy.
Putting up a fence allows your child to play in private and stops them from leaving the yard area. It will also prevent anyone from entering and make your home a little more secure.
Cover any ponds
Water features represent a hazard to young children, and a fatal accident can happen to a toddler in only one inch of water. You can use a fixed metal grille to stop your child from tripping and falling into the pond.
If you have a swimming pool, erecting a pool fence is vital. Don’t rely on pool covers, as they can be dangerous themselves.
Provide shade
A canopy or covering for shade on your patio or decking area can make the space safer. Trees also provide natural shade from the sun’s rays. You can have a relaxing and enjoyable time in the yard with your child, but they’re more susceptible to burning than adults.
Creating shaded areas means you can safely put your baby strollers in the yard and enjoy fresh air together. And if you have trees and adventurous children, get the lower branches professionally trimmed so there is no way to climb up.
Improve your walkways
Make sure your paving slabs are even and flat. A rising paving slab creates a tripping hazard for children playing in the yard. If you have lights along your walkway or through the yard, switch to solar so you don’t need electric cables.
As you read in the intro, falls cause many of the most common childhood injuries, so a soft surface underneath the swing or treehouse is a must.
Make a play area to make your yard safe
You can use low fencing to create a playpen and put in some toys for young children. Using rubber mats or other soft surfaces will help prevent injuries from trips and falls.
Lock your gardening tools in the shed
Gardening and growing vegetables together are one of the best ways to get your child outdoors, but leaving gardening tools lying around can be very dangerous.
Garden shears, pruners, rakes, and forks are all hazards. Put them in the shed, and lock it so kids can’t get into the tools.
Check the yard for poisonous plants to make your yard safe for kids
Some plants are toxic to humans, with some causing allergic reactions, and some being fatal when ingested. You may not realize it, but some of these toxic plants are common in regular yards and homes.
For example, common ivy is mildly poisonous if consumed. Children are curious about the world, and it isn’t unusual for them to put objects into their mouths. The under-5s are most at risk of being poisoned by plants, so checking what is in your yard or growing on your walls is a good idea. If you find any concerning plants, contact a trusted lawn care company, such as SolTerra Lawn & Pest, right away, so they can eliminate unwanted and dangerous weeds from your yard and create a safer space for everyone.
Incidentally, the ASPCA notes that common ivy is also toxic to cats and dogs. So, you may want to avoid this fast wall climber altogether.
Recap: Make Your Yard Safe for Kids
Loose flagstones, uncovered water features, uneven walkways, and toxic plants are some of the most common hazards found in family yards. Fortunately, it doesn’t take major renovations to make your yard safe for kids. Small improvements, like securing tools, adding soft play surfaces, improving shade, and fixing trip hazards, can significantly reduce the risk of injury and help keep children out of the ER.
Hi Sarah, great article on 7 Simple Ways to Make Your Yard Safe for Kids. Your tips on improving the safety of patios, adding fencing, covering ponds, providing shade, improving walkways, making a play area, and locking gardening tools in the shed are all valuable steps parents can take to ensure their children have a safe and fun time playing in the yard. Thank you for sharing this important information.
These are great tips for keeping a safe yard!
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