Four Ways to Get Kids Playing Outside
A balcony, courtyard or back terrace can easily become a child's favourite spot for the summer. These simple, low-cost ideas turn outdoor space into a place for digging, drawing, reading and even setting the table, with little effort to set up or pack away.
A muddy corner for little gardeners
Children are drawn to soil and digging long before they care about neat flower beds, so a simple planting station gives them somewhere to get stuck in. A sturdy plastic outdoor table and stools at child height work well, since both wipe clean easily after a muddy afternoon. Let children fill pots with soil and seeds, then care for their own plant on balconies or in courtyards, bringing it indoors on rainy days to keep watching it grow. It is a gentle way to spend time outside together without much planning.
NÄMMARÖ table, outdoor, light brown stained, 75x63 cm
TÄRNÖ table, outdoor, black/light brown stained, 55x54 cm
NÄMMARÖ table, outdoor, light brown stained, 140x75 cm
ASKHOLMEN table, outdoor, foldable dark brown, 60x62 cm
ASKHOLMEN table for wall, outdoor, folding dark brown, 70x44 cm
VÄSMAN extendable table, outdoor, light brown stained, 135/190x74 cm
Turn a tablecloth into a mini town
Mealtimes outside can double as playtime with a tablecloth that doubles as a map. Using plain metre fabric, stitch simple outlines showing where plates and cutlery belong, so children can help set the table themselves. Add strips cut from an old fleece throw to create winding roads across the cloth, turning it into a toy town between courses. It folds away easily and works just as well for a garden picnic as it does on a terrace table, giving mealtimes a playful, practical touch.
A cosy reading spot of their own
Children often want a space that feels grown up, so a small reading corner outdoors gives them exactly that. A painted backdrop made to look like a little house creates a cheerful, sheltered setting, especially when paired with a couple of children's easy chairs for proper sitting and relaxing. A small greenhouse style box makes a handy way to carry books out and back in again, keeping the space tidy. It is an easy corner to set up on a shaded terrace or balcony during Malta's warmer months.
FLISAT children's stool, pine, 32 cm
ÖRFJÄLL children's desk chair, white/Vissle pink, 53 cm
MAMMUT children's chair, in/outdoor/white, 39x67x36 cm
ÖRFJÄLL children's desk chair, white/Vissle light grey, 53 cm
KRITTER children's chair, white, 27x53x29 cm
MAMMUT children's stool, in/outdoor/yellow, 35 cm
An art wall that keeps mess outside
Chalk and paint bring out creativity quickly, and an outdoor art wall keeps the mess where it belongs. A simple MDF board coated in blackboard paint gives children room to draw freely, while a rail with containers underneath keeps brushes, chalk and paper within reach and easy to tidy away. Artwork can be clipped up using the plastic backing from a picture frame, so finished pieces are protected and easy to save. It is a practical setup for shared outdoor areas in Maltese homes, where space is often at a premium.
Small outdoor corners can hold a surprising amount of play, reading and mess. Maltashopper brings these everyday IKEA pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo, ready for whichever activity the children choose next.