What to do with the hole in the middle of the patio challenge!!

Recently, I went to a clients home to meet with them regarding their landscaping needs.  One challenge was the hole on the patio.  Some of the things to take into consideration, the budget for the overall landscaping project, entertaining, and 2 small children.  I love a challenge and so the wheels went to turning in my brain!

Here are the ideas:

We could make a sand pile with a removable wood top.  When the sand pile is not being used a pot can be placed on top with flowers to cover it.  This would be good for when having a party to conseal a wood plank top.

We could make a disappearing fountain with a low pot so little ones cannot tip over on themselves.

We could make a trumpet spewing fountain in a pot.  The client has a big copper pot that I would love to make a fountain out of.  Due to the fact that the home lends itself to a New Orleans feel, I suggested I use a trumpet it the middle as a spout for the water to shoot out of.

We could make a fire pit.

We could dry stack up the sides and make a great planter.

We could do a mosaic design out of tile, glass, and stone.  Like a piece of art on the patio.

We could set the birdbath in the middle and plant small shrubs around it.

We could.....let me know what you think we should do the 'hole'

I'll let you know what we decide on!