Gardens are perhaps the most versatile room in our homes. I say room because that is the way most people think of their backyards these days. There are many designs to choose from when considering how a garden should look, but one thing that many people have to consider, is making their garden child friendly. This naturally involves making the garden safe as well as fun to play in. If your desire is to have a plot that could win the Chelsea Flower Show, carefully groomed and perfectly arranged, but you have children, I have some bad news for you. Kids love to play hard, and you should consider setting your plans back a few years until the little cherubs have grown. Until that time, it is best to admit defeat and work with it.
We will take a look here, at a few things you would like to consider that will help to keep your children happy and safe in your garden until they are older.
Garden Pond
There is a balance to be reached between safety and fun in respect to the pond. Obviously, the danger of drowning is ever present. Kids do love water and catching little creatures with a net is great fun. Would you consider making your pond much shallower? Just a few inches deep would improve safety greatly. Even then, the children should never be left to play unsupervised around water. Another alternative is to fill the pond with sand, for the next few years at least. Kids do love digging.
Sun Damage
We have been made aware these days, of the serious long term damage the sun caused to the skin. Children need a place to sit and play in the shade outdoors. Building a playhouse or pergola will give a solution to this problem. Playhouses and pergola kits are easy to find online or in shops for a very reasonable price.
Play Equipment
All gardens need a swing and slide as standard play equipment. These items can cause the lawn to suffer with bald patches thanks to dragging feet. There are some safety flooring solutions available that are soft and tough. Made from recycled tyres, this flooring will help minimise injury should a child fall while at the same time cutting down on muddy patches around the equipment.
Plants
Thorny plants such as roses and many shrubs will need to be changed out for less harmful varieties. This isn’t a big job, so it is easily accomplished. Maybe you have a large tree in the garden. Having it inspected by a professional tree surgeon may give you peace of mind in knowing that no large branches are about to drop and cause injury.
Security
A safe garden also has to be a secure one. Rest easy in the knowledge that your children can’t escape and no-one can gain easy entry into your garden by installing a tall fence and a solid, locked, gate. A fence consisting of a twelve inch concrete gravel board with six foot good quality fence panels is usually adequate protection.
Keeping our children safe, occupied, and happy is a natural part of our job as parents. Yes, you may have to sacrifice some elements of your garden for a few years but it is all worth it in the long run. You are well advised to buy a camera to record that time the children spend playing, as it is all over too quickly thanks to the march of time.
Take what you can from this and let your imagination do the rest. Have fun with it.
