For most families, spending quality time outside in a garden is a must. What’s crucial, however, is that it’s a safe, hazard free place where kids can play without constant supervision. You also want somewhere that’s great to look at. Far from the traditional image of a ruined lawn covered in plastic toys that so many of us grew up with.
The good news is this is entirely achievable, and at an overall cost that’s not going to break the bank. There are, in fact, a number of simple and effective choices. All of which will assist you in creating a superb, child friendly garden that’ll allow your kids run free. All whilst you kick your feet up, relax and take it easy.
Approaches To Consider
Having some artificial grass put down can create a tough, resistant area that kids can play on all year round. It’s incredibly durable and soft enough it’ll cushion an unexpected crash landing. It also means no more grass stains! What’s more, it can help you divide up your outdoor space into zones specifically designed for adults and children.
You could create a barrier using a hedge or low wall, which will, for instance, keep a toddler from escaping. A zone close to the house can be useful because it’s the safest area. Keeping very young children away from any potential pitfalls or other hazards. Really, though, it’s about everyone having their own bit of the garden where they can do their own thing.
For many of us, the garden should be a near perfect place containing brightly coloured flowers and perfectly pruned hedges. The reality, of course, is that kids at play makes this is an almost impossible proposition. So, why not compromise and let them have a section of garden to call their own?
Letting Your Kids Help Out
These days you can find an array of kid friendly gardening tools to inspire those with little green fingers. This is excellent because allowing them to plant their own vegetables is a great way to encourage healthy eating.
You could even invest in a toddler tool set. After all, it’s never too early to get kids interested in the healing powers of tending your own garden. Star Walk Kids has a range of really great gardening tools to get your little ones excited about all thing horticultural.
So, once you’ve got your kids involved in improving and enhancing your garden, you’ll want to think about child friendly flowers. Traditional favourites like Daisies, Lavenders and Sunflowers are a safe bet. Others, like Yew and Liliy-of-the-Valley are poisonous and can irritate eyes and skin, so it’s really important you do your homework. It’s also, of course, vital that if your garden has a pond you safely secure it with a grid or some netting, and while some decking can bring out the best in any garden, any that isn’t child friendly can become an issue, particularly in wet weather. There’s also no reason a child friendly garden can’t be a visually stunning garden also. Most kids love a slide or swing set, but, for instance, those in a timber style can create a more sophisticated look.
Additional Tips
A truly child friendly garden also requires a way to secure your tools safely. This also includes any chemicals you might have, but the right storage space is easy enough to install. A garden dining area might be worth thinking about too.
This is a space where all the family can come together, particularly during the summer months. As for the rest of the year, a sheltered space like a shed or a Wendy house is a great way of making sure kids stay keen to get out of the house into the fresh air, no matter the time of year.
What’s key is that a garden for kids doesn’t have to in any way exclude the adults. By arranging your outdoor space in fun and creative ways you can easily accommodate the whole family, making it a much more communal experience, which is better for everyone.
Encouraging your kids to get as involved as possible is undeniably great for their development. And this can happen right away, as you can get them to help in fixing the garden up before they go on and begin to plant and nurture their own flowers and vegetables. When that time comes, click here for an article filled with the best gardening tools your child will love.
Then, when they want to play, you can take yourself off to your assigned space, where you’ll be free to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
