Grass alternative

[TheGirlWithGlassFeet]

We're on clay soil and the back garden is on a bit of a slope. The kids are on the lawn a lot and it is so waterlogged, muddy and patchy.

I want to replace/add something to the grass that is going to help. Any ideas? Im going to add clover to the front garden but don't the kids stepping on the bees if it's on the back too.

Keep it mown so it does the flower?

After 8 years we've given up on our lawn, clay soil turns into mud in the winter, rock hard bumpy and impossible to mow properly in summer.
We're getting it all dug up, levelled, fresh topsoil added and sowing microclover, no grass at all. You don't need to mow if you want flowers, but if it's mowed occasionally forms a dense mat and no flowers.

Thanks both. I'm going to give the clover a try. It can't be any worse than sticking with the grass

Clover is great and I'm establishing patches in our lawn, but it's not going to stand up to being played on intensively, any better than grass will.

I have no idea if your layout whether you could make this work but if you are able to, I'd section the lawn into ornamental and play areas. The ornamental lawn could have grass, clover, meadow whatever. Put some stepping stones down through it so it does not get walked on all winter.

Play area honestly I'd have a thick layer of bark chips like they do in playparks. When the children are teens and don't need a play area, lay the new lawn on top of the decomposed bark chips and you'll have vastly improved soil underneath the lawn.

It's too small to separate unfortunately. It is full of play equipment. I think I'm going to extend the borders a bit and put in some thirsty plants to try and suck up some of the water and then out clover down. It won't be ideal but hopefully better than just grass/mud.