For many adults our summertime memories include playing outside from morning to dusk with an occasional check-in around dinner. For many of today's kids technology and a sense of danger has driven more and more kids indoors. Research shows regular outdoor playtime contributes to healthy development physically and socially, and encourages imagination.

Who says a sandbox has to be boring? The ornamental cover can be lowered when not in use. Photo: Judy White from "Front Yard & Backyard Idea Book"

Many suburban yards are sterilized of nature and townhome and apartment complexes as well as urban areas may lack green space. Connecting with the outdoors doesn't have to be complicated. With a little imagination a weeping willow is a hidden cave. A hill can provide hours of giggles and dizziness by rolling down it. Two sticks become swords for a pirate fight and a fallen log is the plank off a pirate ship.

The Green Play Yard at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum has some creative elements to get young ones interacting with nature. For infants the Play Yard includes a crawl-along, pull-up stumps, peek wall, swing in the trees, and a bridge with tickling grasses. For toddlers there is a rolling hill, vine tunnel, hopping stump, log and stump dirt play area, a tea party corner, and much more. Preschoolers will have fun with a track for wheeled play, a dramatic play stage with log seating, sand and water play area, climb-on log, along with much more.

Play areas should be located where adults can keep an eye on the kids. Areas for older kids can be further from the house. Play structures are an obvious choice for outdoor play. Leave at least 5 feet in front of and behind an extended swing and from pathways for clearance. A large tree nearby will provide shade from the afternoon sun. A soft material, like wood mulch, pea gravel or sand, underfoot will soften falls and will eliminate mowing around the structure.

If your family loves chess, why not consider an outdoor board? Photo: Judy White from "Front Yard & Backyard Idea Book"

Other creative ideas for outdoor fun are an oversized chess board, tree swings, or a balance beam from a tree log. Use tree stumps as hopping stones. Build a simple teepee with bamboo poles and twine and plant runner beans to cover the teepee.

As kids get older, play structures are substituted for recreational spaces or sport courts. If you are considering building a sport court, do a spatial analysis to see if the court will consume too much backyard space. Draw to scale a plan of the backyard to get a bird's eye view or paint the sport court boundaries and view from a second story window. If you have the space for a sport court, landscape around the court to blend it into the landscape and soften its edges. Horseshoes or bean bag toss are conducive to shadier spots. Not much overhead space is needed, and unlike pools, these activities don't need sun.

Plant this shrub where its sweet fragrance can be appreciated.

Different ways to engage kids, and even adults, with nature is to plant to engage the senses. The sweet fragrance of the mockorange 'Miniature Snowflake' will most definitely engage one's sense of smell. Scientifically known as Philadelphus x 'Miniature Snowflake', this small shrub will grow around 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with a compact, upright form.

The double white flowers bloom profusely in May and June. Plant near a patio, walkway, or window where the scent can be most appreciated. It prefers full sun, but will handle a bit of part sun/shade.