Create the Ultimate Kid Friendly Garden.

Photo by Andy Kuzma from Pexels

{collaborative content} If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, it’s a great idea to turn it into a relaxing area that the entire family can enjoy. Life’s so busy when you have kids and you’re expected to spend every free minute visiting soft play centres or parks. By making your garden child-friendly, you always have a place for them to play safely outside. Whether you’re intending to do a complete garden overhaul or just spruce up your existing garden, these tips will get you started.

Make it safe and secure

Plants - make sure you remove any poisonous plants and nettles. Children will put anything in their mouths if given the chance so make sure there’s nothing that can make them really ill. Check out this list of poisonous garden plants so you know what to look for https://blog.fantasticgardeners.co.uk/17-toxic-plants-in-your-garden/.

Devote space to a play area

As the garden is for the entire family, you’ll want some areas devoted to different things. Have a designated play area when you can put the kid’s swings, slides, mud kitchen or trampolines.

This frees up other areas of your garden to devote to relaxing or entertaining.

Giving your garden a kid-friendly makeover may seem like a lot of work but it will be worth it. Your kids will love their new space and will have so many happy times playing in the garden.  

Water features - families with young children shouldn’t have water features or any areas where water collects. Toddlers have no fear of water and it’s just not worth the risk.

Security - you don’t want your kids escaping through a gap in the fence or hedge. Make sure your garden is secure so that no one can get in or out unless you want them to.

Lighting - in your mind’s eye, you’re probably imagining long summer days spent in your garden with family and friends. The reality is, that’s not going to happen very often. During the darker months, you’ll need to think about lighting so you can enjoy your garden even when the sun isn’t shining. Most garden centres stock pretty solar lamps that you can scatter throughout your garden and create a lovely effect when the sun goes down or stronger solar light like this one https://www.lumenalights.com/shop/product/hiway-pir-motion-sensor-solar-light/ that also provides some security light features too.

Using solar means that you don’t have potentially dangerous cables to contend with. Plus you’ll save on electricity.

Use artificial grass

You’ll want a lawn for your kids to run around and play ball games on. This is where artificial grass is your best friend. New products are coming out all the time that look and feel more like natural grass.

While having artificial grass is more expensive initially, you’ll save time and money as its really easy to maintain. You don’t need to mow it, weed it or water it. It’s much easier to clean (great if you have pets) and a bit of rain won’t turn it into a mudbath.

You’ll be amazed how artificial grass can transform your garden. Have a look at some of these amazing before and after photos for inspiration https://neograss.co.uk/10-garden-transformations-using-artificial-grass/.