We’re coming towards the tail-end of summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of it! Those August evenings are some of the hottest of the year, so there’s still plenty of time for playing in the garden. If you’ve got little ones, the outdoor area is often their favourite in the house. It’s such a healthier play-space than sitting them in front of the TV or video games. They’ll soak up the outdoors, and learn a little about nature and wildlife. Today, I’ll show you how to create a wonderful, child-friendly garden. Oh, and we’ve added a quick idea for the mums too!
I was sceptical about artificial grass. But, I have a friend with it, and you can barely tell the difference. Except now, she never has to get the lawn mower out! It stays perfectly green all year round. There are no pesky weeds to deal with, and it looks sharp and groomed every day. She got mine from George Hill building merchants, and my friend thinks she’ll never go back to real grass. The kids love it, and it’s easy maintenance!
2. Play Equipment
I don’t know about you, but my kids will turn anything into a game or play-thing. They’ll use the grass and pretend they’re on the moon. They’ll turn the patio area into a pirate ship (don’t fall into the shark-infested water!) But, they also love a traditional swing. I had one fitted at the bottom of the garden, and the kids love it. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a trampoline! If you’ve got younger children or toddlers, you can make do with a simple sandpit. It will keep them busy for hours, and help develop their motor skills.
3. Plants and Flowers
The garden is a fantastic way to teach your children about nature and the circle of life. It’s also a brilliant way to let them care for a living thing, and teach them responsibility. My children each have a small flower bed in the garden that’s theirs to look after. They need some prompting sometimes, but they’ve definitely built a sense of responsibility. Teach them about plants, flowers, and living things as you go.
4. Wildlife Features
As well as teaching them about plantlife, introduce them to the garden’s most popular critters. I bought a bird bath for the corner of the garden, for example. It encourages the birds to fly into the back yard, and the children love them. We also provide a little food for the hedgehogs as they wander through the garden at night. It’s a great way to show kids how animals make up part of the ecosystem, and you can explain the food-chain.
5. Wooden deck for you!
We’ve saved the best idea for last. A child-friendly garden is lovely, but you need space for yourself too! (Just don’t spend a fortune, it’s hardly worth having luxury items with kids around!) There’s nothing better than relaxing on the deck into the summer nights. Invite your friends over, open a bottle of wine and chat away under the stars. Perfect!
The trick to a child-friendly garden is easy maintenance and plenty to keep the kids interested. But, don’t forget about yourself either!
Rebecca x
Love all these ideas! I have been gardening with my minis and they love picking and eating the gems that they helped grow.
Great ideas, our garden is not very big but we have fit in a wendy house and mini trampoline that our 2 1/2 year old loves playing with. Its great to get them out playing in the garden when the weather is good! #MaternityMondays
We don’t have grass in our Garden- it’s more of a courtyard but it’s a good size and we have lots of plants and flowerbeds so I know when my baby girl is a toddler we’ll be able to learn more about nature and gardening 🙂 #MaternityMondays
Great ideas – thank you 🙂 We’re currently changing our garden, so will bare all of these in mind! #MaternityMondays
Helen x
http://treasureeverymoment01.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks for your comment Helen – good luck with the change x
great ideas especially the decking and the wine 🙂 we are just looking to do our garden so I need all the ideas I can get #MaternityMondays
Wow, great blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Thanks for posting. Happy gardening!
Important steps for child friendly garden.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you really realize what you are speaking about!
I love fake grass to, because it needs so little maintenance. I would rather spend time with my family, then doing tones of yard work. Have a great day.
Important Tips Here.I really appreciate it.
Hello Rebecca,
This is a great idea and tips. I like this very much. If our child friendly garden, their mind always joyful. Thanks for this important post.
Sam Edward recently posted…How to start a Garden for Beginners |Easy&Simple way
Best ever firm & gardening blog that I ever have seen. I just love your blog 7 follow all other gardening topics that you share on here. please keep it continue because I have a little garden & after reading your blog I am getting so many new strategies…
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Responding to comments really gives the sense of community to readers, it really shows them that you care about your readers and that your not some robot behind a keyboard. I think it is my favorite tip on this list. Good work!
Thanks for the information about artificial turf! I would be sure to ask a professional about the pros and cons of each. I am seriously thinking about installing turf in my yard. This will reduce my water bill.
In my opinion, every home needs a little bit of garden at least. Because if you made a garden, your children will learn everything about natural resources. Thus, it is really important to make garden a child friendly place. Thanks for sharing!
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This is really a great article and a great read for me. It’s my first visit to your blog and I have found it so useful and informative. Thank you
Just a Great Article.
Sometimes, a child friendly garden can actually be indoors in the form of potted plants and herbs.
Nina recently posted…Step by step: creating an amazing indoor fairy garden