When you have a house, often one of the parts that evokes the most pride is the garden. If you are someone that is into their gardening, you can spend hours sorting out the plants and making it an area that is nice to spend time in. Then children come along and it can feel like a spanner is thrown into the works. You want it to be a space that everyone can enjoy, without being devoid of character and looking like something from a kid’s playground. Here we have put together some tips for a family-friendly garden that is sure to help you out.
Let’s face it, while grass is pretty, it’s not the most practical, particularly in rainy weather (which happens a lot in the UK) when it can get muddy and dangerous. If you want the look of grass but want something safer and that won’t get messy when the weather isn’t on your side, it’s a good idea to look at artificial grass. You could opt for this in one area of your garden – such as a spot where your child wants to play football – or have it all over. It’s practical, easy to maintain and looks great.
Designate certain areas for different things
Whether you have a larger space or something a little smaller, it is a great idea to designate different areas of your garden for different things. This way you can enjoy your plants and flowerbeds while your kids can have a space to play and make more of a mess. Clearly designate different areas for different purposes and make it clear what each of these spaces are for. You could give your children a hand in designing their own little space and this will make them more likely to want to stick to playing in that part.
Ensure the garden is safe
Another very important part of having a family-friendly garden is ensuring that it is safe for everyone. This means you need to remove obstacles such as any trip hazards or electrical points that children could hurt themselves on. Check for any plants that might be poisonous and could cause their skin to react and any wildlife such as berries that they might be tempted to eat but might not be safe to do so. Check the fences are high enough, gates are secured and your little ones won’t be able to escape if you have them playing outdoors.
Think about adding a vegetable patch for everyone to get involved in
While you might want some flowerbeds to just be yours, your children might want to get involved in this. To avoid them wrecking your prized plants, consider adding a vegetable patch for everyone to get involved in. Not only will this mean that you have a hand with planting, but you can teach your little ones more about where food comes from and it could help encourage them with eating their dinner too. You can have them assist with everything from the initial choice of the fruits and vegetables to planting them, watering them and eventually picking them when the time is right.
Add outside lighting
There are many reasons to have lighting out in your garden and when you get a family, the list grows even longer. Outside lighting is great for adding an atmosphere to your space and means if you and your family wish to stay out in the evening, you can do so without being plunged into darkness. It also makes it much safer for getting around, seeing any potential hazards and avoiding accidents from occurring. You could get fairy lights to drape on your fence and trees or ones that you stake into your flowerbeds, the choice is yours!
These are just a few top tips for a family-friendly garden that is sure to make a real difference. Making a space that is well-suited for everyone can feel like a lot of hard work before you start, but once you get going you will find it’s a lot easier than you might have expected. Plan carefully and don’t be afraid to change your original plans as you go. It might be that something you thought would work ends up not being so effective, or you have a better idea once you get cracking. What are some top tips you have for creating a family-friendly garden? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
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Clare
Hi, I'm Clare (Emmy's Mummy). A former Nanny and Mother of 2 - Emmy (born February 2010) and Harry (born October 2012). We are Essex based and share our adventures and misadventures of a busy crazy life.
