When you have small children, it’s essential to have a garden that is safe, secure and geared towards their needs. If your garden is set to undergo a re-development in the near future, it’s important to know how to create an outdoor space that’s suitable for your children, always keeping functionality in mind. Your garden will need to be a place where they can play happily without danger, as they will likely be spending a great deal of time outdoors during the warmer months. This blog will give you some key points to consider on how to create a kid-friendly garden:
1. Safety first
Your number one priority for creating a kid-friendly garden is safety, which is dependent on the age of your children. If you have toddlers for example, it wouldn’t be advisable to have any form of water feature in reach (whether that be a pond, bird bath or ornament) as small children can potentially drown in just a couple of inches of water.
It would also be a good idea to install fencing around the entirety of your outdoor space to keep your little ones safe from intruders or potentially going for a roam when your attention is away for a few seconds. Gabion stone wall fencing would be the most suitable option, as it’s solid, secure and sustainable. While all children are different, it’s always best to take the necessary precautions – your child might be very sensible but their friends may not be.
2. Plan for play equipment
If you’re about to hard landscape your entre back garden, one of the aspects you may have thought about is where to locate a play area for the kids. In this case, you may need the assistance of a landscape designer to create a final plan that makes the most of the space on offer. One of the key aspects to consider is ensuring there is a section of ground that allows for a soft landing (especially underneath play equipment) such as the likes of the lawn, bark chips or rubber mats to prevent injuries.
3. Planting choices
You may never have considered the importance of choosing plants carefully when there are small children around, however, some can be extremely dangerous. Berry plants should always be avoided as little fingers may pick off poisonous berries and potentially consume them. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of those with thorns including the likes of roses, holly and hyacinths. Before incorporating new plants into your garden, always check for any existing plants that may be hazardous or toxic to avoid medical emergencies– if you buy from a garden centre plants usually have labels attached with any warnings that might be relevant.
You may also like to think carefully about plants that are extremely fragile and may not survive during boisterous play – it may only take one accidental smash of a ball to completely de-flower these types of plants, therefore sturdy shrubs may be a more suitable choice.
4. Encourage gardening
The younger your children are, the more easily you’ll be able to encourage them to participate in gardening. An exciting activity you can enjoy as a family is to plant your own vegetable patch and watch your creations grow before eating them within healthy meals.
