It’s January, it’s cold and it’s hard enough to get ourselves out in the garden, let alone those children who like nothing more than being indoors with their favourite game and the TV remote.
Of course, there are plenty of children out there who love nothing more than getting outside in the fresh air and letting off plenty of steam, however, for those that need a little more encouragement, here’s some garden ideas that will encourage the kids to spend more time outdoors.
Ideal garden teasers for the winter, spring, summer and autumn, check out these 10 child-friendly garden ideas to get the kids outside:
1. Outdoor kitchen sink
Whether you decide to purchase an outdoor sink, or decide to make your own using an old sink (these can often be found at recycling centres or second-hand shops) and a wooden bench, the children will enjoy doing ‘the dishes’ outside!
What’s great about the outdoor sink is the fact that it can be used for water play, sand and other discovery objects.
What’s more, all kids will love being the head chef of a mud kitchen! With creepy crawlies, leaves, twigs and sticks on the menu!
2. Water bottle sprinkler
Re-use an old plastic bottle and poke holes into the bottom of it, attach the top to the garden hose and there you have your very own garden sprinkler. Perfect for children to play with in the summer and, of course, they can use it to help you water the plants!
3. Vegetable garden
Growing your own vegetables as a family is a great way of getting the children involved with gardening and can educate them when it comes to healthy eating and organic produce.
There are many different vegetables that can be planted throughout the year to keep you and the children busy all year round!
Leek, broad bean, cabbage, carrot and aubergine seeds are a few varieties of seeds that can be sewn in January for a hardy crop.
If you do not have a vegetable garden in your garden yet, then take a look at Floral and Hardy’s steps on how to start a vegetable garden from scratch.
4. Build a slug farm
A slug farm is a natural and sustainable method of getting rid of garden pests and, what’s more, your children will love creating a slug farm and learn more about insects.
You can make a slug, or snail, farm by cutting the top off a plastic bottle, putting weeds or lettuce leaves in it and burying it ever so slightly in the soil.
When the slugs and snails enter, you can then put them elsewhere, of course, observing them with the children before setting them free.
5. Have a bird table
Get the children on board helping you feed the birds on your very own bird table. What’s great is where the bird table can be viewed from a window in the house, so the children can keep an eye on the type of birds entering the garden.
6. Have a plant of the month
Why not plant a new plant each month? Whether it is a tree, flower, vegetable or other type of plant, make sure it is suitable for the season and watch it grow with your children throughout the year. It’s great if they can be part of the process of choosing the plant or seed and, also, in looking after it and watching it grow.
7. Sweeping leaves and crafting with the children
Get younger children out sweeping up the leaves, placing the mulch in the composter and saving some leaves for crafting with.
As long as they’re all wrapped up in a warm coat, they’ll enjoy having a garden project and will be a useful helper for you too!
8. Get the trampoline out!
Whether you keep the trampoline undercover in the garage or have it outside throughout the year, a trampoline offers fantastic exercise and loads of fun for the kids!
We understand it may not be an ideal object for all gardens, specifically if your garden is small, but there are many sizes of trampoline that can be pulled out especially for the weekend or an hour or so after school.
9. Outdoor chalkboards
Why not add a few chalkboards to the fence of your garden and spark the children’s creativity? There’s no more inspiring location than the garden of course!
10. Outdoor games and play equipment
Whether you’ve got space for a simple slide or an entire jungle gym, having outdoor play equipment is a great way of getting the children to enjoy the outdoors (particularly when its not raining of course!).
And if you haven’t got a play area, then why not invent some outdoor games? Hide and seek, Stuck in the Mud and Treasure Hunts are just a few game ideas!
Child Friendly Garden Designs from Floral and Hardy
If you would like some advice on making your garden more child-friendly, then why not speak to us at Floral and Hardy?
We have experience in designing and creating family gardens that encourage children to spend more time outdoors.
