Creating a Child Friendly Garden
A Garden for Everyone
When your purchasing or building a new family home you want it to be something that everyone can use and enjoy. Catering to the needs of small children, teenagers and our four legged fur babies. If you are the type of person that needs everything neat and tidy but you want the kids to explore and play you often need somewhere to store all the balls, toys and general clutter that comes with family life.
A garden well planned can cater for everyone, you just need to know where to start.
Here are some tips on making a family friendly garden one everyone wants to spend time in.
Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery from Pexels
Creating Zones
I often create zones when designing family friendly gardens, I like these zones to blend into each other so that you really don’t see where they start or finish for a harmonious look. I use mounding to help soften the profile of kids play areas particularly if the play equipment is large and imposing.
I also like to use lawns to offset planting areas, its also the the perfect spot for kicking balls around and playing catch. Selecting the right type of lawn (turf) really depends on your site and climate. It’s a good idea to research ‘What Turf is the Best for WA Climates?’ This means you won’t be left wondering if you’ve made the right decision. Using zones means that you can create storage solutions integrated into that particular space, helping reduce clutter and the constant trekking things in and out of the house or garage.
Think of Storage Solutions
A big part of creating a space you want to spend time is having it feel de-cluttered. It’s a good idea to think of practical storage solutions that can be used to keep your kids toys in when they’re not being played with. You can invest in a shed or summer house, as well as things like outside storage bins. Think about how many things you have to tidy away, how much you want to spend on these and where you want the storage to go. Here in this garden a play house acts as storage for sand pit toys!
Photography by Simon Griffiths
Creating a children’s garden doesn’t need to cost a fortune, using natural materials, up cycling and selecting super hardy native plants that don’t mind being trampled on is key to your success. Here, I have created a sand pit with rock boulders, surrounded by super tough low water usage plants; Lomandra ‘Tanika’, Dianella ‘Little Rev’, Dianella admixta and Poa labillardierei.
Connecting with nature is the quickest way to help your children self regulate. Leaving you more time to relax and unwind and enjoy your garden.
Photography by Marnie Hawson
If you need more inspiration on making a family friendly garden I have curated some great ideas for you on Pinterest. You can also get hold of my FREE guide ‘Hardy Plants For Low Maintenance’ that will help you select some robust plants to get you started. Be sure to sign up to our newsletter to get a regular dose of garden inspo.
Child Friendly Plants
A list of my proven toughest plants for dry climates which are low maintenance and family friendly. I have also included tips on how to select the right plants for you!
Looking for someone to hold your hand and help you design your garden, check out my Online Course ‘Design Your Dream Garden’.