My Favourite Design Ideas For A Family Friendly Garden

My kiddos and I spend a lot of time at home. With such a big family, we really do have to make the most of every corner and space we can find. In the summer, you can find us out in the garden most of the time. Play is really important to us, so we make the most of the good weather to roll about and scream and shout. There are so many toys and games to make use of too. Best of all, there is plenty of nature around to learn more about.

The last time it was sunny, we spent a good couple of hours learning about the wind. The girls were saying it was hot and asking me how they could cool down. This was such a great opportunity to learn about the weather. I set up the water play set, and we left a bowl of water on the ground with a mark to show where the water line was. I loved seeing their faces when nearly all the water was gone a few hours later!

Some water also got spilled on the path. We sat and watched it for a while. The edges started to dry, and even some ants came by to check on its progress! I love the girls learning lessons this way. And we all got to enjoy a fantastic day in the garden. Of course, there is something to be said for having a desk and somewhere to sit and draw once in awhile! This got me thinking about how I might design a dream garden that suits my whole family.

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When you have a large family, there never seems to be enough space to cater for everybody all the time. If you add a pet into the mix, then you could really be struggling! Dogs and rabbits need some garden space to themselves to run around and do their business. But there is no way I want my kids rolling around in their mess! Creating a doggy patch is as easy as putting in a low-level fence. It keeps the dog in his area, and the out of the kids play area.

Kids play areas are so much fun to build. If you have tiny tots, you might want to make it a gated area to keep them secure and safe from other hazards in the garden. The surface you choose is quite important to their safety and the usability of the area after heavy rain. Your lawn could be adequate if it is quick draining. Artificial grass can be a better choice if your garden gets a bit boggy.

Artificial grass doesn’t have any of the mud or insects regular lawns suffer with, and you never have to mow it. But if the thought of something artificial in your garden makes you cringe, then you could try play bark as a safe surface. It gets very muddy and mucky but provides a softer landing after a tumble than your lawn might.

For my dream kids garden, I think I would have a little flower garden they can tend, and a cute playhouse. Maybe when they’re bigger, they can all play in a real tree house, climbing and swinging. Their water play table would be there, and some ride-on toys to scoot about. Best of all, there would be a mini football pitch for them to play on.

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When it comes to the evenings, I think I would like some gorgeous wooden benches in a circle around my fire pit. There would, of course, be a built in stand for the guitar, and perhaps some windbreakers to keep the chill off my neck when it’s breezy. We would all sit there as the sun sets, singing songs and nursery rhymes until bedtime. It’s one of my favourite things to do with the rest of the family, so this area needs to be quite special.

Flickr is the source of the image

I love flowers and wildflowers. I have some in the garden now, but my dream garden would be more like a natural meadow with something new springing up every day. I like the idea of growing my own vegetables. I think it’s essential the kids learn how to do this too. A good sized vegetable patch and some containers would be ideal. I’ve even been thinking about a greenhouse to extend the season for produce.

Of course, once we’ve grown all those fat vegetables, we need somewhere amazing to eat them. I’m a firm believer that eating outdoors makes for a better meal. An outdoor room and dining area would be perfect. There would be some heaters, or maybe a chiminea to keep us warm in the Autumn. And there would be an amazing wooden dining set.

I think a dining set for twelve would be ideal because I’ve always got friends and extended family popping in. I love to entertain and dish up some hearty home-grown food. I’d prop the kids up on some garden seat cushions, and we would all tuck in and enjoy each other’s company. I think it’s important for the kids to join in with these social occasions, and I’m not keen to avoid eating with them at meal times.

One of the most important uses for any garden is a place of relaxation. Some people like Zen gardens and others practice T’ai Chi or Yoga. I would love a little arbor or garden arch to sit in and read a book once in awhile. A little bit of peace and quiet to listen to the bird song can go a very long way in our busy household. Maybe a tree seat would be ideal. It would be shady, and you can feel like you’re a part of the tree itself.

If only the British weather were good enough to enjoy such a dream garden all year round! Of course, Autumn and Winter bring plenty of garden fun too. Jumping in piles of leaves, and building snowmen are fun activities for the garden later in the year. I can’t wait!