making our concrete back yard baby and child safe?

[parentallyinept]

We live in a 3 bed end of terrace house with a tiny front garden that leads out onto a busy alley way, and a smallish concrete back yard that has steps from the back door down to a square 'patio' area which then steps down again to a flat rectangular bit (its like a fat L shape). I've got a 5 YO, a 10MO and one on the way - how do i go about making it baby and child-friendly so they can play and make the most of the space? it's a proper little sun trap, and we currently have no shade unless i've got the table and parasol up on the patio bit, which then eats into the space the children have to play.

Any ideas?

how about getting a little outside type tent things, sorry can't remember the name (not much use!) but they sell them in places like argos. Not sure how much they are though but they provide shade and cover.
Also i no concrete is hard and my children have had few scuffed knees but how about wood chipping to put down? Its not as harsh if they fall over

you can get sails or awnings to rig to your house, would provide shade without taking up space.

You could put down decking squares to make it a softer surface for the DCs to play on, and agree with Primrose about the sail/awning, which if attached to your house wall wouldnt take up any ground space.

Thank you for the responses. Time to get shopping!