A ‘Yes Space’ is a corner of your home or garden where kids can take the lead. It’s theirs to explore, experiment and imagine, without needing constant input or permission. These spaces encourage confidence, independence and giddy joy. And for parents? They bring a welcome breather.

Here are five school-holiday-ready ideas to help you set up your own Yes Space, along with the kinds of things you might just find yourself smiling and saying yes to.

 

The Garden Takeover

Turn a corner of your outdoor space into their kingdom. Add crates, logs, a bucket of chalk, mud kitchen supplies or even just a hosepipe and let them lead the fun.

YES to painting the fence with water.
YES to making a worm hotel.
YES to mixing muddy potions and “growing” stick plants.
YES to setting up a mini bushcraft area with tarps, sticks and string.

This is where getting grubby is part of the magic.

The Picnic Station

Inside or out, set up a little table or blanket with plates, cups, napkins and their own snack basket. Encourage kids to host a teddy bear’s picnic, café or juice bar - no adult input needed (until you're invited as the customer).

YES to serving sandwiches to a lineup of dinosaurs.
YES to a makeshift juice stand by the front door to earn a few pennies.
YES to threading strawberries and creating ‘kebabs.’

It’s make-believe meets independence.

The Invention Station

Dedicate a corner to LEGO, Duplo, blocks, cardboard boxes and construction materials such as egg boxes, pegs, string, masking tape and foil. Give them free rein to design cities, creatures or obstacle courses. Label it their “invention station” and say YES to whatever their imagination cooks up. For older ones, consider offering a few basic tools and junk tech for them to deconstruct and re-create something new.

YES to building a monster-trap.
YES to creating a time machine in the hallway.
YES to engineering a robot from junk.

It’s messy. It’s magic. It’s probably not going on display, but the process is the point.

The Wild Art Spot

Set up an art trolley or basket with paper, washi tape, coloured pencils, scissors and glue. Keep it low-access and mess-manageable: an old shower curtain or tablecloth underneath works wonders! Saying YES to independent creativity feels easier when the clean-up is part of the plan.

YES to painting with sticks instead of brushes.
YES to taping things to the wall.
YES to painting an old t-shirt, tote bag or pair of trainers.
YES to giant collages, Pollock-inspired paintings and garden signs.

Big canvas = big excitement.

The Wet Zone

Hot day? Fill a big basin with water, bubbles, old toys, sponges and brushes. Add goggles for drama.

YES to washing your garden furniture.
YES to scrubbing their shoes with a toothbrush.
YES to giving their toy dragon a bubble bath.
YES to constructing a DIY water park using pipes, hose and tarpaulin.

Drop in glitter. Add food colouring. This one’s always a hit.

Why It Works

Creating a Yes Space isn’t about chaos, it’s about controlled freedom. These spaces show your kids that:

• You trust them to take the lead


• Their ideas are valued - even the wonderfully weird ones


• Play doesn’t need a plan to be brilliant

And when kids feel seen and trusted, confidence grows.

That’s exactly what our Holiday Clubs are all about too. From den-building to dance routines, science experiments to scavenger hunts, our days are child-led, play-filled and full of opportunities to say YES.

Want More Screen-Free Inspiration?

If you’re on a mission to reduce screen time this summer (without turning into the fun police), be sure to check out our free play downloads:

The LEGO Challenge Pack – Creative build prompts for all ages
The Scavenger Hunt Pack – For indoors, outdoors and rainy day adventures

Here’s to a summer of YES!