Five Top Tips To Make Your Garden Child Friendly

*Collaborative Post

Our gardens are perfect places for our children to run around and play, but at the same time there are obstacles that do need overcoming, largely around their health and safety.

There are many hazards that can appear around the garden, from hard floors to ponds, and even the opportunity to escape, but making the space child friendly isn’t too difficult either.

As the summer approaches you may be getting towards the first year in which your little ones can start playing in the garden, so here are five top tips for childproofing the space…

Choose Safe and Durable Flooring

Of course, underfoot is one of the most important things as, let’s face it, falls are quite likely. Soft surfaces such as grass or clover lawn and rubber mulch can be a good option, but don’t feel like you need to create the entire space that way.

You’ll want a space in the garden for yourself too, so there’s no reason why you can’t lay porcelain floor tiles or limestone slabs for example. These are good for other activities for children like playing with toys or water as they’re both water resistant and durable.

You will probably want to avoid rougher materials such as stones and gravel, and if you are opting for real grass, be aware of the maintenance around it and that during wet periods it could get damaged as a result of playing.

Create Defined Play Zones

To negate the various floorings you may want, you could also create different play zones, with designated areas for things like swings, slides, mud kitchens and climbing frames, as well as sandboxes.

There should also be cosy spots for quieter activities, such as arts and crafts. By defining zones like this, you can negate certain dangers, encouraging the correct type of play in the correct areas as well as encouraging your child to enjoy a range of activities.

Incorporate Child Safe Features

A good idea can be to incorporate various child safe features into your garden that stimulate curiosity and learning. Planting a sensory garden, for example, with bright flowers, textured plants and fragrant herbs can engage a child’s senses. Alongside this, make space for them to do the things you do too, so add child sized furniture, like tables and small benches for them to sit and enjoy activities and being in your company.

Ensure Adequate Safety Measures

Ahead of summer go around your garden and think about what the potential hazards could be. Then think about how you can remove those hazards. For example, removing any poisonous plants may be required, while locking away any garden tools or putting them out of reach may also be an important step.

Inspect play equipment so it’s ready for the season, while you may want to gate off any areas that could also pose a risk.

Encourage Learning and Exploration

Encourage outdoor learning by incorporating elements that spark curiosity and creativity. Install a small vegetable patch where children can learn about growing plants and healthy eating. Label plants with informative signs or create a simple weather station for observing changes in the environment. Incorporate natural materials like logs, stones, and tree stumps for climbing, balancing, and imaginative play. By nurturing a sense of wonder and discovery, you transform your garden into an outdoor classroom for children to explore and learn.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.

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