Help me transform my backyard (cheaply). Pics.

[moonmaker]

An a complete novice so bear with me
Moved into a rented property. My landlord has refused to do anything about the backyard but it's in a state . As the pic shows , weeds , moss everywhere , dirty flagging, badly weathered walls etc. Now I don't have a huge amount of money to transform it but really want to make it as nice and as child friendly as possible . I have a budget of around £400 but can stretch to £500 at a push ( I know that isn't much !).
I have 3 dc- 12,11 and 2. The older 2 might want somewhere to sit outside when it's warm and the little one would probably love an outdoor toy or two like maybe a mud kitchen and a slide or a water table .
Where do I start ? I really want to make it clean, attractive and homely .
All suggestions appreciated .
Thanks .

If you’re on Facebook, join a local selling group and ask if anyone recommends a local patio cleaner, that’s be the bulk done! Keep an eye out on Early Learning Centre etc for Kid/Baby events for play sets

Tissue would that be for jetcleaning? Is it quite effective ?

As it's rented you can't do anything major & permanent, but you can transform it.
Planters with attached trellises to make a little chill area (ie www.argos.co.uk/product/2967017?storeID=441&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|cid:596650041|agid:28594343605|tid:pla-186035604805|crid:95889016045|nw:g|rnd:5350545682022221697|dvc:m|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9045799&gclid=CjwKCAiAtorUBRBnEiwAfcp_Y5rdRTXuYRKHjz4qQ5dMyVuE0Vpm9Wf_OXJyei0auOMPOPjjB4UvfRoCI-QQAvD_BwE)

Large wooden sandpit for toddler (fill with mud if wanted) www.robertdyas.co.uk/plum-treasure-beach-wooden-sand-pit?istCompanyId=bf3344d9-83f5-4abd-b69a-da131f7567d1&istItemId=xlriatqmwl&istBid=tztx&source=&gclid=CjwKCAiAtorUBRBnEiwAfcp_Y3wdpS94V5Qmq8S6DMzOU4AoPjZohBt0YI2q-lnd-JXAW3OXyxT7dxoCuuEQAvD_BwE

A good jetwash and repainting of the walls will make a massive difference. The missing flags look like a great place to put pots separating off a seating and play area. I understand you want to make it nice, but if your LL won't help you, try not to help them too much either.

Pinterest will be your friend.

If it was me:

I would paint the walls - buy/obtain/get a large blackboard (classroom size) and put it from the floor up against one of the walls so your youngest (and maybe older two) can chalk/Mark make/draw.

I would divide one half into toddler/kid friendly with sensory bits and nothing too big or plastic - Pinterest will give tips - water play, chalk board, guttering against wall to make water run that type of thing, keep it wooden, like wooden (cut off tree stumps) as seats etc...flower pots and digging area.

The house end I would get a wooden picnic bench or similar and string outdoor lights and bunting across from the sides & add some lovely as big as you can afford pot plants.

Bamboo screening is quite good for hiding walls and fences you don’t want to see- and as it’s not permanent it’s great for rented properties.

Are you allowed to pull up those mingin slabs? I have a picture in my head would love to come and help x
I'm thinking if your allowed to pull up the slabs and get some artificial grass down. Try to see what you can salvage e.g. pallets Repaint those walls. Make use of the space on the walls ( I'll try to attach some images) either make or grab a second hand bench. For the little one (and the teens) you could create a sensory garden using solar lights wind chimes pinwheel etc

Start with pressure washer or if you can't hire/ borrow one, then use a concentrated bleach solution and a hard broom to get all the algae and moss off the Flagstones. Hard work but will improve it hugely! Paint the walls in b & q own brand masonry paint. Cheap swing seat or patio set from Asda or Argos. Some cheap plastic pots from B&M/ home Bargains and all purpose compost. Plant with summer bulb's from same shops and you'll have lovely flowers by summer. Good luck OP. Bit of time and effort and it will look nice

Ikea outdoor furniture are good if you are looking for couple of chairs and small table.
I have cleaned our small patio with soap water and wire brush and hosepipe but it was hard work and weed/moss didn't go away completely.

Some really strong concrete/patio cleaner chemical scrubbed well in then a jet wash. May have to repeat. Give the walls some new white paint and get a roll of fake grass. Small table,chairs and brolly ready for summer if it comes ..

But it was clean enough

You guys are amazing . Have already contacted some local patio cleaners who do jetwashing, for some quotes. Spotted them on Facebook marketplace - handy!
Will sand and paint the walls .
Going through all the other suggestions as am trying to figure out what I want- keep them coming!

Jeyes fluid is cheap and will clean and disinfect the slabs and get rid of the moss and stuff. I do my little courtyard every year, using a brush to spread a fairly concentrated solution of it and then leaving it a few hours before rinsing it away. After a few days it looks so much better.

Then look at cheap big planters and maybe get the kids growing cheap plants including veg from seed. Spend money on a decent table and chairs, a parasol for shade, a covered sandpit and a big waterproof storage box for outside toys, cushions etc.

@IlikemyTeahot can't pull out the slabs am afraid but he doesn't mind us doing things with the walls so would love to see what you suggest!

Look up pallet garden - maybe line the walls with pallet planters.
Also solar lights might be useful

As the walls had been painted white at some stage, painting it white again would do no harm.

Use a wire brush to get the loose stuff off, 'paint' the walls with a PVA solution (or specialised stabilizer) and finish with a white masonry paint.

You can clean the patio with a stiff brush, a bottle of bleach and some elbow grease.

Paint the walls white, invest in some nice pot plants and a garden table and chairs.

Job done.

Some good ideas on here for you. I'd love to see the "after" pics once it's completed.

Apart from the hideous colours of the caterpillar what do you think of that idea..instead of the plants in all you could have sand, garden toys and do something with the outside to amuse the little one and have lids to transform it into seating.

I like the idea of the boxes . Off to find some that have lids and am browsing some second hand garden tables/chairs.

Will get onto sanding and repainting the walls this weekend hopefully and jetwasher quotes are coming in .

I've ordered some moss cleaner / weed killer off amazon and will get round to doing that over the next few days as well.

www.activitytoysdirect.com/step2-play-ball-fun-climber-p1793/ or similar looks great for a 2 year old, plus a small sandpit or sand table. Set of chairs for you and the older kids, some plants in pots and paint the walls and jetwash the patio.

@dressinggowndressingdown I like the sound of lights and think the 2 older dds would love that . Can the lights / bunting be kept outside all the time ?

We keep ours up all year, currently rattling around now! But maybe worth bringing in Nov - March - but we bought bunting and lights and lovely ceramic pots and looks good - all inspired by Pinterest-

We also put some climbing wall holds (not high) but going across a wall which the kids love - again Pinterest and they were about 25 quid twice - as did more once put first lot up!

Shame about the slabs but the least your landlord can do is make sure they are safe and secure...then as previous posters have mentioned get a pressure washer on them.