Creating a magical outdoor children's garden space for your little one to enjoy is a brilliant idea for the spring and summer months. From secret dens to miniature ponds, there are endless ways to make your garden an enchanting haven for children to explore safely. Whether you're looking for ways to get your older children growing their own veggies or want to encourage your toddlers to get out into the fresh air, we've compiled some brilliant ideas for small and large garden spaces to entertain every child.Plant asensory garden
©Sensory garden dg2design
To create a toddler-friendly garden to enjoy sensory play, youneed to choose robust plants that are safe for hands-on fun. Herbssmell amazing and will withstand endless plucking by little hands, as will shrubs such as lavender and buddleia. Cosmos is colourful, fast-growing and picking the flowers just encourages more to bloom. Lamb’s-ear has thick grey leaves that feel super-silky to touch. Or how about planting greater quaking grass, which rustles in the slightest breeze?Make a hill-and-hole
©garden hill beafunmum
A ‘hill-and-hole’ takes just an hour and a roll of turf to create, but you’ll be amazed at how many ways it will inspire your toddler to play, from mastering the wobbly artof walking up and down a hill, to rolling balls and cars. To make a hill-and-hole in your lawn, attach a short stick and a sharp knife to the opposite ends of a half-metre length of string. Poke the stick into the ground and, keeping the string taut, cut a metre-wide circle into the grass. Then make another adjacent circle. Use a spade tolift out the two circles of turf and keep them to one side. Remove soil from one circle to create a shallow hollow, heaping it up on the other circle to create a mound. Tread in the soil to compress, then re-lay the turf, using cuttings from a roll of turf to cover any bare areas. Water thoroughly. Don’t walk on it or allow it to dry out until the grass shows healthy growth.Create an outdoor kitchen
©kids outdoor kitchen pinterest
Your toddler may already have a wooden play kitchen inside, but they'll still prefer concocting meals in an outdoor cook-station, just like you enjoy a BBQ more than cooking inside. Attach a couple of wide sections of wood to a wall to make shelves and paint on a couple of circles to act as hobs. Stack with a few old pots, pans and wooden spoons, and you have a kitchen that will entertain them for hours. Stocking up on ingredientsis just as much fun as doing the cooking. Your toddlermight come back from a walk in the woods with a pocketful of pinecones, bring a bucket of shells from the beach, or fill a tub with grass clippings when the lawn is mown. Pebbles, leaves, seed heads and soil all make for great cookingitems, and if you’re feeling really brave,add a bucket of water anda plastic jug to the mix. Handling and mixing all these different textures is a sensory experience to boost their imaginative play and they'll learnall about cause and effectas they tip the contents ofone pot into another.Get thechalks out
©Princess Pinky Girl garden chalk board
A deck is perfect for drawing on, as long as you don’tmind a mess, or turn a fence into a huge art station. To make your chalk board wall, screw a piece of external plywood board firmly to the fence, and cover it with two coats of an exterior blackboard paint, using a roller to get a smooth finish. Add a bucket of oversized chalks and let your toddler loose to exercise their imagination. They'll develop their fine motor skills too, and having an oversized canvas to create masterpieces will increase their confidence in mark-making.Plant a fairy ring
©Fairy garden - only in your state pinterest
Got daisies in your lawn? Transplant them in the shape of a big circle to make a fairy ring for your youngster to play in. Use a knife to loosen the soil around the daisy plant, being careful to lift its leaves and roots too, and cut a slit in the grass to plant it in its new fairy-ring spot, and water well. Daisies are perennial, which means they'll grow year after year, so your fairy ring will last more than a summer. Alternatively, create an enchanting fairy garden in your outdoor space for hours of imaginative play.Build a den
©kids play den whippersnappers online
We can still remember the excitement of building your own secret den as a child. If you're keen to give your child a helping hand with theirs, they're surprisingly easy to make. Start with some lightweight tarpaulin with eyelets, a few tentpegs and a bungee cord. Attach the top of the tarpaulin to a fence, then peg the bottom out to make a cosy den; suspend it just above toddler head height for an airy but out-of-the-sun picnic. Or peg it over the washing line for an instant tent.Swapsand forgravel
©Sand box and gravel pit pinterest
If you’ve got a sandpit table, and your childhas passed the stage of putting everythingin their mouth, try bagging up the sand and tipping in fine gravel (check it’s child-safe first) instead. Add some toy dumper trucks anda digger and their mini-building site is complete. Alternate between the sand and gravel every month, and your tot will use the pit far more frequently, as it will make for a whole new sensory experience. Try filling it with watertoo, or in varying combinations of sand,gravel and water.Choose child-friendly plants
©Stocksy united pinterest child friendly flowers
If you've got children playing around in an outdoor space then it's essential to make sure all the plants and flowers are safe for children to touch. Always avoid plants that are poisonous or known skin irritants. As a general rule, we'd avoid lily of the valley, daffodils, and foxgloves. Plants including lavender, marigolds, chives, sunflowers, dahlia and daisies are all safe for children if they touch them or even put them in their mouth. Check theRoyal Horticultural Society’s list of potentially harmful garden plants at rhs.org.ukCreate a cabin space
©pinterest kids outdoor cabin
If your kids love a chill-out space in the garden where you can pop some outdoor blankets and cushions then why not erect a cosy little cabin in the garden? These can act as a spot to warm up in the winter with a hot cocoa or a place to enjoy a cold drink and rest on hot summer days.Dedicate a space for play
©kids climbing frame capital play pinterest
While not every garden has the space for a climbing frame and play zone, if you are blessed with a bigger outdoor space then we'd recommend treating them to an outdoor climbing frame with a slide. Safety is key when it comes to safe spaces for climbing, so make sure that the climbing frame is on a good stable base, with the foundations and footing buried. You might want to incorporate a slide, climbing frame, pole and rope swing to help develop their motor skills, imaginative play and their bravery when it comes to taking risks.Encourage wildlife to visit
©wildlife house pinterest freemans
Teaching your children about the importance of biodiversity and the important part insects and animals have to play in our environment is a great lesson to teach our little ones. Get your kids to help you put up bird boxes, make bird seed balls, insect hotels and introduce plants to your garden that bees and butterflies particularly love such as lavender, mint, pansies, peonies, sunflowers and snowdrops.Add a small pond
©Container pond pinterest
We know how difficult it is to build a pond, but container ponds can be a much easier option for little gardeners to maintain. Simply use an old bucket, watering can or large unwanted bowl as your pond. Add a layer of stones and gravel to the bottom of the container. For larger containers, you might want to add different levels like a large stone. Add some pond plants and then fill up your container. It's best to fill this with rainwater if possible.Make a mud kitchen
©mud kitchen thimble and twig pinterest
We love a mud kitchen here at Mother&Baby. They can keep kids entertained for hours and they're fun to play in all year round. An outdoor mud kitchen is ideal for messy play and means all the mess can stay outside while leaving your kids free to explore. The kitchen part is because tots are encouraged to 'cook' with the mud so give up your old unwanted pots and pans for them to play with. Alternatively, there are plenty of mud kitchens you can buy that come with all the equipment you need.Grow your own
©Kids veggie patch garden season pinterest.jpg
Veggie patches are a great addition to any garden, but especially if you're wanting to teach your kids about the benefits of growing your own veg. It can be very rewarding for them to see all their hard work paying off and be able to eat their own produce. Opt for fruit and veggies that don't take long to grow (children's attention spans won't stick around for veg that takes a while). Courgettes, tomatoes and carrots work well as things for children to grow.Start a compost heap
©Compost charlie gerken pinterest
If you're having a veggie patch, then you might also want a compost heap. Piling up all your food waste and garden waste and waiting for the worms to arrive and turn everything into the soil is rather disgusting and fascinating for toddlers. Get little ones involved by building their own little compost heap.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Creating a magical outdoor children's garden space for your little one to enjoy is a brilliant idea for the spring and summer months. From secret dens to miniature ponds, there are endless ways to make your garden an enchanting haven for children to explore safely. Whether you're looking for ways to get your older children growing their own veggies or want to encourage your toddlers to get out into the fresh air, we've compiled some brilliant ideas for small and large garden spaces to entertain every child.
Sensory Garden
To create a toddler-friendly garden for sensory play, it is recommended to choose robust plants that are safe for hands-on fun. Some examples of plants that are safe for children to touch and interact with include herbs, lavender, buddleia, cosmos, lamb's-ear, and greater quaking grass [[1]].
Hill-and-Hole
A "hill-and-hole" is a simple and fun addition to a garden that can inspire toddlers to play. To create a hill-and-hole, you can attach a short stick and a sharp knife to the opposite ends of a half-meter length of string. By cutting circles into the grass and creating a shallow hollow and a mound, you can create a hill-and-hole that toddlers can enjoy for various activities such as walking up and down, rolling balls, and cars [[2]].
Outdoor Kitchen
An outdoor kitchen can be a great addition to a garden for toddlers to enjoy imaginative play. By attaching wide sections of wood to a wall to make shelves and adding a couple of circles as hobs, you can create a kitchen area for your toddler. Stocking up on ingredients such as pinecones, shells, grass clippings, pebbles, leaves, seed heads, and soil can enhance their sensory experience and boost their imaginative play [[3]].
Chalkboard Wall
A chalkboard wall can provide a creative outlet for toddlers in the garden. By screwing a piece of external plywood board to a fence and covering it with exterior blackboard paint, you can create a space for your toddler to draw and exercise their imagination. This activity can help develop their fine motor skills and increase their confidence in mark-making [[4]].
Fairy Ring or Fairy Garden
Creating a fairy ring or fairy garden can add a touch of enchantment to your outdoor space. You can transplant daisies in the shape of a big circle to make a fairy ring for your youngster to play in. Alternatively, you can create an enchanting fairy garden with various elements such as miniature houses, plants, and accessories [[5]].
Den Building
Building a secret den can be an exciting activity for children. Lightweight tarpaulin with eyelets, tent pegs, and a bungee cord can be used to create a cosy den. The tarpaulin can be attached to a fence or suspended from a washing line to provide a space for children to play and relax [[6]].
Sand and Gravel Pit
If your child has outgrown a sandpit table, you can try replacing the sand with fine gravel. This can create a whole new sensory experience for your child. By adding toy dumper trucks and a digger, your child can enjoy a mini-building site in the garden [[7]].
Child-Friendly Plants
When choosing plants for your garden, it is important to consider their safety for children. Plants such as lavender, marigolds, chives, sunflowers, dahlias, and daisies are safe for children to touch and interact with. However, it is best to avoid plants that are poisonous or known skin irritants, such as lily of the valley, daffodils, and foxgloves [[8]].
Cosy Cabin
A cosy cabin can provide a chill-out space for children in the garden. By adding outdoor blankets and cushions, you can create a comfortable spot for your children to relax and enjoy a drink or snack [[9]].
Climbing Frame and Play Zone
If you have a larger outdoor space, a climbing frame with a slide can be a great addition for children to enjoy active play. Safety is key when installing a climbing frame, so make sure it is on a stable base with proper foundations and footing [[10]].
Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Teaching children about biodiversity and the importance of insects and animals in the environment can be a valuable lesson. You can involve your children in activities such as putting up bird boxes, making bird seed balls, creating insect hotels, and planting flowers that attract bees and butterflies [[11]].
Container Pond
Creating a pond in the garden can be challenging, but a container pond can be a simpler option. Using an old bucket, watering can, or large bowl, you can create a small pond by adding stones, gravel, pond plants, and rainwater. This can provide a habitat for aquatic life and add an interesting element to your garden [[12]].
Mud Kitchen
A mud kitchen can provide hours of messy play for children. You can create an outdoor mud kitchen using old pots and pans or by purchasing a ready-made mud kitchen. This activity allows children to explore and engage in sensory play while developing their creativity [[13]].
Veggie Patch and Compost Heap
Growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding experience for children. You can create a veggie patch and involve your children in planting and caring for vegetables that are quick to grow, such as courgettes, tomatoes, and carrots. Additionally, having a compost heap can teach children about recycling and the natural cycle of decomposition [[14]].
These ideas can help you create a magical outdoor children's garden space that will entertain and engage your little ones. Remember to prioritize safety and choose activities and plants that are suitable for your child's age and development. Enjoy the process of creating a special place for your child to explore and play in the fresh air!
