Where are you located? That will determine what plantings would work best in your climate. I fyou are in US: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Thanks. I’m in Canada :)

If not sod, then the lowest groundcover. I don't know what that would be there.

Blue fescue might be a good option. I don't know if I'd fill the entire area, but a few clumps here and there won't mind stepping on and a couple basketball hits.

The conifer by the door is going to be way too big for that spot. Plan on cutting it down in two or three years, maybe you or a friend can do a cut your own Christmas tree event :(

I would plant clumps of some sort of nepeta ( cat mint?) interspersed with maybe moonbeam coreopsis. Low maintenance and great for pollinators. Drought tolerant.

Martha